Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Timeline
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Chahat Kalia

Somerville,MA

Summary

A dynamic leader with a proven track record in youth mentoring and community service, notably with the City of Somerville and the state of Massachusetts. I bring expertise in program planning, critical thinking, and developing successful youth programs. Recognized for building strong relationships with young people and vulnerable populations, I have effectively fostered change and enriched youth engagement through impactful public health and STEM initiatives. Skilled in creating and facilitating engaging activities, I provide guidance and support to foster collaboration and personal growth.

Overview

3
3
years of professional experience

Work History

Climate Change Curriculum Committee Ambassador

City Of Somerville + Jason Behrens
02.2024 - Current
  • Collaborate with educators, experts, and legislators to develop comprehensive climate change curricula for schools.
  • Represent the youth perspective in committee meetings and contribute to decision-making processes.
  • Conduct research on climate science, policy, and education to inform curriculum development.
  • Engage with peers and the community to gather insights and feedback on climate education needs.
  • Organize and participate in events, workshops, and campaigns to advocate for climate action.

School Improvement Council Youth Leader

City Of Somerville
12.2023 - Current
  • Elected to serve as youth voice during School Improvement Council Meetings
  • Voted on curriculum and school hand book related changes
  • Ensured youth voice was included and present during the process of making change
  • Encouraged my peers to speak out on areas of improvement in our school community
  • Developed rapport with young participants, providing support and guidance in their personal challenges.
  • Work to change school policies and bring student voice to school leadership
  • Attend student council meetings
  • Run town hall meetings that are open to all Somerville High School students
  • Help shape the school's official improvement plan with the principal, teachers, parents/guardians, and community members.

Governor's Youth Climate Council

Governor Maura Healey & Melissa Hoffer
09.2023 - Current
  • Advisory Role : Provide insights and recommendations on policies and programs that address climate change and its impacts on Massachusetts communities.
  • Engagement : Encourages civic engagement among young people, fostering a deeper understanding of environmental issues and governmental processes.
  • Collaboration : Work collaboratively with state officials, environmental organizations, and community leaders to develop and promote sustainable practices and policies.
  • Education and Advocacy : The council is involved in raising awareness about climate change, promoting environmental education, and advocating for actions to mitigate its effects.
  • Empower young people by involving them in the state's efforts to combat climate change, ensuring their voices are heard in shaping a sustainable future for Massachusetts

Trained Mediator

City Of Somerville
11.2022 - Current
  • Led mediation efforts and collected information to support either side and achieve favorable resolutions.
  • Drafted detailed meeting notes to support case files and move towards comprehensive conflict resolution.
  • Read and analyzed details of disputes, absorbing minutia and often overlooked but critical information.
  • Assisted those in mediation in drafting agreements that accurately reflected negotiated terms and conditions of settlements.

SPF100 Youth Leader

City Of Somerville - Health And Human Services
09.2021 - Current
  • Promote supports and solutions for issues that Somerville youth face;
  • Create TV Public Service Announcements to educate the community about issues related to drug and alcohol abuse;
  • Conduct awareness campaigns to remind adults and youth not to give alcohol to people under 21;
  • Collaborate with community members and organizations to support group goals;
  • Serve as a Drug/Alcohol-Free Role Model for Somerville youth and around prevention efforts.
  • Go to Board of Health meetings

Statewide Leadership Team With The 84

Health Resources In Action + DPH
07.2021 - Current
  • Weekly work meetings with staff members and other members of the Statewide Leadership Team to create change locally and statewide to reduce the influence of tobacco in our communities.
  • Create and facilitate workshops and statewide events to educate on tobacco and racial justice, along with the influence of targeting from tobacco companies on marginalized communities.
  • Get funding to complete projects related to public health in our communities
  • Built strong relationships with legislators and our partners at the Department of Public Health in Massachusetts
  • Facilitate and host Kick Butt's Day at the State House everywhere where youth from all across Massachusetts meet with their legislators and discuss the influence and impacts of tobacco and intersectionality within our communities. Members of the SLT speak with priority legislators.
  • Organized Youth Power Summit and facilitated it with over 100 youth from across the state to prepare for the upcoming year. The summit includes orientation to The 84, training on topics like racism and community leadership, and emphasizes collective efforts against the tobacco and vaping industries.
  • Partnered and collaborated with high schools, middle schools, and colleges (ex. Northeastern University) to teach students about the harms of tobacco use and how companies target marginalized peoples.

The PRISM Science Club

Ragon Institute Of Mass General, MIT, And Harvard
03.2024 - 05.2024
  • Gained practical experience in scientific research and experimentation.
  • Worked with mentors from prestigious institutions, receiving guidance and support.
  • Enhance my STEM knowledge, skills, and critical thinking abilities.
  • Built connections with like-minded peers and professionals in the scientific community.
  • Earned recognition for your contributions and achievements in various scientific activities and competitions.
  • Prepare for future academic and career opportunities in STEM fields.
  • Engaged in stimulating discussion and hands-on activities on a variety of cutting-edge medical science topics, including: cardiovascular mechanics and physiology, brain/computer interfaces, neurophysiology, hematology and blood analysis, scientific activism with advocacy and policy, gene editing, machine learning and single-cell analysis, microbial ecosystems and microbiome transplants.

