As OU’s most outstanding senior prepares to graduate, she reflected on her experience as a first-generation student, the people she would leave behind and the communities that shaped her.
After seeing her sister at OU, business management senior Jhanvi Patel was drawn to the community and student experience on campus, and decided to follow in her footsteps.
During her four years at OU, Patel joined several student organizations, including the OU Food Pantry, Pre-Law Society and South Asian Student Association. During her junior year, Patel was inducted into the PE-ET Honor Society, which is made up of the top 10 seniors, and was selected for the 2025 homecoming royalty court.
As a first-generation student, Patel said it is easy to become overwhelmed by the many ways to get involved on campus. Patel recalled feeling like she had a lack of institutional knowledge compared to her peers due to being a first-generation student, but she encouraged others in her position to pursue their passions regardless of obstacles.
"My goal coming into college was to be a better, more well rounded person when I left. And I think that the things that were most important to me were getting myself involved in things that would allow that to happen," Patel said.
Despite the obstacles that came with being a first-generation student, Patel said she was proud to represent her parents' hard work and sacrifices through her accomplishments. In November 2025, Patel was selected from 16 distinguished seniors across campus and awarded most outstanding senior, recognizing her leadership, service and academic achievements.
Leaving a positive impact at OU was important to Patel. As a first-generation student, Patel created a new legacy for her family as a college graduate.
"I'm so proud to be a first-generation student. … So much of being a first-gen student is just doing it scared," Patel said.
Patel credited her campus involvement with giving her the confidence to engage with the OU community. As a freshman surrounded by opportunities, Patel said she leaned on her community in President's Leadership Class, a freshman scholarship and leadership development program, to help her find her way during such an overwhelming period.
"My involvement in the President's Leadership Class my freshman year really kick-started what the rest of my three years here have looked like. Without PLC my freshman year, I probably would have been a little bit more hesitant to try the things that I ended up trying later on," Patel said. "Involvement has really been the cornerstone of what I do here, and I think it's made my experience as a college student that much more fulfilling."
PLC and other organizations introduced Patel to leadership opportunities that shaped her college experience — such as her positions as Crimson Club's vice chair, a civic engagement fellow for Oklahoma Votes, and becoming a Burr Scholar and cultural engagement chair for PLC.
Through her experience in campus organizations, Patel discovered a foundational principle to live by: mentorship. Patel said her involvement taught her the importance of bringing others forward by supporting the next generation.
"You are only as good as the people you can bring after you," Patel said. "It's not about whether or not you're successful. Are the generations after you also going to be able to be successful after you're gone?"
As a first-year, Patel said that she understood the importance of mentorship but doubted her ability to be a mentor for others. Through her campus engagement and the mentorship she received, Patel said she found security in the wisdom and experience she has to share.
Patel said she was impacted by many mentors during her time at OU, including Faith Martin, Oklahoma Votes director; Nanette Hathaway, PLC and Crimson Club director; and Matt Marks, OU Food Pantry adviser. From Marks, Patel said she learned the importance of having passion for what you do.
"He's got this joy and passion for the work that he does, and it reminds me that's what it's about. … From him, I've learned that community building is core to anything that we do, and to have joy in your endeavors," Patel said.
As a Burr Scholar, Patel had the opportunity to mentor a group of first-years in the PLC program — the same spot she was in three years prior.
"Being a Burr Scholar was a dream of mine. … So when I got it I was just over the moon," Patel said. "I watch (the first-year group) and just think, ‘Wow, you're going to do amazing things.’"
As graduation grew closer and Patel began to plan her next steps, she looked back on the growth she experienced during her undergraduate career. Patel gave one last piece of advice to the next generation of Sooners.
"What I would say to my freshman year self is that it all works itself out in the end. There really isn't anything to be scared of," Patel said.
This story was edited by Audrey McClour and Natalie Armour. Gretchen Schultz copy edited this story.
