USC Undergraduate Student Government President-elect Divya Jakatdar once felt “lost” as a freshman on campus. Now, the daughter of Indian immigrants will assume the high office April 25.
Holding the hand of her running mate, Jakatdar, a junior studying political science, lit up with a smile when the results were read. Of the 4,105 ballots cast, students elected the female ticket with 38% of the vote.
Jakatdar’s road to the most elite student leadership position on campus was no easy feat. In an interview with Annenberg Media, Jakatdar shared how a long journey to self-acceptance peeled back her passions and purpose.
“There is definitely self-hate that begins when you’re growing up,” Jakatdar said. “From my own experiences, lots of feeling like I’m not doing enough with the stereotypes that are placed on me.”
Growing up in Silicon Valley with immigrant parents and engineers by trade, Jakatdar said she struggled to find her true north.
“The biggest thing was the spaces that I was interested in being a part of didn’t feel like spaces that were meant for me,” Jakatdar said. “I felt that I constantly had to prove something, and I constantly felt aware of the way that I looked and the personality that I was supposed to have.”
The pressure to pursue a career in STEM took a toll on Jakatdar, but she thanks her family for letting her follow her heart.
“My parents really emphasized that no matter what you do — if it’s something that you care about — that’s how you’re going to make a meaningful change,” Jakatdar said. “We’re measured by how we benefit other people.”
Jakatdar had a lightbulb moment while serving as student body president in high school. Challenged with low attendance rates at social events, Jakatdar led a project to create a subsidy fund, so low-income students could attend prom.
That next year, the accomplished high school senior traded Northern California for a new adventure in Southern California. An activist at heart, Jakatdar said the USG presidency never crossed her mind as the freshman struggled to find her footing on campus.
“It’s such a huge school. I was not so sure I was the perfect representative of the student body when I got here. I was still trying to find who I was,” Jakatdar said.
USG Vice President-elect Michelle Lu, a sophomore studying business from San Jose, saw her sparkle from the start. After winning their April 2022 senate campaigns, the Bay Area natives bonded over their love for astrology. Jakatdar and Lu were born on the same day — September 27th, 2002.
Their whimsical Libra friendship strengthened into a strong working relationship during their time on the USG affordability basic needs committee.
“We had that work ethic together to get stuff done — we had the relationship where she could totally tell me when I was being ridiculous and I could do the same — which is important,” Jakatdar said.
The all-female ticket believed they had the knowledge and skills to enact change on campus. Neither of them expected to win.
“No, I didn’t think we were gonna win. It was a very stressful thing. If you saw me during the live stream, I was like, heaving, I was breathing extremely hard,” Jakatdar said. “A big reason that we didn’t think we were gonna win was because the other candidates in the race were amazing. Everyone put their all into this and it was a very all-consuming process.”
Of the 21,000 undergraduate students, 4,105 casted ballots this election cycle, yielding a 20% turnout rate. It’s a troubling trend the ticket hopes to reverse in their new roles.
“It’s a shame that less people voted in this election,” Jakatdar said. “We need to bump those numbers up. A big thing we need to emphasize is that a lot of students don’t know that the student government created the free Lyft program.”
Jakadtar and Lu highlighted accomplishments from past administrations, like the free USC shuttle to LAX, creation of the annual fall break and suit-up program — an initiative that gives low-income students professional attire to compete for internships.
“I swear we do meaningful things [and] I understand why students might feel that way,” Jakatdar said. “We will be getting things done and would love student input on the things that we want to do.”
Jakatdar joins a small group of Trojans elected as USC student body president. Her rise to the office dates back to her childhood passion for wanting to enact change in her community.
“I think our stories as people are just completely interwoven,” Jakatdar said. “What I learned is that no matter what path you take, there’s always something you can do to help.”
Jakatdar and Lu will assume office April 25, with stipend salaries of $10,200 each.