“I understand why the economy and foreign affairs are the lead topics, but I would like to hear more about what each candidate would fund or cut in education.”
Biography: “I was at Washington University for the 2004 debate but missed the opportunity to volunteer,” says Pooja K. Agarwal, a graduate student majoring in experimental and cognitive psychology. “The excitement on campus had an impact on my interest in the campaign. Last time I watched, but this time I really wanted to be involved.”
Agarwal – Click to download
Education is at the forefront of campaign issues and involvement for Agarwal. “I understand why the economy and foreign affairs are the lead topics, but I would like to hear more about what each candidate would fund or cut in education. One of the candidates will have the ability to shape our view of education.”
The view Agarwal is working toward sees education as a reliable, evidence-based field. “In medicine, a vaccination would never be given to a child without first testing its effectiveness. We need to take the same approach to how we teach our children and make sure programs work before we implement.”
Agarwal has taken advantage of three opportunities in Washington, D.C., to work toward improvements in education: as an intern in the Education Technology Office of the U.S. Department of Education; as a summer fellow with the Institute of Education Sciences for the U.S. Department of Education; and as a summer fellow in Government Relations & Advocacy with the College Board.
Agarwal graduated magna cum laude from WUSTL in 2005 with majors in elementary education with teaching certification and in cognitive neuroscience. She was awarded the Harry S. Truman Scholarship, numerous undergraduate research awards and the prestigious National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship. She is a 2001 graduate of the Illinois Mathematics & Science Academy in Aurora, Ill.
Hometown: Carbondale, IL/Chesterfield, MO
Major/minor: Experimental and cognitive psychology
Student contact information: E-mail: pooja@poojaagarwal.com