Bhushan Dahal

I am honored to be nominated as a candidate for the Student Representative position on the CIES Board of Directors. I am a doctoral candidate at Florida State University, and I come to this community with deep gratitude and a strong sense of responsibility.

My life and scholarship have been shaped by crossing borders. Having grown up in Nepal, where I led a nonprofit, Kids of Kathmandu, I helped create safe and sustainable learning spaces in remote regions by partnering with communities and national and international organizations to rebuild schools and support teaching and learning beyond the classroom through technology. I carry two distinct experiences: I know what it means to live in a place where education is not guaranteed, and I know what it feels like to enter unfamiliar academic spaces and try to find your footing. Because of this, I understand why it matters so much when a professional community feels like home.

For me, CIES has been that home. It is where I share my work, learn from scholars I admire, and meet people generous with their time. While I value the research, what stays with me most is the human side of the conference: the hallway check-ins, SIG gatherings, and those quiet moments when someone says, “I’ve been thinking about that too.” CIES has affirmed that my work, my context, and my voice belong in this field.

If elected, I want every student to feel that same sense of belonging and possibility. I will focus on three priorities:

First, I want to strengthen communication between student members and CIES leadership. Many students want to contribute but are unsure where to begin or whom to contact. I will focus on making student participation more accessible by clarifying how students can join SIGs, find mentorship, and take on active roles within CIES, especially but not limited to first-time and international members.

Second, I will advocate for professional development that meets students where they are. Whether students have strong institutional support or are navigating funding barriers, visa challenges, or caregiving responsibilities, I will work to build practical, structured spaces for students to find guidance and connection, both during the conference and throughout the year, so relationships and opportunities can grow beyond CIES conference days.

Third, I want to amplify student voices across SIGs and CIES programming. Students are not just “emerging” scholars; we are active contributors to research, policy, and practice. I want student perspectives to be visible across CIES by supporting student participation as session chairs, SIG contributors, and voices in society-wide discussions, not just in student-only sessions.

I am not running because I have all the answers; I am running because I care about students, I listen closely, and I want to serve this community. If elected, I will show up consistently, communicate clearly, and bring student concerns forward with respect and purpose.

Thank you for considering me. It would be an honor to represent you.