Divya Chauwan is a senior at the State University of New York, College at Brockport, where she is pursuing a dual degree in Political Science and International Studies, with minors in Sociology and Women & Gender Studies. Divya’s dedication to advocacy is deeply personal. Born in a refugee camp, she and her family sought asylum in the United States in 2009 after fleeing ethnic cleansing and apartheid. This experience has shaped her strong commitment to fighting for the rights and dignity of refugees and building better, more inclusive communities for all.

Through her work with the Bhutanese Refugee Coalition (BRC), Divya has gained a deeper understanding of her heritage and the challenges faced by the Bhutanese refugee community. She is dedicated to supporting BRC’s mission of helping Bhutanese refugees achieve self-sufficiency, cultural integration, and community-building. Divya is particularly focused on ensuring refugees have access to the resources, education, and advocacy they need to thrive in their new communities with dignity, pride, and a sense of belonging.

In addition to her role with BRC, Divya serves as a youth coordinator for the Global Campaign for the Release of Political Prisoners in Bhutan (GCRPPB). She is also an active leader at SUNY Brockport, serving as Vice President of the Brockport Political Engagement Club (BPEC) and President of the Brockport Nepali Student Association (BNSA), and is involved in the Sociology Club and the Asian Pacific Islander Student Association (APISA). Divya has gained valuable hands-on experience through internships and volunteer work with local legal aid societies, Refugees Helping Refugees, and the District of Columbia Attorney General's office, where she fought for tenant rights against slumlords. These experiences have strengthened her skills in advocacy, legal writing, policy-making, and communication.

Divya plans to pursue a career in international law and human rights diplomacy, with a focus on refugee rights and humanitarian aid. As a Board member of the Bhutanese Refugee Coalition, she is committed to supporting the Coalition’s mission of helping Bhutanese refugees build better lives in their new communities and advocating for lasting solutions to the challenges they face.

Divya is driven by the belief that every refugee deserves the opportunity to live with dignity, contribute to their new home, and feel a true sense of belonging.