Hello! My name is Anika Kumar, and I’m so excited to be part of the Baldwin community! I’m from Portland, Oregon, and I call the Pacific Northwest home. I have a twin sister, who I’m excited to say is a Baldwin Scholar as well, and an older brother– both of whom make me more resilient and loving. My parents have pushed me to dream bigger and think bolder, while reminding me to bring kindness and joy to life’s ups and downs.
During high school, I spent a lot of time involved with my community; outside of school, I was co-captain of a robotics team, where one of our main goals was advocating for girls in STEM. We helped host camps with Girls Inc. and created engaging activities to share with young girls in our community. I found those moments invaluable because we were empowering girls to feel braver or more confident. In addition to robotics, I was also vice-president of a national nonprofit called the Period Poverty Initiative. Our goal was to end period poverty through education, equity, and action led by a coalition of high school chapters.
At Duke, I’m planning on studying Economics, and I’m also curious about the Minor in Social Equity and the Markets and Management Studies certificate. I view economics as a valuable lens to approach how the world works. Outside of academics, I love engaging with my creative side through music, dance, graphic design, etc. Singing with my sister has always been one of my favorite ways to destress or pass time.
I can’t wait for the next four years at Duke, and I’m honored to be part of Baldwin Scholars!