Volunteer Spotlight Shefali Khushalani P22
Volunteer Profile |
Apr 2022

Parental Inspiration

Shefali Khushalani wants to strengthen RISD’s international community.

Shefali Khushalani P 22 knew that her daughter Vedika Kushalini 22 IA had a passion for design, so it was no surprise when, at age 14, Vedika declared that RISD was her dream school. And thus began what Shefali hopes is an enduring relationship with RISD and its educational mission.

Like her daughter, Shefali loves art and design, having studied at what was then known as the Pearl Academy of Fashion in India. When it was clear that Vedika was serious about attending RISD, Shefali supported her ambitions. Vedika’s RISD journey began with attending the Pre-College Program in 2017.

“What she learned in those six weeks was amazing,” Shefali, who lives in India and Singapore, remembers. “I was really inspired by the school. I just thought it was phenomenal.”

Inspiration comes up a lot when talking to Shefali, now the chair of the Families Association. It’s the word she uses when she talks about attending the orientation for families, meeting staff and faculty members, and getting to know President Emerita Rosanne Somerson 76. She connected with Sarah Caggiano, Executive Director of Continuing and Expanded Education, and O’Neil Outar, Vice President of Institutional Advancement, to learn more about what it takes to construct and support a comprehensive design curriculum.

"I was really inspired by the school. I just thought it was phenomenal."
—Shefali Khushalani P 22

As Shefali was taking a crash course on all things RISD, family friend Vikram Kirloskar P 12, also a member of the Families Association Leadership Council, reached out to her to suggest volunteering for the institution. Remembering the call, Shefali says, “You know what? I’ve never done anything like this, but what the hell? I’m happy to give it a try.”

Jonencia Wood, Executive Director of Alumni + Family Relations, is thrilled that Shefali became a RISD volunteer.

“Shefali’s passion for art and design is palpable. She’s excited about RISD, and that makes other parents and families excited, too,” Wood says. “She has been an essential partner in thinking about expanding volunteer opportunities for families and reaching them where they are. It is because of Shefali's efforts this past year that we've been able to increase our Family Association committee volunteers. RISD is a worldwide community, and volunteers help us sustain that community on and off campus.”

Shefali’s experiences as a parent and contributions as a volunteer have enriched Families Association programming. In addition to growing the number of volunteers, the association started a care package program that allows families to support their students by sending gifts of treats and essentials that keep students feeling connected to home.

The international community is central to Shefali’s contributions as a volunteer and work on the Families Association. This spring, she is helping to coordinate an event in New Delhi, India, where RISD alumni, families and prospective students can gather and build relationships. Her commitment to strengthening India’s RISD and art and design communities builds from a previous project with Continuing Education and Vedika’s positive experience with the Pre-College Program.

When asking Shefali why she does it, she says: “I was able to work with so many nice people at RISD who inspire me. Looking back at the summer program, I have many ideas, and I continue to discuss those ideas with everyone that I meet so I can take a piece of RISD back to India, educate our students and make RISD part of the art and design community.”

Now, five years after Vedika attended the Pre-College Program, she is preparing to graduate with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Architecture with a focus on adaptive reuse. Shefali remains as impressed as she was that first summer.

She says, “RISD has overwhelmed us and humbled us in a positive way. I’ve watched Vedika learn from RISD, work hard, and understand design in a way that has allowed her to create her new self. She says that RISD has helped make her who she is. I’ve seen that journey of hers, and it's humbling and very fruitful.”

When asked if she will remain involved with RISD after Vedika graduates, Shefali doesn’t hesitate. “Absolutely,” she says. “I’d love to. And I'd tell every parent that it's an experience worth having.”