Akash was a Re-founding father of the Alpha Gamma Chapter during the fall of 2011. He enjoyed hosting their chapter’s inaugural Empathy Dinner as well as serving the Greek community as an Associate Justice for the IFC Judicial Board. After graduating in May of 2014, he launched a new nonprofit in Oklahoma City, Aspiring Americans, in order to serve other immigrant students like him. Akash finally became a U.S. citizen later in 2014 after navigating the immigration system for over 20 years. Through Aspiring Americans, Akash has worked to serve other immigrants who want to contribute their talents and passions to American society by raising over $170,000 for resources such as grants and scholarships, creating Oklahoma’s first training program for educators about opportunities for immigrant students, and helping coordinate legal clinics and community workshops. Akash was also named a recipient of the 2016 Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans, marking the first year that anyone from Oklahoma has ever won the prestigious award. He plans to use this fellowship to attend law school in the fall of 2016 at the University of Michigan.
Advice for students and young alumni:
“Do not worry about following the perfect plan for your academic life or professional career. If you follow opportunities for the right reasons and cultivate meaningful relationships with mentors, friends, and alumni, your path will fall into place.”