Student Life

Isha Mehmood, a 20-year-old native of Blacksburg, is a senior who is pursuing a double major in communication and sociology, both of which are in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences.

Mehmood says she stays busy on campus.  She is involved in the Caribbean Student Organization (CaribSO) and Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority, Inc. Mehmood also works in the CommLab, where she serves as a resource for students who feedback on speeches before they present them in class.

Both of Mehmood’s parents attended Virginia Tech, but unfortunately did not graduate. As a fall 2007 graduate, Mehmood will be the first college graduate in her immediate family.

In her spare time, Mehmood says she enjoys traveling and trying new things. “I want to be one of those people […] who has had so many experiences that I am full of stories,” she says.

In her own words:

Describe your area(s) of study. What do you hope to gain from this field?

I am a communication major and sociology major, with a concentration in mass communication and social inequality and a minor in Africana studies and a marketing cognate. I am really interested in social injustice and I also have an interest in media and the business perspective. I wanted to have experience in each of these fields so that I could become a more effective communicator for social change.

What extracurricular activities are you involved in?

I work year round, and I am a coach in the CommLab on campus.

In terms of clubs and organizations, I am president of the Caribbean Student Organization (CaribSO) and am education chair, social chair, and assistant dean of intake for Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority, Inc.

I'm also in the McNair Scholars Program.

How do you balance these extracurricular activities with school work?

I try to schedule all of my time and prioritize what I need to do. (You just have to stay on top of your game and make sure you do not fall behind.)

What have you found to be your greatest challenge at Virginia Tech?

My biggest challenge is working and trying to go to school because I have two different sets of goals. I pay for my education and personal expenses myself so I have to earn a certain amount of money to support myself and also maintain a certain grade point average to support my future.

Why did you choose to stay in your hometown of Blacksburg and attend Virginia Tech?

I had to stay in-state because I wanted in-state tuition. Since I grew up around Virginia Tech I was very used to a larger school and knew what Tech had to offer. I did not have to do a lot of digging to take advantage of the opportunities.

What are some of your favorite spots in Blacksburg?

I love El Rodeo! I love their food and their atmosphere. I also love India Garden’s lunch because they have a buffet for eight dollars! Blacksburg also has a lot of great coffee shops, and places like She-Sha are nice to study and chill out at the same time.

What are your plans once you graduate?

I hope to pursue a Master's degree in International Affairs. Ultimately, I would like to pursue a joint Ph.D. and Juris Doctor program.

What is one piece of advice you would give to incoming freshmen?

Virginia Tech has so many things to offer and it’s important to take advantage of every single opportunity that you can. There are some really neat things you can do here. For example, I just went to three different countries in Southeast Asia this past summer for a study abroad program. I recommend that every student tries to find their niche because there is something here for everyone!