Riddha V Iyengar

About Riddha V Iyengar

BA Candidate in Government & Geosciences at Smith College | Multilingual | Focused on areas of Social Justice, Migration, and Policy Development I\'m currently a double major in Government and Geosciences at Smith College (Class of 2026), with academic interests in international relations, human rights, and the intersection of policy and sustainability. I\'m fluent in English, a native Tamil speaker, and have advanced proficiency in Spanish, with additional knowledge of French and Sanskrit—skills that help me connect with diverse communities and global perspectives. At Smith, I’ve taken on several leadership roles, including Vice President of Model UN, President of the Volleyball Club, and Assistant Musical Director for Groove A Cappella. These experiences have strengthened my skills in teamwork, communication, and leadership. I\'m also passionate about community service. I serve as the Internal Affairs Coordinator for the Community Service Organization at the Jandon Center for Community Engagement at Smith, where I help facilitate student involvement in local initiatives. I\'ve also worked with the Youth Empowerment Council for Change, the Federated Conservationists of Westchester, and the Green County Initiative—supporting efforts in social justice and environmental sustainability. These experiences continue to shape my understanding of grassroots change and civic responsibility. I’m excited to continue learning and growing in both academic and professional settings and to contribute meaningfully to work in international relations, human rights, and sustainability.

Experience

1. Labour Mobility and Human Development Intern

   IOM - UN Migration

   Feb 2025 — Present · Geneva, CH

   Collaborated with cross-functional teams within the Labour Mobility and Human Development (LMD) division to research and develop case studies for various IOM country offices, contributing to knowledge-sharing and strategic planning.Conducted data analysis on the Internal Quality (IQ) report, creating visualizations and summarizing key insights to support evidence-based decision-making.Designed and prepared presentation materials to support the rollout of a new organizational guideline, contributing to its pilot implementation across multiple IOM offices.Participated in regular meetings with internal and external stakeholders, gaining exposure to inter-agency collaboration and the operational scope of LMD initiatives.Strengthened core competencies in research, data analysis, and interdepartmental coordination through hands-on involvement in diverse projects.

Education

• Geneva Graduate Institute

  Study Abroad

  2025 — 2025

• Smith College

  Bachelor of Arts - BA