Now in its 20th year, the South Asian Men’s Collective (SAMC) brings Harvard College students together through weekly dinners, open conversations, mentorship, and its annual summit in New York. At the heart of the organization is a close-knit community where students can connect with others who share similar experiences and talk openly about identity, friendship, and life at Harvard. We spoke with three SAMC student leaders about the organization, what brotherhood means to them, and what they’re looking forward to in the year ahead.
Mittal Institute: Can you give us just a little background on yourselves – what year are you, where are you from, and what is your concentration?
Armaan Shah: I am a senior studying Applied Math and Economics, living in Lowell House. I am originally from Chicago, IL. I am the chair of SAMC.
Jith Nambiar: I am a junior studying Psychology and Religion, on the pre-med track, living in Kirkland House. I am from Charlotte, NC. I am vice chair of SAMC.
Pranav Boddupalli: I am a junior studying Economics. I am from a small town called Dundee, IL. I am also vice chair of SAMC.
Left to right: Armaan Shah, Jith Nambia, and Pranav Boddupalli of SAMC.
Mittal Institute: SAMC is in its 20th year. How has the organization evolved since it first began?
Armaan Shah: SAMC has grown in membership and campus presence, but its core values and programming haven’t changed. We still hold Wednesday dinners at Quincy, travel to New York each spring for the SAMC Summit, and end every semester with “long check-ins,” where members reflect candidly in a confidential setting. What has grown most is our mentorship. Alumni now play a larger role, so members have people to turn to at Harvard and after they graduate.
SAMC members and alumni pose for a photo in Washington Square Park during SAMC Summit 2024.
Mittal Institute: What makes SAMC different from other South Asian or cultural organizations at Harvard?
Pranav Boddupalli: SAMC is built around brotherhood and a shared effort to understand what it means to be a South Asian man at Harvard College. Unlike other organizations at Harvard, we aim to keep all of our programming casual, without any application process and with optional attendance. We hope to foster a low-pressure, welcoming environment for all who attend.
Mittal Institute: What does “brotherhood” mean within SAMC, and what kind of community do you hope members find through your group?
Jith Nambiar: Brotherhood in SAMC means showing up for each other beyond the surface. It’s the guys you eat with every Wednesday and the ones you can be honest with during long check-ins when something’s weighing on you. We hope members find a community where they don’t have to explain themselves and be both ambitious and vulnerable, and where those friendships and mentorships last well past graduation.
“We hope members find a community where they don’t have to explain themselves and be both ambitious and vulnerable, and where those friendships and mentorships last well past graduation.”
Mittal Institute: What has being part of SAMC taught you about your own identity that you might not have explored otherwise?
Jith Nambiar: Hearing other members talk openly about the same tensions made me realize I wasn’t navigating them alone. It taught me that being South Asian isn’t one fixed thing. It’s something I get to define for myself.
The SAMC 2025-26 Board at a dinner.
Mittal Institute: How does SAMC create space for conversations about what it means to be a South Asian man today?
Jith Nambiar: In the literal sense, we have dinner every Wednesday and check in with one another very endearingly. Candidly speaking, we make sure that everyone feels safe speaking up and letting each other know how important having these introspective yet warm and funny conversations is to improving our brotherhood.
Mittal Institute: What do you hope students gain from being part of SAMC?
Armaan Shah: I hope members leave with mentors and friends they can always count on. SAMC gives students a built-in support system and an easy way to make close friends.
Mittal Institute: What is your favorite SAMC memory?
Armaan Shah: The NYC Summit my freshman year. We met alumni over lunch downtown, then spent the rest of the trip exploring the city and doing activities together as a collective. Then, we reconvened for dinner with additional alumni.
SAMC members and alumni at brunch during SAMC Summit 2024.
Mittal Institute: As we look ahead to the new academic year, are there any upcoming events or initiatives that you’re most looking forward to?
Pranav Boddupalli: We look forward to welcoming our new class of freshmen during our Welcome Dinner. We hope to expand on our programming by hosting sports watch parties and career mentorship sessions. And, of course, we will end the academic year with the SAMC Summit in NYC.
Mittal Institute: How can people learn more about SAMC?
Armaan Shah: Contact any of our board members, and we’ll add you to our communication list for future events. Membership is open to Harvard College undergraduates.
Chair: Armaan Shah
Vice Chair: Jith Nambiar
Vice Chair: Pranav Boddupalli
Brotherhood Chair: Aidan Peter
Brotherhood Chair: Shaurya Jeloka
Brotherhood Chair: Rishab Jain
Brotherhood Chair: Vishwum Kapadia
☆ The views represented herein are those of the interview subject and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Mittal Institute, its staff, or its steering committee.