Anika Rao

Who is Anika?

Anika Rao is a graduate of American University who currently works as a Federal Legislative Associate for the nonprofit Environment America. When asked how she found her passion, Anika explained: "I've always been interested in the environment. Growing up in Colorado, we kind of had to be." As a Legislative Associate she participates in lobbying and meets with legislators. Currently, she is developing state campaigns for protecting public lands.

Advice for Logan Students

Anika advises Logan students in times of transition to know that you are set up for success. She explained that "Logan didn't teach you specific things, but it did teach you how to figure it out." This sentiment is shared by Logan alumni across continuing classes. Logan teaches you how to learn and how to "figure it out." Logan let Anika explore her passion for the environment while encouraging her to develop valuable skills in research, networking, and communication. These skills have continued to serve her throughout her educational and professional career.

Impact of Logan

Logan set Anika up for success because it taught her how to engage with adults as equals. During our conversation she explained that OOBEE and EE trips functioned as introductory networking experiences.

Living and working in DC, networking is a key skill, one that Logan helped Anika develop early.

"The interactions you have with adults at Logan really set you up to interact with everybody in the real world."

Anika reflected that Logan is a really "impressive community," where students are constantly speaking with experts. In these experiences students are encouraged to be curious and ask questions, no matter who they are interacting with. These experiences allowed her to develop skills that continue to impact how she interacts with legislators in her work.