Advancing Technology Through Public Service and National Collaboration

Varsha Shukla, PhD Innovation Fellow at Dartmouth's Thayer School of Engineering and President of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Dartmouth Student Chapter, recently joined a national delegation for IEEE-USA Congressional Visits Day (CVD) 2025 in Washington, D.C. The annual event brings together the country's leading engineers, scientists, and technologists to engage directly with Members of Congress and government leaders to support innovation, STEM education, and responsible technology development.

Representing both Dartmouth and the IEEE New Hampshire Section, Shukla met with congressional staff and federal leaders to discuss the critical role of engineering and scientific research in shaping a stronger, more resilient future for the United States.

"It was deeply encouraging to witness firsthand the thoughtful leadership and genuine curiosity from government officials on matters of emerging technology and innovation," said Shukla. "These conversations reaffirmed that government is not just a policymaker, it is a proactive partner in building a future guided by ethical, evidence-based innovation."

Shukla joined the New Hampshire delegation, in meetings with legislative offices committed to ensuring America remains a global leader in research and development. The event, organized by IEEE-USA, featured strategic discussions on AI governance, federal R&D support, technology transfer, and STEM workforce development.

Shukla is currently conducting research on evaluation and trustworthiness of large language models (LLMs) and is passionate about aligning artificial intelligence with national goals around security, equity, and innovation. As a student leader and researcher, her contributions reflect the vital link between academic insight and public service.

"The government's leadership in supporting foundational science, enabling responsible AI, and championing STEM education is pivotal," said Shukla. "It was an honor to advocate for policies that uphold these values on behalf of Dartmouth and the broader engineering community."

Shukla expressed sincere appreciation to the IEEE New Hampshire leadership, Barbara Bancroft, Jim Isaak, Dr. Sridhar Raghavan, and the section board, for their nomination and support. She also extended her heartfelt thanks to the IEEE-USA team, including Annie Perrin Grisham, Erik H., Erica Wissolik, Kathleen Kramer, and Barry Tilton, P.E., PMP, for their exceptional coordination and commitment to civic engagement through engineering.

Her participation embodies the mission of the Guarini School and Dartmouth Engineering, preparing future leaders to build bridges between science, society, and policy, and to do so in partnership with those guiding our nation forward.