MassBay Names Pranshu Shah as the 2026 Student Trustee

MassBay Community College computer science student Pranshu Shah has been elected to serve as the College’s 2026 Student Trustee.

“During my time at MassBay, I’ve grown in ways I never expected when I first arrived,” said Shah. “I’ve grown as a leader, as a friend, as a person. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunities I’ve had there, and I’ll do my best to represent the students of MassBay with integrity as the Student Trustee.”

Shah, an international student from India, now living in Bellingham, MA, is a graduate of Bellingham High School. Originally intending on studying at University of Massachusetts Lowell, a last-minute challenge with scholarships led him to apply at MassBay, where he found a welcoming and supportive community that quickly exceeded his expectations.

He has been deeply involved in campus life, currently serving as President of the International Club, Computer Science Club, and Indian Club. Shah has also been involved with the Student Government Association for approximately two years, previously serving as a Senator and Vice President of Public Relations. In addition, he is the IT Coordinator and an executive member of the National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS).

Shah’s leadership and academic achievements have earned him recognition on the Dean’s List every semester. He and his team were recently selected as the Global Nominees in the NASA International Space Apps Challenge for the Cambridge area. Last year, the Indian Club received the Club of the Year Impact Award, and Shah was also honored individually with an Impact Award for his contributions to the MassBay community.

Reflecting on his experience, Shah credits the strong sense of community at MassBay for his personal and leadership growth. “People here were always encouraging and open, and that made it easier to step outside my comfort zone,” he said. “Looking back, I’m really grateful for the experiences and relationships I’ve built here.”

After MassBay, Shah plans to transfer to a four-year university to continue his studies in computer science, with the goal of earning a bachelor’s degree and then a master’s degree. He aspires to pursue a career in data science, with a particular interest in machine learning, using data to better understand complex problems and build meaningful solutions.