Today’s #HumansofCDP are Marisa Aratingi '27 and Anita Sharma '27. See what these two have to say about facilitating and one another!
How has CDP impacted your life outside of Cornell?
Marisa:
CDP has really changed the way I show up in spaces beyond campus. I’ve noticed that I listen more intentionally and try to ask questions that open up conversations instead of shutting them down. Whether I’m with friends, family, or in professional settings, I carry the skills from CDP with me, allowing me to be more comfortable with dialogue across disagreement and more aware of the systems shaping people’s everyday lives. It’s helped me not only as a student, but also as a friend and leader outside of Cornell.
Why did you become a facilitator?
Anita:
I became a facilitator to deepen my understanding of social identities and to build authentic connections with fellow Cornell students. My own facilitators transformed the way I view the world and its challenges, and stepping into this role is my way of paying that forward. I want to help peers feel heard and help our community become thoughtful, powerful agents of change!
What have you learned from your co-facilitator?
Marisa:
I’ve learned so much from Anita’s presence and approach to facilitation. She’s intentional about creating space for everyone’s voice and models patience and thoughtfulness in a way that pushes me to slow down and listen. I also admire how she brings her international perspective into our conversations. It reminds me to consider how culture shapes systems in ways I might overlook. Working with her has made me a more reflective and collaborative facilitator.
What's your favorite thing about your co-facilitator?
Anita:
I appreciate how Marisa shares my passion for helping Cornell peers think critically about complex societal issues. She pushes me to consider perspectives I might have missed, which makes our conversations more meaningful. We’re different in background and style, but we connect across those differences and share a drive to model the thoughtful, curious dialogue we want our peers to practice.