Member Spotlight

Savita Katarya

Education Program Assistant

Savita Katarya speaks with excitement in her voice when she speaks of the Diversity Council’s biggest asset, “the wonderful people I’m getting to know and work with!” 

Savita is new to the Diversity Council staff, replacing Moses Pecinovsky as part-time Education Program Assistant.  She will be working with the logistics of the Prejudice Reduction Workshops, coordinating the public and private school presentations in Rochester and surrounding communities.

“My main job is to take care of the Prejudice Reduction Workshop scheduling so that classes go smoothly,” she explains.  Savita will also be doing follow-up after the sessions, important to maintaining continuing evaluation.

Savita came to this country from Delhi, India, 21 years ago and lived in Colorado and Illinois before coming to Rochester 13 years ago.  She has three children, her oldest just heading off to college.

Her education background in India began in an English convent school, leading to a college degree in accounting.  She is currently close to completing a degree in Human Resources Management through St. Mary’s University. 

Savita’s first job in this country was in Colorado.  She told that even though she was the only woman from India in a department of 200, “I received a warm welcome and made friends from all different backgrounds.  Even though I was new to everything, it was never a problem connecting with people of other backgrounds and finding out about the diversity around me.”

She later worked the State Health Department of Colorado in the Handicapped Children’s Program, and then as a bookkeeper in Illinois. Here in Rochester she has held a position as an Adult Youth Commissioner for Olmsted County. “I have always worked with numbers, but I feel strength in working with people,” she explained.

Citing her father as a profound influence in her life, Savita described him as “open-minded, caring for everybody, a role model for me, a wonderful person.  He would agree with my belief that everyone needs a fair chance, everyone needs someone to listen and that we all need to feel accepted and feel important.” 

In 2000, Savita volunteered to set up Hindi language classes for Rochester youth from six to sixteen years old.  She designed the classes, creating a curriculum so that the students could connect with their background and the grandparents and relatives remaining in India. 

Two years ago she took the Diversity Council training and became a Prejudice Reduction Workshop facilitator.  “What the Diversity Council is doing is having a long-term impact.  When I came to Rochester in 1993 there was not that much diversity as we are seeing now.  The workshop education is very powerful, taking fear from minds and making understanding grow.  The earlier you start, the better.”

1130 1/2 7th St NW, Suite 204 , Rochester, MN 55901 · Tel: 507.282.9951 · Fax: 507.282.9964 · info@diversitycouncil.org

Diversity...It's all about respect.