Shanaya Jaitly, a Florida State University (FSU) student, is due to graduate in Spring 2024. She majors in Environment and Society and Interdisciplinary Social Sciences. Jaitly, from Lakeland, Florida, chose FSU for its academic opportunities and focus on research and student success. Her acceptance into the Presidential Scholars Program also influenced her decision.
At FSU, Jaitly has participated in several initiatives, such as the Sustainability Fellowship and the Food for Thought Pantry (FFTP). These programs have allowed her to positively impact the campus and the Tallahassee community. She appreciates FSU for fostering an environment conducive to her growth.
In Spring 2023, Jaitly was named a Sustainability Fellow. She interned at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, working on the agency’s website and collecting waste management data. By the end of her internship, she had collected data from over 20 counties, enhancing her data collection and analysis skills.
Her involvement with the Food for Thought Pantry has influenced her views on community service. She helped with the Beat UF/Beat Hunger food drive, collected donations, and organized pantry items. She also developed a digital recipe book for pantry users, creating over 70 recipes.
Jaitly’s most notable leadership role was as an Engage 100 leader, team member, and intern. She facilitated courses, mentored leaders, organized events, and contributed to curriculum development. This experience has been instrumental in developing her leadership skills.