Education Committee Member for Theater

HIGHLANDER THEATRE CO.
01.2024 - 05.2024
  • Attended committee meetings to propose, discuss and advance with programming for theater
  • Discussed theater and educated on all that comes with theater to middle school students across the Somerville district.
  • Facilitated open communication and discussion with middle school students about theater and the upcoming educative play, Digging Up Dessa.
  • Collaborated with fellow members to achieve consensus on key decisions, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
  • Assisted with organizing the play presented (Digging up Dessa).

Mentor for Climate Tech Academy

Jason Behrens - City Of Somerville
04.2024 - 04.2024
  • Served as a role model for students in elementary in middle school
  • Enhanced mentee performance by providing personalized guidance and support.
  • Engaged in lessons with students surrounding climate change and assisted professionals from Tufts University and Lesley University in teaching.
  • Provided support for students and assisted in teaching about the impacts of climate change, both locally and globally. This included organizing interactive lessons, facilitating discussions on climate science, and helping students understand the interconnectedness of climate issues. For example, with support from educators at Tufts, we introduced a project surrounding building homes to support with flooding and other climate change related effects.

Student Advisory Council

City Of Somerville + Harvard Grad School Education
01.2023 - 06.2023
  • Provided feedback on Somerville High School's currciuculm and encouraged ways to improve in place policies within the school system
  • Collaborates effectively with Harvard Graduate School of Education members to use the CPAR method to research areas of improvement within the school community
  • Worked with members of the Somerville District Leadership to provide feedback on improvements in the education district of Somerville
  • Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.

Interviewer for The Director for Equity

Dr. Jessica Boston Davis
05.2023 - 05.2023
  • Conducted interviews with participants to assess eligibility.
  • Maintained accurate records of interview outcomes, ensuring timely follow-up and feedback to candidates.
  • Worked with Dr Jessica Boston Davis (Assistant Superintendent of Somerville), Amara Anosike (Chief of Staff and Strategy), Ildefonso Arellano (Director of Special Education), Liz Doncaster (Director of Student Services), Fran Gorski (Chief Financial Officer), Paulina Mitropoulos (Director of Multilingual Education), Jackie Piques (Chief Communications and Development Officer), and Karen Woods (Chief Personnel Officer).
  • Increased candidate engagement by conducting thorough and personable interviews.

Interviewer for AP Chemistry Postion

City Of Somerville
05.2023 - 05.2023
  • Conducted interviews with participants to assess eligibility.
  • Worked with school officials, staff members, the head of the Science Department, and educators in Science to discover the best potential fit for the job position.
  • Provided a unique perspective as a student of what types of education and teaching in the academic space provides the best outcomes.
  • Increased candidate engagement by conducting thorough and personable interviews.

Education

The Crimson Summer Academy At Harvard University
Cambridge, MA
06.2026

Somerville High School
Somerville, MA
05.2026

Skills

Strong Work Ethic

Attention to Detail

Teamwork and Collaboration

Time Management

Critical Thinking

Relationship Building

Youth Mentoring

Strong Role Model

Youth enrichment

Community Service

Accomplishments

  • Received the Statewide Chapter Excellence award from the state of Massachusetts in collaboration with the 84.
  • Collaborated with team of 4 in the development of a website for a personalized diet + meal plan at a hackathon

Timeline

Mentor for Climate Tech Academy

Jason Behrens - City Of Somerville
04.2024 - 04.2024

The PRISM Science Club

Ragon Institute Of Mass General, MIT, And Harvard
03.2024 - 05.2024

Climate Change Curriculum Committee Ambassador

City Of Somerville + Jason Behrens
02.2024 - Current

Education Committee Member for Theater

HIGHLANDER THEATRE CO.
01.2024 - 05.2024

School Improvement Council Youth Leader

City Of Somerville
12.2023 - Current

Governor's Youth Climate Council

Governor Maura Healey & Melissa Hoffer
09.2023 - Current

Interviewer for The Director for Equity

Dr. Jessica Boston Davis
05.2023 - 05.2023

Interviewer for AP Chemistry Postion

City Of Somerville
05.2023 - 05.2023

Student Advisory Council

City Of Somerville + Harvard Grad School Education
01.2023 - 06.2023

Trained Mediator

City Of Somerville
11.2022 - Current

SPF100 Youth Leader

City Of Somerville - Health And Human Services
09.2021 - Current

Statewide Leadership Team With The 84

Health Resources In Action + DPH
07.2021 - Current

The Crimson Summer Academy At Harvard University

Somerville High School

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Chahat Kalia