My name is Viraj Shukla, and I am a junior at Yale studying Global Affairs and Computer Science. I grew up in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb in the northwest of Phoenix. I am Asian Indian, and I am a native English speaker and fluent in Spanish. Some of my most important relationships are with my mentors, many of them Yale alumni, who have helped me leverage my unique social and academic background into fulfilling, impactful experiences both during and after my time at Yale. My most impactful Jackson experiences so far have come from my Global Affairs coursework. Despite their virtual environment, I have been able to use these classes to connect with individuals from all around the world and all walks of life, all of whom are excited to tackle our most pressing global challenges. As part of Jackson’s DEI Council, I hope to ensure that as many of these voices are heard as possible, from the classroom to speaker events to Senior and Visiting Fellows who can share their diverse experiences with Yale students and the larger academic community. I also wish to ensure that faculty, students, and staff are aware of the importance of an inclusive academic culture and the steps we must take to create one.