Alumna Spotlight: Mohua Sultana

Mohua Sultana

Current position: Research Coordinator; Laal NYC

Graduating Class: 2023

Thesis: “Culturally-Specific Sex Education: An Analysis of Why Comprehensive Sex Education Is Needed in Bangladeshi Muslim Communities in Bangladesh and the Diaspora”

Columbia’s South Asian Studies Master's program provided me with a deep understanding of the complexities within the South Asian region, especially Bangladesh. While I am Bangladeshi American, this comprehensive knowledge became a crucial asset for me in communicating and collaborating with the Bengali community.

As the Research and Program Coordinator of a nonprofit that serves Bengali women through educational and wellness programs, I supervise all the programs, develop methods to measure program impact, and engage in the grant writing process. Thus far, I have created a digital literacy and political education curriculum, and I am leading the reproductive justice initiative in which we discuss reproductive and sexual health with the community.

My academic background, with the support of Columbia faculty, equipped me with a nuanced perspective on the cultural, social, and political dynamics of the community as well as the analytical skills necessary to address the unique challenges faced by Bengali women and the community at large. This knowledge has proven invaluable in navigating the delicate terrain of cultural specificity, allowing me to establish trust and forge meaningful connections with the people I serve.

I am grateful for the opportunity to merge academic rigor with hands-on advocacy within the nonprofit sector. The journey has reaffirmed my conviction that meaningful change is born from understanding, empathy, and collaboration. I look forward to continuing this vital work, leveraging my knowledge and experience to further uplift the Bengali community and contribute to a more equitable society.