Criminal justice sophomore Navia Vohra came to the University of South Carolina on a mission to meet new people and get involved on campus. Being accepted into the Capstone Scholars Program, an invitation-only program for students who want to improve their leadership skills, proved to be the perfect way to accomplish that.
Vohra, who is from Clarksville, Maryland, has been able to build strong bonds with other residents while having opportunities to participate in community service, attend leadership seminars and go to events hosted for Capstone members.
USC’s intellectually stimulating living and learning communities help students turn their interests and passions into fulfilling careers. We talked to Vohra about her experience living in Capstone, one of USC’s seven faculty-led living and learning communities.
What are some highlights of your experience as a student in the Capstone community?
Hot Cookie Friday was the first Capstone event that brought almost everyone together at the beginning of the year. It was the perfect way to get everyone outside to share a sweet treat at the end of the week, and it was where I met some of my closest friends. Living in Capstone and having the community make efforts to bring everyone together allowed me to build a group of close friends while growing my involvement at USC, and in Capstone itself. In addition, I was able to make new friends who were also in the community by doing other Capstone events, such as Marathon Month. The activities that Capstone puts together allow students to come together and become the best versions of themselves.
How has your experience with the Capstone community impacted your overall student experience at USC?
Upon my arrival at USC, I was presented with the most welcoming community of motivated people in the Capstone community. I’ve been able to enjoy USC and all it has to offer because the Capstone community showed me how to make the most of my experience. As a Capstone Ambassador, I hope I can help the incoming freshmen make the most of Capstone and USC the same way the Capstone Scholars community did for me.
What do you hope to do after graduation, and how has being a student in the Capstone community help set you on that path?
After graduation, I hope to commission as a surface warfare officer in the Navy. I plan to use the leadership skills that Capstone will build for me to be the best leader I can be for my future sailors. Additionally, I hope to use my criminal justice degree to become a detective after I retire from the Navy. The Capstone Scholars community has shown me how important it is to be of service to your community, and I will continue to serve the community through these professions. I plan on using the values of the Capstone Scholars Program to become the best officer in the Navy I can be.