Born in Hyderabad, India, on July 5, 1964; educated at Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia (PhD, English); Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia (B.A., magna cum laude, English) ; Founding Director Of The Center For Excellence In Teaching & Learning, Reynolds Community College, Richmond, Virginia; married to Azhar Rafiq; Board Member, Richmond Chapter, Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities ; Multicultural Enrichment Award, Virginia, Reynolds Faculty Leadership Award, Reynolds Scholar Award (Reynolds Community College, American Association of University Professors - Virginia Chapter Colonel Michael S. Harris Award (2025), Virginia Association for Career and Technical Education Policymaker of the Year (2025), Virginia Promise in Action Child Care Champion of the Year (2024), Chesapeake Climate Action Network Climate All Star Award (2024), Virginia Education Association Legislative Champion Award (2024), Psychiatric Society of Virginia Legislator of the Year (2024), National Association of Social Workers - Virginia Chapter Legislator of the Year (2024) Virginia Counselors Association Legislator of the Year (2023), Friend of Foreign Language Association of Virginia (FLAVA) Award (2023), Virginia League of Conservation Voters Legislative Leadership Award (2023), Hamkae Center Community Courage Award (2023), Democratic Asian Americans of Virginia (DAAV) Fearless Leader Award (2023), Rising Virginia, Aggie Wolf Defender of Choice Award (2023), Friend of Virginia Council of Administrators of Special Education (VCASE) Award (2023), Virginia Education Association (VEA) Legislative Champion of the Year Award (2023), Virginia Interfaith Power and Light (VAIPL) Champion of Justice Award (2022), Chesterfield County Democratic Committee (CCDC) Chesterfield Champion Award (2022), Sierra Club Virginia Environmental Hero Award (2022), Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN) Action Fund Climate Champion (2022), Edu-Futuro Leadership in Education Policy Award (2021), Sierra Club Virginia Legislator Award (2021), Aligarh University Sir Syed Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Leadership and Public Service (2021); Member of the Senate: 2020-