Community-Centered Change
As a USF Don, Lovepreet Dhinsa ’22 has embraced several opportunities to give back to the community and set change into motion.
While on track to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Politics and Legal Studies, Dhinsa has served USF as the vice president of internal affairs for the Associated Students of USF (ASUSF) Senate, student assistant for the Politics department, president of Mock Trial, secretary of Phi Alpha Delta, 2021 McCarthy Fellow, and academics director for the Sikh Student Association.
This summer, Dhinsa brought her skills and passion for change to the Equity Interns program. The partnership between the University of Delaware’s Biden Institute, USF’s Leo T. McCarthy Center, and the YMCA of San Francisco trains college students to provide virtual learning experiences to children in grades K-8 at the YMCA of San Francisco’s Power Scholars Academy. Through this work, Equity Interns like Dhinsa hope to reduce the achievement gap and prevent COVID-19 learning loss in under-resourced communities.
What does “Changing the World From Here” mean to you?
To me, “Changing the World From Here” means analyzing the issues in my own community and using the resources available to me to make a meaningful impact. While the slogan itself can be a bit intimidating at times, change begins with small steps. By creating changes within our own communities, it allows us to reach that larger goal. Although we may not realize it, we are constantly making positive changes in our everyday lives.
Who is someone you know within the USF community who is “Changing the World From Here” and how?
Two people who have significantly transformed my time at USF are professor Keally McBride and Rebecca Muñoz ’21. Both McBride and Muñoz have supported me since freshman year and they truly embody what it means to create small changes in our own communities. McBride is someone I can always rely on for support and direction, and Muñoz and I have been close friends since I joined Mock Trial my freshman year. She was the person who encouraged me to join the ASUSF Senate.
What inspired you to pursue the Equity Interns program and what are your aspirations for the future?
Growing up, I did not learn much about equity in my K-12 education. That all changed when I came to USF, where my thoughts and beliefs have been constantly challenged. Through the program, I knew I would be able to create meaningful connections and gain a deeper understanding of equity.
I will be attending law school next fall, and in the future, I hope to provide legal representation for people of color who have been disproportionately affected by the legal system. I also hope to eventually work in public policy to create long-lasting changes in my own community.
What have been some of your most memorable experiences within the Equity Interns program thus far?
The most memorable experience within the Equity Interns program was getting to meet the YMCA Scholars one-on-one. The connection with them made the experience worth it because it allowed me to make a small difference in their education. Learning about the different aspects of equity and how I could implement changes in my own life was the highlight of the program. Moving forward, I will use these lessons to create systemic change, which I hope will create a lasting impact for people of color in the future.
What makes you proud to be a USF Don?
I am proud to be a USF Don because of the strong community that I get to be a part of. Even through adversity, the USF community never fails to come together and advocate for one another. Along with this, USF values diversity, which has allowed me to accept and bring all parts of my identity into my work.
To further enhance the experiences of Equity Interns like Dhinsa, consider making a gift in support of the Leo T. McCarthy Center and Changing the World From Here: Campaign for the University of San Francisco.
