Liberal Arts student blends global research and local service to help others

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Growing up in State College, Natalie Wright never had to wonder where she would go to college. With both of her parents working at Penn State, attending the University “was always the plan,” she said.

What she didn’t realize was just how many doors it would open.

“I didn’t know until I got here how many opportunities I was going to have,” Wright said.

Now a third-year Penn State student double-majoring in global and international studies (GLIS) and political science while pursuing a master of public policy degree through the integrated undergraduate-graduate (IUG) degree program, Wright has carved out a path in the College of the Liberal Arts defined by compassion, curiosity and action. Whether she’s conducting public health research in Kenya, interning with local government in State College or mentoring other students through campus programs, her time at Penn State has been built around the central goal of using her education to make a positive impact.

Wright chose GLIS because, as she put it, “it allows me to create my own path.”

“I’ve always had a strong drive to create a positive impact, and that’s something I want to do for the rest of my life,” she said. “Being a GLIS major lets me study topics that interest me and create projects here at Penn State that I’m truly passionate about.”

She later decided to double major in political science, a choice that has given her both global perspective and practical knowledge.

“My GLIS degree helps me develop soft skills and dive into human rights and world issues,” she said. “Political science, on the other hand, equips me with a deeper understanding of policy, economics and how systems function.”

Together, the two majors allow Wright to see both the human and structural sides of change.

“It gives me the full picture of human rights issues and how either governments or NGOs can create sustainable, appropriate solutions to help solve these problems, which is what I want to do in the future,” she said.

When asked about her passion for helping women on a global scale, Wright paused before answering thoughtfully.

“I don’t know if ‘passion’ is the right word,” she said. “I’ve been lucky enough to have an education that exposes me to these issues. So, if I’m informed of an injustice or a problem that needs my attention and skills, how can I just ignore it? I never have been able to, and I don’t think I ever will be.”

That mindset has guided her toward work that is both global in reach and deeply personal in meaning. She’s particularly drawn to issues that affect women and children.

“I’ve always had a soft spot for kids,” she said. “All of my first jobs were working with children as a camp counselor, babysitter or nanny. I love working with them, and I believe they deserve safe and healthy environments. I’d love to do something that helps create that in the future.”

Wright has already begun making that impact through her work with Penn State’s Humanitarian Engineering and Social Entrepreneurship (HESE) program in the College of the Liberal Arts, which partners with communities in Kisumu, Kenya.

“Our team focuses on female genital schistosomiasis (FGS), a neglected tropical disease that affects millions of women across Sub-Saharan Africa,” Wright said. “We want to understand the health care landscape in Kenya so the diagnostic tools being developed at Penn State can be implemented in ways that are sustainable and effective.”

During her Maymester education abroad experience in Kenya, Wright and her teammates met with community health workers, NGOs and medical professionals to better understand the challenges women face in receiving care. The experience reinforced for her that lasting change relies on community partnerships built on trust, respect and local knowledge.

“It’s not about going in with all the answers,” she said. “It’s about listening, learning and supporting solutions that make sense for the people who live there.”

Living and working in a non-tourist area also gave her a deeper understanding of identity and representation.

“It was eye-opening to realize how being there made me a representative of my country,” she said. “It helped me see how connected the world really is.”

After returning from Kenya, Wright continued her commitment to community-focused work — this time much closer to home through a State College Borough government internship with the Bob Turner Scholars Internship Program under the International City/County Management Association (ICMA).

“I got to work across multiple departments: sustainability, diversity and inclusion, the police department, even the Alpha Fire Company,” she said. “I helped design a community garden project, reviewed legal documents for the anti-discrimination ordinance, and organized community feedback for the Borough Council.”

Her internship also brought unexpected opportunities for leadership.

“I spoke at an ICMA conference and on ICMA TV in front of over 1,000 people,” she said. “It was definitely nerve-racking, but it gave me so much confidence. I also presented to the local town council about my work, which was such a rewarding experience.”

Through the internship, Wright saw firsthand how much local government can shape people’s lives.

“It helped me understand how connected people are to their local governments and how effective small, community-driven solutions can be,” she said. “It confirmed that government, even at the local level, can be a powerful tool for helping others.”

Wright also volunteers with the Centre County Youth Services Bureau and the Food Recovery Network at Penn State.

Throughout her journey, Wright has had one consistent source of support — the Liberal Arts Career Enrichment Network.

“They’ve been huge,” she said. “Especially career coach Lauren Granese, she’s been an utter pillar of support. She’s so passionate and has worked so hard to help me figure out what I need, on top of everything else she does.”

The office, she said, helped her apply for enrichment funding, navigate education abroad opportunities and build her confidence as a young professional.

“They’ve made me more confident in interviews and applications and helped me understand what I can do with my career,” she said.

Wright also credits her residence life coordinator, Emmy Rietz, as another mentor who’s helped guide her through both personal and academic challenges.

“I’ve had incredible mentors at Penn State,” she said. “They’ve all helped me believe that the work I’m doing matters.”

Wright looks forward to continuing her master of public policy studies alongside her undergraduate degrees and being a member of the Next Gen Leadership Academy in the School of Public Policy.

“After graduating, I want to work in government or for an NGO whose mission I’m passionate about,” she said. “If I’m sure of one thing, it’s that I want to help people, in some way, shape or form, for the rest of my life.”