By Izzy Wilson - Gaylord College Media Practicum
As graduation approaches, Aniketh Koneru, a senior Public Relations major, reflects on his Gaylord College experience. His four years here have been shaped not only by the supportive community of peers and mentors but also the incredible opportunities that he took hold of. With the encouragement of others, Aniketh utilized the Student Experience Fund to elevate his voice to a national level.
Aniketh was able to travel to the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication Research conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he became the first Gaylord College undergraduate to co-author and present at such an event. “The Student Experience Fund paid for my plane ticket,” Aniketh said. “I otherwise would not have [had] the opportunity to attend.”
This trip gave Aniketh the access to display his excellent work on a national stage and find a network of connections that she would not have been able to reach without the Student Experience Fund’s assistance. Aniketh views funds like this as the foundation of support for the initiatives to improve “the quality of student life and reputation of Gaylord.”
“[It’s] what makes Gaylord the amazing, nationally renowned program that it is,” Aniketh said. “Some of the brightest and passionate students at OU come from Gaylord, and we’re able to accomplish more…through the Student Experience Fund.”
Outside of funding student trips to conferences, tours of agencies, and opportunities to meet with distinguished alumni all over the country, the Student Experience Fund allows students to fully expand their knowledge and experience while making connections with fellow Gaylord College students and creating lifelong memories. The generous donations to this fund allow everyone within Gaylord College, regardless of their path or goal, to reach their greatest potential in real-world experiences and value.
Aniketh advises that students keep an open mind about the possible uses of the fund and explore the endless opportunities that it can provide. “It doesn't have to be one type of experience,” he said. “Utilize the fund.”
Joy Akande, like many other Gaylord College students, has taken initiative during her time so far at the University of Oklahoma. Joy is a current senior studying advertising and is a current co-team lead for Gaylord College Media’s marketing team. She also is a creative lead in Gaylord’s Lindsey + Asp, a student-led advertisement and public relations team that focuses on youth culture. Joy utilizes these organizations to express her love for creating content and showing others what it’s like to be a student at OU.
For many students, the path to higher education is linear. For others, it is winding. For Artra Nelson, a soon-to-be graduate of Gaylord College, this path included a stint in the Navy, a degree in political science, and a growing passion for public relations.
As graduation approaches, Aniketh Koneru, a senior Public Relations major, reflects on his Gaylord College experience. His four years here have been shaped not only by the supportive community of peers and mentors but also the incredible opportunities that he took hold of. With the encouragement of others, Aniketh utilized the Student Experience Fund to elevate his voice to a national level.
Renteria is a junior majoring in public relations and minoring in Spanish and human relations, and is very involved on campus– she’s a resident advisor, a Henderson Scholar, in the President’s Community Scholars, in Crimson Club and will be a Gaylord ambassador this upcoming year. She has also received a slew of awards during her time at OU so far, including the Regents Award for Outstanding Juniors.
