Prachi Jhawar, Senior, Digital Media Intern at the National Organization for Women
Double Major in Political Science & Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Who am I?
Hi! My name is Prachi Jhawar (PRAH-chee JUH-ver), I use she/her pronouns, and I’m from Westford, MA. I’m a third-year senior double majoring in Political Science and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. I’ll also be graduating with Undergraduate Certificates in Advanced Leadership Studies and Women, Policy, and Political Leadership.
What are you involved with on campus?
I currently serve as the President of AU’s Students to End Abortion Stigma, the Communications & Outreach Coordinator for AU Triota (the Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Honors Society), and a Senior Peer Facilitator for the American University Experience (AUx) Program. In the past, I’ve also held leadership roles in AU’s South Asian Student Association, the SPA Leadership Program, and AU Civics in the Capitol. I’m also member of Pi Sigma Alpha and Iota Iota Iota, two academic honors societies on campus.
What do you do in your job?
As a Digital Media Intern at the National Organization for Women (NOW), my primary role is using Adobe Photoshop and Canva to create graphics pertaining to relevant feminist media. However, I do more than just make graphics! My role includes tons of research, collaboration, and work on other departments. Using both current events and my understanding of feminism, I create social media graphics and infographics to educate our followers and members about central issues in feminist advocacy. Additionally, I write copy for our social content to engage our followers to contact their Members of Congress in order to pass legislation improving the lives of women. Lastly, I draft blog posts for our website to educate members on random but important feminist political issues.
How has the Leadership Program prepared you for your current role(s) either on or off campus?
The SPA Leadership Program has prepared me for my role at NOW through both research and collaboration. Both of my social actions projects were about marginalized women and girls, so having the background of how policy impacts marginalized women has helped me create graphics that accurate reflect thorough research processes. Additionally, I’ve learned how to streamline my research process, cutting back my turnaround time for projects.
There’s five members of my team. So, the collaboration skills I’ve learned through working with other group members has allowed me to take initiative on the design projects, brainstorm ideas, and foster an friendly community as well as you can online. I’ve created great relationships with my supervisors and feel like I’ve been able to make my mark at NOW through those relationships. The SPA Leadership Program has helped me become more confident in both my collaboration skills and my ability to take initiative, and I feel as though that shows in my work at NOW.
What is a message you have for other students?
Challenge yourself! The purpose of college is to grow, and you won’t be able to do that unless you take risks. Apply for that internship you don’t think you’re qualified for. Go to the Office Hours of your favorite professor even if you’re worried you won’t have anything to talk about! The highlights of my college career have come through taking risks, even when I was really worried about the outcome, and those risks have allowed me to grow a lot.
You can reach out to Prachi on LinkedIn, Twitter at @prachi_jhawar, or on Instagram at @prachi.jhawar. You can also reach Prachi via email at
pj2605a@student.american.edu or by visiting her online portfolio.