students in lounge
Resources

Name: Reva Joshi
Year: 2
Major: Political and Social Thought
Hometown: Vienna, VA

1.   What brought you to the Women's Center?
Mentorship is always something I have been passionate about, and I knew I wanted to pursue that in college. I also think the Women’s Center is such a unique and phenomenal space for students of all backgrounds and ideas to come together. A girl in my sorority told me about YWLP, which seemed like the perfect way for me to get involved in both. She encouraged me to apply, and it was the best decision I ever made!

2.    If you could describe YWLP or MLP in 3 words, how would you describe it?
YWLP is challenging, it is rewarding, and it is so so fun.

3.    What other organizations are you involved with at UVA?
Aside from YWLP, I am a tour guide with the University Guide Service and a member of Kappa Delta. I also volunteer with Madison House at the Legal Aid Justice Center!

4.    How has a mentor impacted you?
Growing up, my dance teacher was an important mentor to me. As any good artist and teacher would, she encouraged me to express myself honestly and unashamedly, and gave me the space to do so. She was kind and compassionate, and treated me like a younger sister. She also led by example — she was tenacious in the pursuit of her own goals as an artist, even though people pressured her to be “smarter” or more “careful” about her life choices. She taught me to be bold, creative, and compassionate.

5.    If you could choose anyone, who would you choose to be your mentor?
I would choose novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Her books are some of my favorites, and she herself is an incredible woman. I highly recommend watching her TED Talk “The Danger of a Single Story.”

6.    What would you most like to tell your 13 year old self?
I would say that life throws crazy curveballs all the time, and the advice to “stay true to yourself” often falls flat because you don’t know who “yourself” is. That is normal. Roll with the punches, allow yourself to change and grow, and always trust your gut.