Brian Benton

Senior Mamatha Challa, performs in a routine during the Mr. Wash. U. competition last week. Challa was the first female to earn the title of Mr. Wash. U. In addition to participating in the pageant, Challa has served on Student Union Exec, a Residential Advisor, and a student representative to the Board of Trustees.

“There are very few moments in your life when you can have backup dancers. I thought I’d take advantage of this opportunity,” Mamatha Challa, the first female winner of Mr. Wash. U., said. While she was referring specifically to her entertaining performance in the Mr. Wash. U. showcase, Challa’s experiences both at Wash. U. and beyond have been full of backup dancers offering support in many shapes and forms.

Growing up in Chicago with her mother, a doctor; her father, a chemical engineer; and brother, who was born with a mental disability, shaped Challa’s life path. Currently a pre-medical school student studying Philosophy-Neuroscience-Psychology and global health, Challa hopes to pursue a career in the mental health field. She stated, “[My brother] is such a positive source of happiness in my life. Being familiar and educated in mental health from such a young age has definitely impacted where I want to go in life.” With the intent to go to medical school in the fall, Challa hopes one day to be a practicing doctor and aid health care policy and administration.

However, future plans won’t get in the way of making a difference right now. In addition to her studies and helping to raise $35,141.81 for the organization City Faces as a part of Mr. Wash. U., Challa has dedicated her time at Wash. U. to amplifying the students’ voice by joining together the students and administration.

Challa not only believes that the signature principle of Wash. U. is to “know every student by name and story,” but also embodies it, using those stories to make a difference. She explained that working as a residential advisor for both fall and spring semesters as well as for Freshman Summer Academic Program summer sessions has given her great insight into the needs and wants of the incoming and current students. As much as she has learned from her residents, they have taught her even more. “Meeting and learning from hundreds of incoming students…[has] been a huge part of helping me connect to the community. I really love getting to know new people, and I don’t care who you are or where you come from.”

Using her experience as an RA as practice for one day becoming a physician, she stated, “I want to view my patients as people as much as I can—know their needs on more than just a scientific level.”

In addition to being an RA, Challa also is extremely active in Student Union and was nominated as a senior board advisor, a role in which she brings campus issues to the attention of the Board of Trustees.

In the upcoming month, Challa and a fellow board advisor will have the opportunity to give a 15-minute presentation to the Board of Trustees on a topic of their choice. Influenced by her upbringing, her studies and her experience as an RA, she has decided to address an issue close to the heart: “the issue of mental health: our statistics, the status of our help and our services, ways we could be better with improvement.” Using the resources available to her, Challa has spent her four years at Wash. U. working to improve the community that has provided a platform for her future.

As many could see from her performance in Mr. Wash. U., Challa flawlessly blends talent and entertainment, fun and work. While not one to take herself too seriously, Challa, along with the support of those behind her, shows anyone watching what she has to offer.