A Greater Mission
Ohio Wesleyan Students Work Together in Service Through Circle K International
Name: Kavyanjali Sidhanta '28
Hometown: Mumbai, India
High School: RiverDale International Revenue School
Majors: Microbiology, Biochemistry, and Pre-Medicine
Minor: Chemistry
OWU Connection Experience: Sidhanta and other members of OWU's chapter of Circle K International (CKI) are working to "do good" as part of the OWU Connection, Ohio Wesleyan's signature experience. Examples of recent projects include the Yellow Tulip Project (planting bulbs on campus as part of a youth-driven campaign to smash the stigma surrounding mental illness one tulip at a time), as well as blood drives and stress awareness campaigns.
"I serve as the 2026-27 President of Circle K International, an organization on campus centered on service, leadership, and fellowship," Sidhanta says. "CKI is the world's largest student-led collegiate service organization.
"Our team recently received several awards at the CKI Ohio District Convention, an achievement so significant that we were even featured in the Delaware Gazette! Being a part of this group has been a highlight of my OWU experience, and I'm eager to share the lessons I've learned about leadership and making a difference."
Being part of a mission greater than myself helped me discover a deep-seated love for helping others.
Why This Experience?
"Initially, I was drawn to Circle K International for its professional development and leadership opportunities, obviously, to make my resume look good. However, I stayed because of the incredible community I found, mentors and friends united by a shared passion for service.
"Being part of a mission greater than myself helped me discover a deep-seated love for helping others. CKI provided the resources and platform I needed to turn that passion into tangible action, allowing me to grow both as a leader and an advocate for our community."
My Favorite Moments
"Every Monday evening meeting is a highlight, a productive escape from a fast-paced college routine. It's the dedicated hour where I can step away from the stresses of college life to focus on others. …
"My standout memory is attending the Fall Rally. It was an incredibly enriching experience to interact with CKI members from across Central Ohio. We had the opportunity to exchange perspectives and participate in events centered on our three tenets: service, leadership, and fellowship. This event truly showed me the scale of the impact we can make when we work together."
The Circle K Community
"Our faculty advisor, Michele Nobel (associate professor of Education), has been very kind and supportive of all of our endeavors!
"The success of our club would not even exist if it weren't for all of our members! I am so grateful for this group of passionate and dedicated members who contribute to our efforts and truly make an impact.
"Our wonderful executive team has been the backbone of this club: Eric Sander, our vice president, who will always bring a smile to your face; Sophia Rohr, our exceptionally organized secretary; Taylor Thompson, Aida Gesink, and Doyi Kim, our diligent treasurers, whose financial management makes our service projects possible; and our creative PR managers, Layla Shirey and Bisesh Katel, who share our mission with the campus. And last but not least, our former president, Ian Sander, who has been there for me more times than I can count, as a mentor and as a friend. Without his skillful leadership and guidance, our club would have never reached the great heights it has today."
Lessons Learned
"This experience taught me that leadership is just as much about empathy as it is about organization. I spend a lot of time studying the technical side of human health in my classes, but CKI has taught me the social side, the importance of community support.
"The biggest lesson I've learned is that service is a reciprocal relationship. While I started CKI to contribute to the community, I've found that the community has contributed just as much to my own happiness and growth of character.
"Experiences like these matter because they bridge the gaps between being a student and being a citizen. CKI has prepared me for my own future by instilling a sense of empathy and the duty to serve the community around me that I will carry with me long after I graduate from OWU, ensuring that whatever I decide to pursue is always rooted in service to others."
Campus Involvements
"I work at the Registrar's Office as a student guide. I also work in the Admission Office as a student ambassador and tour guide. I am a competing delegate for the Model United Nations Club. I am also involved with Horizons, which is our Multicultural Club, Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students (MAPS), and Women in STEM."
Why Ohio Wesleyan?
"I came for the community, the OWU Connection, and the multitude of opportunities available to me. OWU gave me the opportunity to not only study what I am passionate about and want to pursue in my future but also the space to explore and still express my creativity through my extracurriculars."
My Plans After Graduation
"I want to engage in Biomedical and Biotechnological Research, and OWU is giving me a well-rounded education and helping me grow not only professionally but also personally."