When Monika Bharti first arrived at the 推荐杏吧原创, nearly a decade ago as an international student from India, she brought more than just a suitcase – she carried stories, struggles, resilience, purpose and a deep desire to make a difference. As a first-generation college student navigating the U.S. education system, her journey has been anything but linear, but every twist and turn has made her more determined to serve, lead and uplift others.
“I didn’t come here just to study,” she said. “I came to serve, lead, and make sure no student feels alone on this journey.”
Now a Ph.D. candidate in literacy studies and a prospective MBA student, Bharti is a powerhouse of advocacy, research and service. A first-generation college graduate with five academic degrees, she has dedicated her life to amplifying marginalized voices, particularly those of multilingual learners. Her doctoral research, rooted in equity and multilingualism, explores how pre-service teachers can implement multimodal and technology-enhanced writing instruction. Her findings have been showcased at top national and international conferences, including AERA, SITE, and NABE, and published with TESOL Press.
“Every child deserves to see their language and culture not as a barrier, but as a bridge. I teach, research and advocate to make that happen,” Bharti said.
Her achievements don’t end in the classroom. Bharti is a three-time finalist in the Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) competition, a Silver Paw Award recipient, and was honored with the Outstanding Graduate Researcher Award by the Graduate Student Association and the prestigious Shane and Katherine Templeton Outstanding Doctoral Student in Literacy Studies Award, and Outstanding Master’s Student Award by the College of Education and Human Development. She has received competitive travel awards to attend national conferences, research grants like the Research Method Mentoring Program Grant, and national recognition from the International Teachers Association (ITA) and Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. She was also selected for the NEW Leadership Nevada Program Scholarship at UNLV and received the Outstanding International Student Scholarship by the Graduate Student Association.
She has been nominated and awarded across multiple platforms from the Leadership Award, 2021, by the Graduate Student Association to top recognitions at the Northern Nevada Diversity Summit, where she won the student speech competition in 2023 and received honorable mention in 2022. Her academic consistency is evident in her continuous nomination and selection for scholarships and awards, including the Dean’s Merit Scholarship, International Teachers Association (ITA) Members Achievement Award, and various Departmental Scholarships, and being invited to join elite academic honor societies like Golden Key International Honor Society and the Society for Collegiate Leadership & Achievement.
What truly sets Bharti apart is her enduring commitment to the community. As chair of the Graduate Student Association’s Student Advocacy Committee for five years, she led the charge on initiatives that impacted the lives of thousands of students, from organizing mental health town halls to co-authoring a statewide housing resolution that reached Nevada’s Interim Finance Committee and gained recognition at the state legislative level. She also chaired committees on Title IX and Counseling Services, representing student voices in spaces where they are often left out.
“I’ve written letters to legislators, spoken at town halls, and knocked on every door I could to make students feel heard,” she said. “Advocacy isn’t an extracurricular – it’s my calling.”
She has served as a peer reviewer for more than 10 academic journals and national conferences, including COGENT Education (Taylor & Francis), AERA, SITE, LRA, and ALER. While continuing her academic journey, Monika continues to mentor K–8 students, lead robotics teams through First Lego League championship (FLL), serve on over 15 university-level committees, and offer free tutoring for underserved youth.
“Leadership doesn’t come from a title, it comes from consistency,” Bharti said. “From showing up when no one expects you to. From saying, ‘I’ve been through it too, and I won’t let you go through it alone.’”
Her advocacy has taken her to Nevada’s Board of Regents legislative hearings, and countless campus-wide forums where she’s spoken not just as a student, but as a changemaker. She even co-designed the Student Advocacy Award, which now celebrates leadership and service across all graduate disciplines.
She was appointed as the Global Director of Education for STEM/STEAM by the International Teachers Association (ITA), United Kingdom, an honor that reflects her commitment to international education collaboration and her dedication to integrating technology and equity in classrooms.
“I came here with hope, and today, I carry pride. Not just in who I’ve become, but in who I’ve helped others become,” she said.
Her journey is a testament to what happens when passion meets purpose. Whether she's mentoring future teachers, championing student rights, or redefining what leadership looks like in higher education, Monika Bharti continues to inspire with grace, grit, and a heart that beats for justice.
“To be featured in Faces of the Pack would be one of the most meaningful honors of my journey. It would not just spotlight my story—it would give voice to every international, multilingual, first-gen student who dreams of making a difference,” she said. “It would show that even when you come from far away, you can still belong, lead, and transform lives right here in The Wolf Pack Family.”
