History and African studies graduate charts path to legal career

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Max Lustig’s Penn State story reflects that of a student who followed his interests, challenged himself and built a foundation for a future in the law by embracing every opportunity available to him.

Lustig graduated earlier this month with degrees in history and African studies and a certificate in Holocaust and genocide studies in the College of the Liberal Arts. He will soon step into an exciting next chapter that includes a legal internship with Major League Baseball (MLB) and the highest scholarship Brooklyn Law School offers.

For Lustig, the path to law school didn’t begin with a rigid plan. Instead, it grew out of curiosity and self-awareness.

“All throughout high school, I was trying to figure out what I liked,” he said. “I loved history, I loved to read and write, and I figured I should do what I enjoy while still aligning with my goals.”

That mindset, combined with a desire “to help people and do good for the world,” ultimately led him to pursue a pre-law track grounded in the liberal arts, he said.

Choosing Penn State felt like a natural step to him. Growing up in Philadelphia, Lustig said he saw the University as both a practical and powerful option.

“It made sense being in-state, but it is also one of the best public schools in the country,” he said. “However, I didn’t know how strong the reputation was until I got here. When you apply to places, people recognize Penn State immediately.”

That recognition, paired with a large and active campus environment, gave Lustig both credibility and countless ways to get involved, he said.

That involvement became a defining part of his Penn State experience. Compared to high school, where he participated in only a few activities, Lustig said he found himself immersed in nearly every aspect of campus life, including serving as treasurer of his fraternity, Alpha Epsilon Pi, where he managed more than $200,000 and helped pull the organization out of significant debt.

“We were close to getting shut down, but we recouped about $10,000 and got things back on track,” said Lustig, who also contributed to the fraternity’s fundraising efforts, which brought in thousands of dollars through corporate partnerships.

Academically, Lustig built strong relationships with faculty, particularly through his work as a teaching assistant for African history courses over five semesters. He credited professors like Associate Teaching Professor of African Studies Clemente Abrokwaa for enhancing his confidence and skills.

“He has shown so much support over the past three years,” Lustig said. “He really takes care of us and pushes us to be better.”

These experiences not only strengthened Lustig’s academic foundation but also reinforced his interest in law by sharpening his ability to analyze complex material and communicate effectively.

Lustig said he firmly believes his liberal arts education has prepared him well for law school. Rather than focusing narrowly on law-related coursework, he embraced a broader academic perspective.

“The College of the Liberal Arts is underrated,” he said. “It teaches you communication, empathy, how to explain things to people and how to analyze text. It makes you more open-minded and well-rounded. Those are all essential skills for a lawyer.”

His experiences outside the classroom further strengthened his readiness for a legal career, he said, including an internship with Luxury Box, a luxury sneaker resale company in Atlanta, where Lustig reviewed contracts and gained insight into both business operations and legal processes.

“It was interesting to see how merchandising and the legal side connect,” he said.

That, along with internships in Philadelphia, helped him build practical skills. He said he also found that being a Penn State student opened doors.

“The network is real," he said. "Students help other students, and alumni want to support you.”

Looking ahead, Lustig said he is intentionally keeping his options open. After graduation, he’ll begin his legal internship with MLB, focusing on business and technology.

While many aspiring lawyers feel pressure to find their specialization early, Lustig said his liberal arts education gave him the flexibility to explore a variety of legal paths with confidence.

“I don’t want to pigeonhole myself,” he said. “My goal in the first year or two of law school is to figure out what I actually want to do. … Law schools don’t want applicants who only care about going to law school. They want a real person.”

Through his experiences in and outside the classroom, Lustig said he developed the critical thinking, communication and adaptability skills that will serve him no matter where his legal career leads.