Your Aesthetic, Your Committee, Your Impact!

By: Sravya Gullapalli , Aleeza Mazhar, and Brina Patel

Illustrations by: Neha Thomas

Thinking about joining the Natural Sciences Council? NSC is made up of eight distinct committees, each working uniquely and collaboratively toward one shared goal: supporting the CNS student body. Whether you’re passionate about creativity, advocacy, academics, service, or simply building a stronger community, there’s a place for you in NSC.

Each committee brings together students with different strengths, interests, and perspectives, creating opportunities to make an impact while forming lasting friendships along the way. From planning events and advocating for students to creating content and giving back to the Austin community, NSC gives you the chance to turn your interests into meaningful action. No matter what you’re passionate about, there is a committee where you can contribute, grow, and find your community within CNS.

Explore each committee below to find where your passions could make a difference!

Public Relations

If you're in Public Relations (PR), you're the perfect combination of creativity, passion, and artistic vision. Whether it's writing up a script for a cinematic reel, experimenting with Canva Pro for your next graphic design masterpiece, or perfecting your videography and photography skills, you are always willing to push yourself out of your comfort zone to try something new. Your passion for creation is the backbone of how NSC reaches the student body.

“My experience in PR has allowed me to build my artistic skills and meet a community of creative people in science!” - Rish Das, NSC PR Chair 26-27

Internal Relations

Interested in Internal Relations (IR)? You must be the life of a party: maybe you're the designated planner of hangouts with your friends or maybe you love creating that perfect vacation itinerary down to the finest detail. Whether it's planning our annual Thanksgiving Potluck, putting together the most competitive spin-off of Hunger Games or Family Feud, or hosting our Banquet and iconic Broomballs, your organizational skills paired with your friendly, bubbly nature are the reason best friends find each other in NSC.

“When I first joined NSC, I was an extremely shy freshman who struggled to open up around new people. However, being in council, especially in the Internal Relations committee, has truly changed my life for the better. IR allowed me to be able to open up to not only my committee but council as a whole, building relationships and friendships that will last for years. The Internal Relations committee designs events that create bonds and amplifies the strength of NSC, creating an inviting culture that we are extremely proud of!!” - Lauren Lauer, NSC IR Chair 26-27

Catalyst Magazine

If you're in Catalyst, or as we lovingly dub is ‘Cat’, you're the creative writer, reflective thinker, and storyteller. You love synthesizing ideas in a way that speaks to the student body, and you might find yourself writing up an interview you had with an admirable CNS professor, exploring your passion for poetry, or creating your very own guide to mental health as a CNS student. Your ability to use words as a tool to divulge a deeper story pertaining to students like yourself is what makes you special in NSC. You connect committees and spark new initiatives, gearing humanities to science, building a bridge between the two that is priceless. As a member of Catalyst Magazine Staff, you edit, create columns, spark new initiatives, and get a robust newsroom experience.

You do not need to be a part of NSC to write for Catalyst! Visit the Join us! tab on the Catalyst website to learn how you can begin writing as early as tomorrow as a freelance writer!

“Catalyst means so much more to me than just being a magazine; it represents creativity, advocacy, and education on a deeper level. Serving as Editor-in-Chief has allowed me to combine my passions for storytelling and communication by telling stories that matter, amplifying voices, and creating space for meaningful conversations. I am so grateful for the community, creativity, and purpose Catalyst and NSC have brought into my life. It is more than a magazine to me; it is a place where I have grown, found my voice, and made an impact through writing.” - Brina Patel, NSC Catalyst Chair 26-27

Academic Affairs

Interested in Academic Affairs (AA)? You are a driven high achiever, as you might find yourself planning the biggest career networking night in CNS, creating guides for pre-pathway or first-gen students, or simply finding ways to enhance the student academic experience through writing up legislation on an issue pertaining to students you care about. Your advocacy, thoughtful nature, and selflessness is what promotes the best transition for CNS students toward their career aspirations.

