Lily Chowana-Bandhu
Lily Chowana-Bandhu, assistant director of Orientation Programs, “is the backbone of the office,” says Tom Studdert, director of Orientation Programs. “I count on her not only to know the big picture elements but also to think about all the details.”
As assistant director, Chowana-Bandhu helps oversee the educational/developmental components of the orientation sessions, coordinates department program logistics, manages finances and organizes staff development opportunities. Last November, she planned a team bonding retreat at the University of California, Irvine for orientation coordinators, session coordinators and the department’s staff.
“They have a ropes course, and we were all challenged in ways we never thought we would be,” says Chowana-Bandhu, who is planning to do another retreat this year. “After having to put our trust in our peers to get through the course, we sat down and talked about goal setting.”
Chowana-Bandhu earned her bachelor’s degree in social sciences from the University of California, Irvine and a Master of Education in Postsecondary Administration and Student Affairs (PASA) from USC Rossier School of Education. Prior to coming to USC, Chowana-Bandhu spent two years working with a foreign policy think tank in Washington, D.C., where she thought of ways to connect emerging leaders throughout the world. She was also a program assistant at University of California, Irvine, where she worked on orientation and leadership programs. While in the PASA program, Chowana-Bandhu served as a graduate assistant in Orientation Programs and as a learning assistant coordinator in the Center for Academic Support. “It is evident that Lily’s passion is working with students,” says Studdert. “She has overhauled our student leadership practices for our graduate and undergraduate students.”
“What I like best about working with USC students is that they are incredible and emerging student leaders,” says Chowana-Bandhu. “You don’t realize how intelligent and capable students are until you interact with them. Every year they set the bar higher.”
In her free time, Chowana-Bandhu, a self-proclaimed technology dork, takes Visual Basics and ASP Java programming classes online through Santa Monica College. She also enjoys golfing.