Impression: Suhas Subramanyam

As a Tulane student in post-Katrina New Orleans, Suhas Subramanyam (SLA ’08) found his calling in service — one that would ultimately lead him to Capitol Hill. Now a U.S. Representative for Virginia’s 10th Congressional District, Subramanyam credits his experiences at Tulane with shaping his career in public service.

“My time at Tulane was very formative in getting me on this path,” says Subramanyam.

When Subramanyam arrived at Tulane, he was on the pre-med track, planning to follow in the footsteps of his parents by becoming a doctor. Then Hurricane Katrina struck, forcing him to temporarily relocate to Rice University in Houston, his hometown. When he returned to New Orleans, Subramanyam felt compelled to do more than just watch from the sidelines.

“I wanted to be part of the rebuilding of New Orleans,” he said. He took on a leadership role in the Tulane Green Club, focusing on environmental initiatives, and became deeply involved in CACTUS, Tulane’s community service organization. “Before Katrina, I was just kind of going through the motions, unsure of what I would do with my life. But afterward, I saw a purpose — serving the community.”

He began working closely with the City Council and the mayor’s office. One initiative focused on hosting out-of-town volunteer groups to aid in rebuilding efforts, while another pushed for more environmentally friendly reconstruction.

He was sports editor for The Hullabaloo, and his growing involvement in local politics sparked an interest in covering news and policy. He took an internship in Washington, D.C., for “This Week with George Stephanopoulos” at ABC News.

“I took that opportunity to just follow producers at ABC around Capitol Hill, and that’s when I started being more aware of what happens in national politics.”

During Subramanyam’s senior year, he was offered a position on a congressional campaign in Houston. Then, he went on to earn his law degree from Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law. After graduation, he joined former President Barack Obama’s White House as a technology policy advisor.

In 2019, he made history as the first South Asian American elected to the Virginia General Assembly. Four years later, in 2023, he continued his political rise by winning a seat in the Virginia Senate. Building on this momentum, Subramanyam was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in November 2024, representing Virginia’s 10th Congressional District, and was sworn in on January 3, 2025.

Through it all, Tulane has remained a defining part of his journey. He values staying engaged with the Tulane community, and this dedication to fostering the next generation of leaders is reflected in his own office, where Tulane alumnus Matthew Fisher (SLA ’23) now serves as a staffer.

Looking back, Subramanyam credits Tulane with providing not only an education but also a foundation for leadership, service and lifelong connections.