By Dorian Martin ’06 

Devashish Akhare ’24 understands what it’s like to head into the unknown—and how Texas A&M University feels like home, despite having the nation’s largest student enrollment. Now the Biology major from Houston, Texas is committed to welcoming everyone with the warm Aggie Spirit and helping them find their place on campus. 

Born and educated in India as a Hindu before moving to the United States, Akhare choose Texas A&M so he could move forward with a clean slate. “I did not have many friends as an incoming freshman, and neither did I know any students who were already attending Texas A&M,” he said. “All of this was on top of the fact that I was an incoming freshman of the COVID class, which prevented me from attending Fish Camp as well as the New Student Conference.”  

These roadblocks didn’t stop him once he enrolled as a freshman. “As I put myself out there and talked to more Aggies and developed those professional and personal relationships, my struggles turned into challenges where I wanted to tackle every issue and problem that I had,” he said. “With the support of those around me such as my friends and professors, I have successfully completed two years and am looking forward to what Aggieland holds for me in the upcoming future.” 

Embracing Aggieland 

During his first year on campus, Akhare started working with the Texas A&M Division of Student Affairs’ Department of Residence Life (DRL). He now is an integral part of DRL’s Conference & Guest Services team that plans summer camps, conferences and housing tours that welcome many people—including prospective students--to Aggieland.  

Because of his own background, Akhare is sensitive to the challenges that international students face. “Since I started attending Texas A&M as an international student, it was very important for me that international Aggies also felt welcomed and invited to Texas A&M,” he explained. “As an officer in the International Student Association, I have been able to do that by planning various events and mentoring many international students.” 

And Akhare has been very active in supporting Aggies who have disabilities. “I was an Aggie Achieve roommate, which was a very enriching experience for me,” he said. “I also volunteer as a peer notetaker for the Department of Disability Resources.” 

Exploring New Areas 

In addition to studying Biology, Akhare is pursuing a minor in Business. “I am very curious and interested to know about how things work around me, and the biggest concept or idea would be life,” he said. “The world has been advancing rapidly in the past two decades than it has ever before due to many brilliant ideas. Business skills have become more important than ever before, and since I am a very curious individual and love to learn and try new things, I decided to minor in Business to learn these skills.” 

Akhare also is part of Texas A&M’s University and Biology honors programs. “Being a part of the honors programs gives me a great opportunity to complete a capstone project and leave a mark on Texas A&M as well as complete my studies with a research project of my interest which would be very beneficial to my future and career,” he explained. 

The Aggie has availed himself of the opportunity to work with Texas A&M’s world-class researchers.  “I have been part of a research team that developed a solution to a real-world health care problem and am currently working in another research lab,” he said, adding that he hopes to earn either an MD or a PhD and work in healthcare or medicine. 

New Frontiers 

While he enjoys outdoor activities and is especially drawn to running, soccer, and karate, Akhare’s continually exploring new options to grow while at Texas A&M. “Recent hobbies include dancing and archery since I came to Texas A&M,” he said. “It might not seem like a hobby but something that I also really like to do is volunteering and service.” 

He takes special pride in representing Texas A&M as part of a competitive dance team that has placed in various competitions throughout the United States. “Joining the dance team gave me a huge opportunity to represent Texas A&M on a national level,” he said. “I have competed in Karate at the national and international level and being able to represent something and winning while doing it is one of the most amazing feelings for me and my competitive spirit.” 

Akhare appreciates the wide variety of opportunities, experiences and relationships he’s engaging in at Texas A&M. “Through my organizations and my desire to make friends and be able to talk to people, I am able to interact with many different students and faculty as well as other Aggies who are all part of Texas A&M,” he explained. “This gives me a very enriching experience by getting to know people and the reason behind why Texas A&M is the way it is.”  

Yet, he points to the university’s unique spirit as being the most important part of his Aggie experience.  “My favorite part about being an Aggie is the respect and the identity of success which comes with being an Aggie, not just on this planet but even beyond in space,” he said. “The small things such as being a proud Aggie and representing Texas A&M outside of College Station by wearing the merch or simply greeting someone--especially those who seem to be alumni--with a ‘Howdy’ gives me a bigger sense of belonging at Texas A&M and how important my time spent here is.”