Graduate student teaches an inspiring lesson

For Cathryn Dhanatya, volunteering is more than just a kind
gesture. It is a way of life.

When e-mails circulated from the UCLA College seeking a graduate
student who could fulfill the voluntary role of discussion leader
for an education course that addresses students’ adjustments
to college life, Dhanatya willingly took interest.

With university-wide budget cuts and an increasing
student-faculty ratio, Dhanatya’s initiative to sacrifice her
time for the benefit of her students is seen as valuable by many,
especially at a time when resources are diminishing.

The education course was developed a few years ago as a result
of a task force that explored how to improve the lower-division
experience at UCLA.

The goal was to design a class that helps students adjust to the
college atmosphere and where students can interact directly with
staff and faculty, said Bruce Barbee, adjunct assistant professor
at the Graduate School of Education & Information Studies and
professor for the class.

Students are able to develop a close relationship with staff and
faculty through the section meetings, which are headed by a
discussion leader.

Discussion leaders for this class do not directly receive
separate pay for this task, as a teaching assistant would.

Dhanatya, a full-time graduate student at UCLA working on her
doctorate in social sciences and comparative education, devotes
nine hours a week to her role as a discussion leader. She also
works 20 hours a week as an education abroad counselor, helping
students prepare and adjust to studying abroad.

“I am more than willing to do this. … We all believe in
what we are doing or else we wouldn’t do it. … It would be
nice to get paid, but a little sacrifice isn’t that big of a
deal,” Dhanatya said.

Dhanatya said she tries to volunteer every chance that she
can.

In addition to being a discussion leader, she currently
volunteers with the UCLA Clothesline Project, in the Thai community
in Los Angeles, and for Asians for Miracle Marrow Matches, a
non-profit organization that promotes Asians and Pacific Islanders
to register for the national bone marrow registry.

“The way I was brought up instilled in (my sister and me)
the importance of service. I will volunteer as long as I can.
It’s a part of what life should be about. You should
definitely give back if you can,” Dhanatya said.

Several of Dhanatya’s students are extremely fond of her,
both as a discussion leader and as a person.

Hazel Uy, a first-year undeclared student, is in
Dhanatya’s section, which meets in Covel Commons once a week.
Immediately after class, Uy has to go to work at Ackerman, and
every week, Dhanatya offers her a ride down the hill.

“She is very modest and humble,” Uy said. “She
connects with students really well on a personal level and is very
motivational.”

James Andrade, a fourth-year history student, who started his
college career in 1971, said he was amazed by Dhanatya’s
ability to run the section.

Throughout his years at school, Andrade said he has experienced
a lot of instructors and was impressed by Dhanatya.

“Cathryn is very intelligent and caring. She is very
inspirational and will go out of her way to help anyone,”
Andrade said.

Just as Dhanatya inspires her students, she said it is her
students both in section and in education abroad that inspire
her.

“It is the relationships with the people in my life
that’s most important to me and made my life worthwhile. …
I am very lucky to have a job where I can interact with
enthusiastic young people,” Dhanatya said.

In addition to teaching, work and volunteering, Dhanatya is
involved in an array of activities, from producing a textbook for a
UCLA education course to teaching yoga at a nearby studio.

Dhanatya still feels she should contribute more.

“I’m the kind of person who needs to be busy; I do
better when I am busy. … Life is too short to sit and watch it go
by,” Dhanatya said.

One of Dhanatya’s favorite hobbies is cooking. Last
Thursday, Dhanatya invited all her students to her apartment and
treated them to a home-cooked meal for their last discussion.

“(My) first year would have definitely been different
without her. … She is one of those people who you are blessed to
have met,” Uy said.

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