Pittsburgh IMPAQT student inspired by diversity of CMU-Q
Olivia Roy, a senior mechanical engineering major at CMU Pittsburgh, traveled to Doha in 2015 as part of the IMPAQT program. IMPAQT, which stands for Initiating Meaningful Pittsburgh and Qatar Ties, takes place each spring break, with about 10 students from each campus traveling to the other to strengthen knowledge and understanding within the Carnegie Mellon community.
While in Doha, Roy was inspired by Diversity Diaries, a forum where Qatar students share their cultural experiences. Back in Pittsburgh, Roy organized Here is My CMU, an event intended to strengthen Carnegie Mellon’s diverse community. Six undergraduate students and Dick Block, associate head of the School of Drama, shared their perspectives, experiences and thoughts on diversity.
Olivia Roy shared with CMU-Q News how her IMPAQT experience influenced and inspired her.
CMU-Q News: Can you tell me how your IMPAQT trip inspired you to create Here is my CMU?
Before I went on IMPAQT, I had organized an event as a residential assistant in my dorm called Tower Talks. In Tower Talks, residents gave TED-style presentations about their passions. I was interested in adapting that event for the whole campus community, but I was unsure how. When I came to Doha in the spring of that year, I saw Diversity Diaries, an event organized by the Student Affairs office. At that event, students and staff gave talks in the Pecha Kucha style about their diverse journeys to CMU, and about how the diverse community at CMU has affected them. I was really inspired by this event, so I decided to bring the event and its spirit of storytelling back to the Pittsburgh campus.
CMU-Q News: Tell us about Here is my CMU?
Here Is My CMU is an event for students, faculty and staff to share experiences of living and working at CMU in order to foster and enhance diverse community relationships. At the event, people share stories about the struggles and triumphs of living on a diverse campus.
CMU-Q News: What were your goals for the event?
As a senior, I’ve been thinking about the legacy that I want to leave on campus. I really want to see the start of a listening culture on campus. I believe in the quiet activism of listening. My goal for Here is My CMU was to start that listening culture.
The event took place the day after the presidential election. I didn’t intentionally pick November 10 for that reason, but the event was very timely. It was cathartic for me (and for other students who attended the event, I hope) to hear stories about coming together despite our differences in a time that feels divisive.
CMU-Q News: Do you have plans to do another Here is my CMU event?
I hope that Here is My CMU happens again! The event was funded by a one-time ProSEED Crosswalk grant. In order to do the event again, I would have to apply for more funding, and also find people to continue with the planning after I have graduated.
CMU-Q News: What do you tell students who may be interested in coming to the Qatar campus?
When other students ask me about my experience with IMPAQT, I tell them about the amazing community at CMU-Q. I was floored by how tight-knit the students, staff and faculty are in Doha. That made me feel welcome and at home when I went to CMU-Q, despite its location halfway around the world.
Read more about Here is My CMU in The Tartan.