KINGSTON, R.I. – July 19, 2023 – Revaa Goyal has had a busy summer.
The pharmacy student at the University of Rhode Island juggles a high number of activities and responsibilities during the school year and decided to use her summer downtime to set her sights in new directions. Goyal spent a month backpacking through Europe with friends from URI and home in Michigan. The foursome traveled to Norway, Hungary, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, and Spain, which she followed with work and some welcome time with family.
When Goyal returns to campus this fall, she’ll be well poised to bring her curious outlook and active mindset to the University that is looking to dream big and broaden its impact.
The rising junior is poised to make strong contributions to the University’s Board of Trustees, utilizing a wide network of involvement on campus and her dedication and enthusiasm for URI.
Goyal was appointed by President Parlange this year to serve in a non-voting capacity for up to two one-year terms. As the newest student representative on URI’s board, she succeeds Hannah Bachert ’23.
URI President Marc Parlange says, “We are so pleased to welcome Revaa to the Board of Trustees. Having the student perspective has been both essential and enlightening to the Board and its mission and I am certain that with her background and interests, Revaa will be a welcome voice in our discussions and decision-making. We are grateful for her willingness to serve in this important role.”
Students elected to the board represent the voice of students at URI.
“Though many of the voting members were once URI students, they do not study or work at URI today,” says Bachert. “They don’t always know the daily occurrences on campus, where the issues lie, which voices need to be heard, which is where the student representative comes in. The position can voice concerns that need to be heard and give valuable feedback for board members to consider when making decisions for the University.”
Goyal began her term in June and says she appreciates the welcome and support she’s received from fellow board members.
Goyal is serving on the Student Life and Athletics and Institutional Risk and Compliance committees. Topics discussed for the upcoming year include the development of new student housing, performance indicators in URI’s athletic programs, accessibility at the counseling center, and how changes in Title IX will impact students and faculty.
A student-first student leader
Goyal comes to URI from Rochester, Michigan and is enrolled in URI’s College of Pharmacy studying for her doctor of pharmacy degree. She has served as a Resident Assistant in Housing and Residential Life, worked as a Tour Guide, and volunteered in the Office of Admission. Goyal also serves as a URI 101 mentor for first-year students and volunteers weekly at the Rhody Outpost food pantry on campus. She serves on the URI 101 Mentor Leadership Team as Social Media and Logistics coordinator, is an Undergraduate Teaching Assistant for BIO 221 (Anatomy & Physiology I Lab) and was recently elected as the Vice President of Communications for the American Pharmacists Association (Academy of Student Pharmacists) and the Secretary for Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity (Beta Epsilon).
She also works as a pharmacy technician at RITE AID, is pursuing her Master’s in Business Administration from URI, and is a member of URI’s Honors program.
Those who know Goyal describe her as an empathetic and supportive student leader. Kayla Mosko, associate director of residential education, calls Goyal a positive role model. “She is an empathetic, supportive, and responsible student leader and excelled as a first-year RA,” she says. “Revaa proved herself to be a strong support system in the residential halls; her ability to approach her role in a caring and empathetic manner allows those around her to feel comfortable with reaching out to her either for support or to connect.”
Goyal hopes other students continue to come to her in this new role, and she hopes to build connections among different groups and organizations on campus.
“Campus culture is incredibly important,” she says. “I want to continue to act on suggestions and implementations from students themselves to create a renewed sense of vibrancy within campus life and to enhance the overall experience of students’ URI lives.”
“I am excited to bring a diverse perspective to my role on the board, and continue to grow a cohesive campus culture,” Goyal says.
Barbara Sweeney, coordinator of food security outreach, worked with Goyal at Rhody Outpost food pantry and says Revaa’s boundless energy and commitment to service were a tremendous asset to the work there: “She has a keen desire to engage in so many important ways across our campus environment — in class, as an RA, a future health care professional, and as a student leader. I know Revaa will dedicate herself to her work on the Board of Trustees and represent URI students with honesty, integrity, and passion.”