Year In Review – 2021

This past year has easily been one of the most challenging times I have ever experienced- a sentiment I know is common around the world. After being sent out of our sophomore year dorms only 14 months ago, I suddenly find myself a rising senior. Everyone says college goes by quickly, but the pandemic has accelerated this process more than I could have envisioned.

Over the course of this year, I have been working at a civil rights law firm. I have loved this experience, and learned so much about what I want to do in the future. I am extremely passionate about advocating against civil rights violations and understand how important this work is when trying to achieve racial equity. I have steadily worked through majority of my double major course work over the past year, so I am left with a bunch of GEs that I am excited to explore senior year!

I am leaving my position with the law firm in two weeks time and am currently figuring out my next moves for the summer. I am interviewing with a handful of organizations, all related to the intersection of race, policy and law. I have also recently been accepted into the Washington Academic Internship Program (WAIP) and am so excited to move to DC for fall semester and work there!

Though this year has been extremely difficult, I have learned a lot about myself. I have learned to be kinder to myself and my body, because it has taken me through so much (including recovering from COVID). I have learned how much I cherish the people in my life but also find comfort and peace in being alone. I was able to spend months of quality time with my family last year, which was a pleasant change. My brother and I never imagined we would be back home in our 20s with our parents, but we loved the time that we could all spend together. As the end of COVID-19 is in sight here, I find myself worrying on end about my family in India as COVID runs rampant. The duality of the life I lead here is very apparent, which mixes up the feelings of hope and immense privilege with sorrow and anxiety.

I am looking forward to the summer here in Columbus and my move to D.C. in the fall. In one year, I’ll be graduating! Time truly flies.

About Me

Hi!

My name is Trisha Roy and I am rising fourth-year Eminence Fellow. I’m from Shaker Heights, Ohio and went to the public school system there. I am constantly thinking about race relations and my privileged position, as a non-Black person of color, in our deeply skewed societal institutions.

I am double majoring in Psychology and Public Management, Leadership and Policy. I love the combination of these fields, because I can apply the knowledge of cognitive science to public affairs and policy. I also am particularly interested in the way that psychology can drive racism and prejudiced beliefs. Psychology is a way for me to learn why people do what they do, which goes hand in hand to trying to achieve a more equitable society.

I have plans to take a gap year to work and then go to law school. After working at a civil rights law firm over the past year, I have realized that I want to become a civil rights attorney. I am very passionate about the work and the impact that adequate legal representation can have on marginalized communities and communities of color, like my own.

In my free time, I love hanging out with my friends, dancing, and being outside. The past year has made me cherish the outdoors, so I plan on spending as much time outside of my four bedroom walls as possible. I also adore my family and love spending time with them in Cleveland.