Deepshikha Parmessur '19, International Relations

At the African Leadership Academy, Deepshikha Parmessur '19 guides students as they turn ideas into action through entrepreneurial leadership and community impact. Photo courtesy of Deepshikha Parmessur '19

Born and raised in Mauritius, a small island nation in the Indian Ocean, Deepshikha Parmessur '19 set off at 16 to study at the African Leadership Academy in South Africa. With a lifelong interest in politics and global affairs, she went on to major in international relations at Bucknell. As part of her college experience, she studied abroad in Geneva and Uganda and interned with the Africa Progress Panel led by former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan. Today, she has come full circle, returning to the African Leadership Academy to lead entrepreneurial leadership programs and mentor young leaders from across the continent.

What drew you to international relations?

I always joke that I don't know why, but somehow I knew at 9 years old that I wanted to be involved in politics. Growing up in Mauritius, a very small nation, I became really aware of how voices like ours are often missing or underrepresented on the international stage. I wanted to understand how the global system works and how countries like mine could show up on more equal footing. While I was in South Africa, that interest became more real. I co-founded an International Relations Council and later helped start a Model African Union Conference, which is now one of the largest youth-led conferences on the continent.

How did Bucknell shape your academic and personal journey?

One of the things I appreciated most about Bucknell was the freedom to explore. I came in knowing I wanted to study international relations, but the liberal arts environment encouraged me to try everything — from biology to psychology and astronomy. I eventually found my academic home through international relations, especially in classes with Professor Cymone Fourshey [history and international relations], who had a huge influence on my intellectual growth. Studying abroad in Geneva and Uganda was also transformative — it allowed me to connect theory with real-world experiences in international law and diplomacy. Outside the classroom, I found community through international student groups and the Bucknell Dance Company, which really helped me feel at home.
 

How did your time at Bucknell prepare you for what you do today?

Bucknell gave me both the analytical tools and the confidence to navigate uncertainty. Between studying abroad, interning with the Africa Progress Panel, returning home to work in politics in Mauritius, and later co-founding a company, I learned how to adapt, problem-solve and lead in very different contexts. Just as important, Bucknell emphasized collaboration and community. Those lessons show up every day in my work now — whether I'm mentoring students, designing curriculum or building programs that respond to real needs.
 

What does your role at the African Leadership Academy involve?

I lead the entrepreneurial leadership program, one of the Academy's core pillars. We guide students through discovering their purpose, identifying challenges in their communities and creating solutions using human-centered design. In their second year, students actually run enterprises on campus, taking on roles like CEO and CFO, pitching ideas and making decisions. My role is to support the team delivering this work and to help shape the program so it reflects what leadership and entrepreneurship on the African continent look like today — and where they're headed. It's incredibly rewarding to watch students grow and realize the impact they're capable of creating.