Atharv Joshi ’26 is already enjoying Carolina’s campus, but he is excited to explore more of the United States through the Morehead-Cain Global Fellows program. (Jon Gardiner/UNC-Chapel Hill)
posted via unc.edu on Thursday, October 2nd, 2025.
Atharv Joshi ’26 has only been in Chapel Hill for a couple of months, but he has already seen how welcoming the community is.
“Wherever I have been, I’ve been welcomed with open arms,” said Joshi. “That’s very impressive and something I’m grateful for.”
Joshi is part of the inaugural class of Morehead-Cain Global Fellows. The 12 fellows, who represent Azerbaijan, Brazil, India, Nigeria and Turkey, will study at Carolina for one year.
“What sets this program apart from others is you have a plethora of flexibility in terms of what you want to do. There are no set guidelines for courses you have to take,” said Joshi. “For my degree at my home university, I am focusing on development and economics, but here I’m learning new things, ranging from Persian, religious studies, comparative theology and peace, war and defense.”
He’s excited to explore the United States beyond Chapel Hill, too. Joshi plans to visit San Francisco, Chicago, New York City and Florida through the program. He also hopes to visit the Outer Banks and attend Indian festivals in the Chapel Hill area.
“The Morehead-Cain Foundation is making sure we get the most out of our visit and we’re not just limited to our academics,” said Joshi.
Back at his home university, the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Joshi is earning his integrated Master of Arts in development studies. Through his degree, he is learning about economics, philosophy, public policy, sociology and gender studies.
His research at IIT-M is associated with the intersectionality between climate change and gender, showing the integration of economics associated around both topics. He has traveled to Canada to research these topics with the University of Alberta School of Public Health, examining the coastal fishing community.
Joshi’s main mission, however, has been to make a difference in government and policy, helping with student politics and serving on the student legislative council. He convened a two-day pan-IIT student governance summit, the first of its kind in India, with student leaders to talk about issues important to students like dining, facilities, academic policy and research.
He legislated several policies around efficient budget allocation and financial monitoring, substance abuse, mental health and well-being; Joshi wants to address increases in substance abuse and strengthen measures student leaders can take to assist. He initiated dialogue with the university administration on how the university’s wellness center could approach this issue by creating a safe space for students.
Joshi has enjoyed seeing the research opportunities at Carolina through his courses and connecting with others. He hopes to hold those relationships in his time after the program.“I have enjoyed the professors and how engaging my classes have been,” said Joshi. “The Tar Heel environment is something that amazed me a lot, too, in terms of extracurricular activities.”
Once Joshi graduates, he hopes to enter public services in India then pursue politics to make a difference in the lives of Indians and people throughout the world.
