Meet our Spring 2021 Bobcat Leadership Seminar Co-Facilitators!
The Souza Leadership Center is excited to have Neharika Makam and Cameron Smith (Both UC Merced Class of 2022) join us this semester as Leader Development Facilitators. In this role, Neharika and Cameron will join The Souza Center's Associate Director Jess Évora in facilitating the February cohort of Bobcat Leadership Seminar (BLS). Cameron will co-facilitate the March cohort!
Neharika Makam is a sophomore studying Cognitive Science B.S. and minoring in Management Analytics and Decision-Making and Philosophy at the University of California, Merced. She is a hardworking individual who values perfection and detail without sacrificing efficiency and deadlines. As a student researcher targeting cognitive science, she is currently working on research regarding multimodal virtual reality for public fire preparedness training for people with PTSD under Dr. Spencer C. Castro. She is extremely passionate about combining both her problem-solving skills and communication skills to solve real-world problems. Outside of her academics, she is an Indian Classical Dancer and the current Captain of the UC Merced South Asian Acapella team, Sargam. Neharika participated in BLS herself during her first year at UC Merced. Neharika also served as a student host for the 2020 UC Merced Leadership Conference! Neharika believes that leadership development is one of the most useful skills to learn because it raises human capital. Interpersonal skills allow for effective communication, which can uplift society and make the world an overall better place to live.
Connect with Neharika on LinkedIn!
Cameron Smith is a junior studying Critical Race and Ethnic Studies (CRES) B.A at the University of California Merced. He is a vocal sincere leader who is intentional about fostering a welcoming environment for folks to be comfortable and willing to engage in conversation with one another. As a student majoring in Ethnic Studies, he hopes to use that knowledge and translate it into the realm of student affairs which is the field that he wishes to pursue post-graduation. Outside of his academics, he serves as an Orientation Leader under the Bright Success Center to where he aids in hosting targeted workshops, brainstorms social media content and campaigns, and collaborates with other programs and services to continue that New Student Orientation mission of supporting and empowering our scholars throughout their time here at Uc Merced. He believes that leadership development is crucial to one's personal and professional development as each experience brings values to how we can incorporate them into our lives as individuals. It is because of those interactions with one another and the values that we hold dear to us, those two together are how we learn and grow from one another as we all have ideas to present and experiences that are. To be the best version of ourselves, we should learn from those around us and lead by example to inspire others to do the same. That is why he wanted to join the team this year and serve as one of this semester's Leader Development Facilitator.
Thank you Cameron & Neharika for dedicating your time to supporting the leader development of your fellow Bobcats at UC Merced! Sincerely, The Margo F. Souza Student Leadership Center
