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The Lasting Impact of a Dynamic Duo
What happens when two vibrant, relentlessly ambitious women hold top student-leadership positions? An elevated campus experience that benefits everyone.
Such was the case with Harkiran Kaur Bhullar ’24 as the Student Government Association’s executive president and Nidhi Kumar ’24 as senior class president.
“Nidhi and Harkiran have fully taken advantage of the student-life experience while holding up their academic stature,” said Nick Luchko, associate dean of students for engagement and leadership. “They’re model students for anyone who wants to get involved, but also cares deeply about their academics.”
It’s no secret that Bhullar, a computer science and business management graduate, and Kumar, a biology graduate, have become two highly involved members of the DeSales community.
They began their undergraduate careers in 2020 when the world was still grappling with the unprecedented impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Kumar recalled the uncertainty of this time, and how it made her weary to dive into student life headfirst.
“I had always known that wherever I went, I wanted to be a part of the action,” said Kumar, who is from Massachusetts. “But being the strange year that 2020 was, I needed a bit of a push. I got that push from my Character U mentor, Lynsey Hunt.”
Kumar credits Hunt, a 2022 marketing and healthcare administration graduate who recently completed the MBA program, with inspiring her to get involved with Character U, the student engagement and leadership office, and, consequentially, most opportunities since.
“She had recognized a potential in me that I had missed in myself and helped me to get to where I am today. Even now, there are days where I reach out to her as a voice of reason and advice,” said Kumar, who also expressed her gratitude for Luchko, who helped hone her leadership skills.
Bhullar interpreted the pandemic as a challenge to step out of her comfort zone.
“After spending a whole summer and a half at home with limited social interactions, I knew I wanted more than to simply go to school. I wanted to make my mark on the world and enjoy each day as much as possible.”
Bhullar didn’t let her status as a commuter stop her from attending as many events as possible, trying out activities, and joining the Student Government Association. At first, she laid low, getting a feel for SGA. But after studying abroad in Rome during the fall semester of her junior year, things changed.
“It was a journey of self-discovery,” she said. “I gained a lot of confidence in myself and my abilities that allowed me to pursue higher leadership in SGA and get more out of my other extracurriculars.”
Through her leadership positions on campus, involvement with the IDEAS club, and wearing her turban proudly, Bhullar sought to be a role model for others, demonstrating that they too could succeed while staying true to their heritage. She even spearheaded the creation of World Day on campus, an event where community members celebrate and share their culture.
“As a proud Sikh woman navigating the Western world, staying true to my roots was highly important,” said Bhullar. “Representation matters. It’s not about me being perfect; it’s about trying my best and being in a position others hope to achieve but do not have proper representation in.”
Kumar’s primary goal as senior class president was equally as Salesian. She decided to give her classmates back some of the experiences they may have missed out on due to the pandemic.
Kumar and Bhullar worked with peers to recreate prom for their class as well as numerous Orientation activities that weren’t possible during 2020. One of these traditions included retaking their class photo on the grassy hill adjacent to the Lawless Center.
“Retaking this picture was a great way to mark the end of our journey at DeSales, but it’s also the start of what the rest of our lives will look like,” said Kumar, who plans to attend medical school. “After all the challenges that the Class of 2024 has faced, it is important that we get to celebrate all that we have overcome.”
While some individuals who hold top leadership positions might be tempted to compete with one another, that wasn’t the case with Bhullar and Kumar. In fact, Bhullar—who hopes to earn both a master’s and Ph.D. in computer science—describes their friendship and interaction as yin and yang.
“We learn from each other, motivate each other, and crack many jokes,” she said. “Nidhi and I know where the other shines, and we spotlight each other in those moments.”