*Katie Gaston, NSC Academic Affairs Chair 26-27*

“My time in AA has taught me so much about the structure of the educational system we engage in day-to-day as students here at UT, and how to advocate for an academic experience that is accessible and beneficial to all!” - Katie Gaston, NSC AA Chair 26-27

Legislative

If you're in Legislation, you're driven, curious, and relentlessly ambitious. You thrive at the intersection of student governance and real-world impact by turning campus conversations into policy in motion. Whether it’s investigating student concerns about the Nucleus closing too early, or championing student initiatives that redefine the CNS experience for years to come, you know that real change starts with a single idea. Your vision, critical insight, and unwavering determination are the driving force behind how NSC shapes the future of our college.

*Hibba Mansoor, NSC Legislative Chair 26-27*

“NSC was the first time I felt like my time on the Forty Acres could have a direct impact. Legislation gave me a way to make changes that would affect my peers and leave a mark on CNS long after I graduate. I never imagined I'd walk across campus and know something was there because of my own legislation. What I also really didn't see coming were the friends and memories I'd make in council” - Hibba Mansoor, NSC Legislative Chair 26-27

Community Involvement

If you're in Community Involvement, you have a big heart, endless empathy, and a genuine passion for giving back. You are the kind of person who finds joy in lending a helping hand and making meaningful connections beyond campus. Whether it is through hands-on science experiments with kids at Helping Hand Home, preparing and serving meals during weekly food distributions, or inspiring the next generation at STEM Girl Day, you believe service is at the core of what we do. Your compassion, dependability, and welcoming spirit are the bridge that connects CNS to the heart of the greater Austin community.

*Tejal Naik, NSC Community Involvement Chair 26-27*

“For me CI, the thing I love about CI is its reach. Not only do we get to work with some amazing orgs to give back to the community, but we also get to go directly into that community and see who exactly we’re impacting. Whether it’s doing science experiments at elementary schools or demos at the Helping Hand Home, our reach and hard work goes beyond just UT. Service is such a big part of the minds of CNS kids, and I adore so much that I get to be a part of a committee that allows these students a way to give back.” - Tejal Naik, NSC Community Involvment Chair 26-27

Student Access

If you're in Student Access, you are driven, intentional, and purposeful. You recognize where gaps in resources exist and actively work to close them through feedback-driven solutions. Whether it is expanding access to undergraduate research through centralized platforms, organizing relief and resource hubs for students during high-stress midterm seasons, or spearheading dialogues that center underrepresented experiences, you transform empathy into action. Your courage, vision, and dedication to equity are the backbone of how NSC builds a more accessible and supportive CNS for all.

“One of the central goals of Student Access is to educate students on resources. During events such as Resource Roundup, I get to see the smiles on students faces as they learn about how much support is there for them, ready for them to use. Whether it be mental health resources when you need a little pick me up, or tutoring services when class gets a little rough, I get to be a part of a committee that helps students in various aspects of their lives. No matter what, StAcc has your back.” - Somya Krishna, NSC STACC Chair 26-27

Student Engagement

Interested in Student Engagement? You are naturally approachable, outgoing, and passionate about turning acquaintances into lifelong mentors and friends. Maybe you are the person who can strike up a conversation with anyone in the room, or maybe you love creating events that make a massive university feel a lot more personal. Whether it is planning an electric Recruitment Trivia Night to welcome new faces, sparking dynamic discussions using conversation cards with professors, or humanizing faculty through creative multimedia interviews, you bridge the gap between students and mentors. Your warmth, enthusiasm, and welcoming presence are what make CNS feel truly connected.

“The thing I love most about Student Engagement is seeing the bridges built between students and professors. Being in SF for three semesters now has been so fulfilling! Seeing our committee expand from standard professor interactions to facilitating meaningful student-student connections, and watching that open line of communication grow, has been incredibly rewarding. I feel that it’s also given CNS students a genuine voice in shaping their academic environment. Fostering those connections is such a vital part of the college experience, and I love getting to lead a committee that makes such mentorships possible.” - Tanisha Parikh NSC SE Chair 26-27

With eight committees and countless opportunities to get involved, NSC is more than just a council—it is a community. Whether you want to create, advocate, serve, connect, or lead, there is a place for your voice and your ideas. Find the committee that speaks to you, step outside your comfort zone, and discover what you can bring to the CNS community!

If you are interested in creating impact in the College of Natural Sciences, applications for the Natural Science Council are now open and can be accessed at this link through October 12th at 5pm! Your Committee, Your Aesthetic, Your Future Impact.

The Natural Sciences Council (NSC) is a part of the College Senate.