Uprety has been a passionate advocate for students — especially around mitigating the increasing cost of higher education and meeting students’ most basic needs. President Robbyn Wacker nominated him for the fellowship due to the efforts he’s made on campus to take a leadership role on campus and within the Minnesota State System.
Uprety believes in the power of students to make a difference in their own lives and in the lives of their communities, Wacker said.
“He strives to ensure that all voices and viewpoints are present and respectfully heard when issues are being discussed,” she said. “Kridish is a shining example of the servant-leader qualities that Frank Newman exemplified.”
Uprety, an international student from Nepal, was inspired to serve others through the social activists in his family, including his late grandfather, who contributed to education and equality in Nepal.
“Nepal has experienced political uprising and civil war,” he said. “I want to change the world around me and my country.”
The senior lives by the motto “people for others” and hopes to one day to return to his native Nepal to put his education and leadership skills to practice while uplifting those who have supported his dream of studying and living in the United States.
“My goal, one day, is to take Nepal to heights of prosperity through the education I have received and the skills I have developed while in the U.S.” he said. “I have worked hard, honed my leadership skills and learned what social justice, community and civic engagement really mean.”
President Wacker also chose a student, a professor and a community partner for Minnesota 2020 Campus Compact Awards and co-nominated Create CommUNITY for an elective Minnesota Campus Community Award.
