SEARCH
Manasa Swaminathan
As one of EdChoice’s research assistants, Manasa Swaminathan supports several important research projects.
Prior to joining EdChoice, she was a wellness coordinator for Barrett, The Honors College and also worked as a research assistant for several research labs and conducted her own research on a variety of different topics.
Manasa was born in India and moved to Arizona at the age of 6. She has since earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and in Family and Human Development from Barrett, The Honors College at Arizona State University. Manasa recently moved to Indianapolis to pursue her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology at the University of Indianapolis.
Favorite Quote
Favorite Teacher/Class
Intro to Directed Child Study, Dr. Anne Kupfer
High School Mascot
Jaguars
Favorite Pastimes
Dance, Watching TV Shows, Shopping and Art
Inspiration for Joining the Educational Choice Movement
Personal experiences play a vital role in an individual’s path in life. For me, certain personal experiences, such as being a first generation South Asian immigrant woman, not only pushed me to pursue a career in clinical psychology but also perpetuated my passion for learning about the education system. Due to my own experience as well as observing other’s experiences, I learned the value of finding an education system that fits each and every child’s needs and unique characteristics. For example, I went through the ELL program and various types of schooling, such as charter schools, in order to find an educational system that works for me. Moreover, my role as a teacher’s assistant and a research assistant in certain labs and schools allowed me to work with a diverse set of students which, in turn, furthered my understanding of each child and their educational needs.