Honorable Mention Winner
Bijal Chhadva
University of South Florida
Senior in Computer Engineering
3.87 GPA

The University of South Florida's Student Body President Bijal Chhadva, 22, isn't just some grin-and-win student leader. And that's no bull. Since elected to office last spring, he has charged ahead with improvements for the school and faced off with administrators when students' concerns weren't properly considered. "I've never been afraid to bring student issues and concerns to the table," he says.

As soon as he set foot on USF soil in June 2002, Chhadva was looking to lead. That fall, he became a resident assistant in the Department of Residence Life and made sure his 40 charges were safe at all times. Taking the time to counsel them, he also served as their disciplinarian, social activities coordinator, and educator. He worked as an RA until last May, when he was elected as student body president.

As one of last year's Florida College Student of the Year honorable mention winners, Chhadva was already a praiseworthy student leader. His steadfast integrity as SG president during the past year only furthers his merit. On several occasions during which he felt administrators were shortchanging students, he refuted statements and recommendations made by the USF president and has lobbied against proposals made by Florida's Board of Governors and the board of trustees. "I'm here to represent the students, and if that means facing adversity and opposition, so be it," he says. "Because the students will always back me up when I'm advocating for them." He tackled issues like preventing the imposition of a technology fee on the students, the USF president's lack of availability to students and reporters, a questionable salary increase for the president, and a block-tuition rate that Chhadva felt disadvantaged students who could barely afford their credit hours in the first place. Luis Visot, executive director of the Joint Military Science Leadership Center and Chhadva's personal advisor, commends Chhadva for his fearlessness with other leaders. "He strives to represent the students' interest with conviction and with determination," Visot says.

Chhadva isn't just a man of words, however. The former SG senator and current ambassador has advocated substantial improvements for the university campus. He worked with administrators to create a sound funding plan for $50 million toward a new student union. In the past year, Chhadva also established an SG marketing department and oversaw a free bus service called the Bull Express, which shuttles students to and from campus and downtown Tampa. Students will soon benefit from all of Chhadva's efforts, finding their first ATM in the library, more parking spaces surrounding Greek housing facilities, and improved student events.

Dean of Students Thomas Miller hails Chhadva as a "visible and accessible" leader of the students. "He's navigated his way through some complicated political matters, and his own ethics have carried him through a few challenging circumstances," Miller says. "I've been proud to work with him and have grown to respect and admire him."

Chhadva meets his expenses through scholarships, loans, and his job as SG president.—LH

Contact Chhadva at bchhadva@mail.usf.edu.