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Rushik Patel

PSA student Rushik standing in front of tree

Why did you choose WVU?

Growing up in West Virginia my whole life, I knew that WVU was a university I wanted to attend. When talking to upperclassmen, they were always captivated by the opportunities they had at WVU and the ability to pursue their dreams at the university. As I grew older and obtained the opportunity to visit campus for myself, I was fascinated by the university’s commitment to inclusion and diversity and the large demographic of people that were on campus. I was also immersed to the university’s vast student organizations, where I found a variety of clubs that I wanted to be a part of. Most of all, everyone was proud to be a Mountaineer and I knew that I wanted to be a part of this community.

What is your favorite Mountaineer memory?

Last semester, I had an opportunity to attend an “Among Us” event hosted by the Inclusion Committee within the Student Government Association. This event allowed me to meet new people from diverse organizations across campus and obtain a better understanding of inclusion efforts within the university. I was also able to make new friends while playing a competitive game.

Why did you want to become a PSA?

I have always wanted to represent WVU! As a PSA, I will be able to share my experiences with prospective students and explain why I call WVU home. Additionally, this program will not only improve my leadership abilities, but it will allow me to progress my public speaking skills.

What did you learn from the PSA experience?

This fantastic experience has taught me that being a PSA means more than improving my public speaking skills. As a PSA, I have been able to express my passion for the university, state, and the opportunities I have taken advantage of thus far. Additionally, I have been able to better define leadership and find leadership styles that best fit me. I have learned from the experiences of a variety of amazing speakers from around the world and implement the lessons learned from their journeys into my daily life.

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