Student Profile: Meera Trivedi, DPSS’20

A current second-year student at Krea University in South India, Meera Trivedi’s interest in public policy stems from her exposure to distinct cultures and traditions. Having been inspired and surrounded by family members throughout India who are heavily involved in social work, Trivedi hopes to make education more accessible to historically marginalized groups.

At Krea University, Trivedi is pursuing a joint degree in History and Politics, her studies reflecting an intersection of her interests in both humanities and policy. And although she furthered her interest in policy and government at Krea University when she co-founded the school’s first student government organization, The Constituent Council, she realized she wanted more direct engagement with public policy topics—and the ability to measure impact.

The Data and Policy Summer Scholar (DPSS) Credential Program, Trivedi says, provided just the opportunity she was seeking.

“What especially drew me to the DPSS program was the ability to analyze the implications of decisions that affect others. Through DPSS I was able to gain insight into a data-driven approach to public policy that I had never been exposed to at school.”

Trivedi also said the virtual format of the program was beneficial. “Not only did I receive the academic support I needed from the teaching staff while taking classes in Mumbai, I especially appreciated the flexibility of the office hours with the teaching assistants. They were easily able to accommodate my time zone.

“Plus, in addition to being brilliant, the faculty members were extremely approachable and understanding. They pushed us to think for ourselves and come back to discuss our solutions. Beyond the academic rigor of the program, the environment they created was very warm and welcoming.” 

Moving forward, Trivedi would like to work in a policy-related field—either academically or professionally. Although she is still thinking through her specific career path, she knows she wants to tailor interventions to unique circumstances in order to contribute to the betterment of others’ lives. Using the skillset she has built through the  DPSS Credential Program, Trivedi plans to utilize data and statistics to look at issues on a micro-level in order to inform decisions on a macro-level. 

She also applies her academic work in the volunteering she does in her free time: tutoring at local orphanages. “Actively contributing to making education—especially the kind that is not taught or available in classrooms—more accessible is an issue I’m deeply passionate about.”

She has also been able to connect with and help others through her involvement with local peer mentor programs over the past four years.

When asked what she considered her key takeaway from her DPSS experience, Trivedi said, “Building community. Take every opportunity to engage with the people around you, sign up for office hours, talk to faculty. You learn a lot just being around people who are passionate, and yes, a little bit nerdy. Enjoy the moments of awe that everyone shares when seeing a really interesting graph—and participate in that excitement. You would be hard-pressed to find a community of people more genuinely passionate, welcoming, and kind.”