Akshaya has made a meaningful impact at Georgia Tech through her leadership and dedication to empowering others. As the Student-Faculty Affairs Co-Chair for the School of Cybersecurity and Privacy's Graduate Student Association, she has been instrumental in improving student-faculty relations and advocating for graduate student needs. One of her most significant achievements was leading the effort to secure a 15% increase in graduate student stipends. After identifying financial challenges faced by graduate students through a survey, Akshaya and her team presented their findings to the school’s advisory committee, resulting in tangible improvements to the financial stability of her peers. Her ability to translate student concerns into meaningful action reflects her deep commitment to Service and Progress. 

Akshaya's leadership extends beyond financial advocacy. She founded SecuriTea, a weekly social hour designed to strengthen the sense of community among graduate students and faculty. Additionally, she played a pivotal role in organizing student lunches with faculty candidates, ensuring that graduate student voices were considered in hiring decisions. Her dedication to building a more inclusive and connected community also extends to her work as a founding member of the College of Computing Association for Graduate Women and Gender Diversity. Through this organization, she has created outreach events and research opportunities aimed at empowering women and gender minorities in computer science. 

Akshaya’s influence reaches beyond campus as well. As a co-founder and organizer of the Women in Cryptography event at the Real World Cryptography Symposium, she has established a platform for advancing diversity and collaboration in her field. Her service-minded approach also led her to the MathKangaroo competition, where she inspired K-12 students to engage with STEM. Through her thoughtful leadership and advocacy, Akshaya has embodied Georgia Tech’s motto of Progress and Service, leaving a legacy of empowerment, inclusivity, and meaningful change