Reena Patel, First Gen Doctoral Student at the University of South Carolina and 2019 GlobalMindED First Gen Class Alum

What are your aspirations to improve America as we celebrate Independence Day this year? 

My main aspiration is to introduce diversity of thought in as many situations as possible. When having the opportunity to respectfully and ethically disrupt status quo, it is important I present options that are creative and unconventional. For example, when discussing criterion for scholarship applicants, traditional measures must be questioned if we want a fair system. This leads me to an additional aspiration - the courage to speak up against status quo functioning. Courage combined with well thought out plans delivered with respect and passion can move mountains. If not, it is important to persist because a "yes" is naturally there for every time you attempt to make a change.

What are your goals and commitments in your own life as a leader? 

There are two main commitments I have made that I believe are critical for me to be an effective leader. The first one is to stay humble. When experiencing or seeing injustice play out in the world being humble will naturally lead me to sincerely question and appropriately react. This will allow me to create opportunities for others who deserve to have their shot despite the world telling them no. Ultimately, it will ensure my moral compass is guiding me with the basic principle of being a good human being. 

Being humble also requires me to a digestive listener. A leader does not have to be the person with the microphone. It is crucial this microphone is shared to make informed decisions. Furthermore, being completely present when listening to others will magnify what you hear and take away from their voice. 

Overall, my goal is to keep myself accountable in leading a life with a respectable moral compass. 

How did your experience at GlobalMindED this year impact your resolve to make our country and the world a more equitable place? 

I had the privilege of attending the First Generation Student Leadership Program and present at the Idea Cafe while meeting incredible innovators and visionaries that I admire. Each experience and interaction reassured and reignited my passion to expose, educate, and empower our community. 

During the First Generation Student Leadership Program, I was able to meet fellow First Gen students. As a doctoral student with research interests focusing on first-generation college student access and success, I was able to immerse myself in their narratives to inform my understanding of their current world. While scholarly reading is necessary, it is equally important to stay connected to current day experiences from their perspective. My peers were excited, passionate, and genuinely wanting to make the world a better place. Their drive reignited my passion to continue to do my part in helping all of us achieve our goals. GlobalMindED was beautifully rich in the diversity of professions it brought together. I was able to learn from policy makers to CEO's to film makers. The flexibility I have in choosing a career that can still keep my passion to create a more equitable educational system was exciting to learn.