Liberal Arts student's journey marked by leadership, service, global experiences

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Mayuri Purani was first introduced to psychology in high school, and since then has been determined to understand how and why people think the way they do to better serve others.

That commitment has served her well at Penn State, where Purani will graduate this spring with a degree in psychology with a business option and certificates in business fundamentals and diversity studies.

For Purani, the business option made for a practical choice because it’s allowed her to focus on psychological skills relevant to careers in human resources, management, marketing, or industrial and organizational careers.

Her certificates, meanwhile, complement those interests. Through the business fundamentals certificate offered by the Smeal College of Business, Purani explored finance, accounting and supply chain concepts, which challenged her to better understand how companies operate. Her diversity studies certificate grew from taking women’s and gender studies and labor and human resources courses during her first two years.

Purani’s ambitions are fueled in part by her dedication to social justice. Since middle school, she has been interested in how history unfolds and the conversations surrounding current and past events. She believes that, aside from taking action in achieving change, social justice also involves discussing topics with individuals participating in those critical conversations.

“Social justice is a very big passion of mine, and I wanted to integrate it with my degree. The diversity studies certificate was a very good way to do that,” she said. “As an American Indian woman, I’ve heard stories of injustices that people have faced — especially the women in my family — and love discussing these issues with my friends.”

Purani has put this philosophy into practice through her numerous advising, leadership and service roles on campus.

Since her first year, Purani has served as a family ambassador for the Parents Program, which inspired her to become a Liberal Arts peer adviser. In that role, she enjoyed speaking with students about her Penn State experience and offering realistic, authentic advice to help them navigate their college years.

Her psychology coursework proved especially helpful in ensuring she focused on students’ needs and helped them leave meetings with a sense of direction, she said.

“I wanted to share how a liberal arts degree is unique, tailoring it to your interests and goals,” she said. “I wanted all students to know the possibilities available to them.”

Through her involvement with the Presidential Leadership Academy, Purani met students with a wide range of perspectives and experiences. She also had the opportunity to take courses with Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi, learning lessons outside of her major.

“The Presidential Leadership Academy has taught me to be a good leader when there is no definitive right or wrong — thinking in the gray,” she said. “I’ve been able to take what I’ve learned from this program and apply it to my different positions on campus.”

Purani also participated in Boulevard THON, a special interest organization dedicated to raising money for Penn State THON. She began as a general member, attending numerous events and fundraisers. Later, she served on the executive board as donor and alumni relations chair, and danced on the floor of the Bryce Jordan Center at this February’s THON.

“Service is important because philanthropy connects people and allows you to make lasting impacts,” she said.

Through the College of Education’s D.C. Social Justice Fellowship, Purani spent last spring semester learning to develop a social justice curriculum before traveling to Washington, D.C., where she and fellow students taught those lessons in high schools. The experience deepened her interest in social justice.

“It taught me that I am not only in a position of power, but in a position to be an example,” she said.

Purani’s leadership also extends to the arts. Since her first year, she has worked for the Center for the Performing Arts as a ticketing sales supervisor, training new employees and improving communication between staff and patrons. The role helped her feel prepared to pursue a business internship and, ultimately, a sales-focused career.

Last summer, she interned at the Allentown office of Automatic Data Processing, the largest payroll company in the United States. As an outbound digital sales intern for employee handbooks, she ensured businesses had updated materials and assisted clients with revisions. She credited the Chapel Executive Internship Program for making the opportunity possible.

“I would not have been able to accept this opportunity due to the need to commute back and forth,” she said. “Funding from the Chapels made it possible.”

Purani also interned abroad in Rome through the IES Abroad program. She worked at Fondazione Amedeo Modigliani, translating materials, developing digital resources for exhibits and contributing interpretive insights.

The experience deepened her understanding of the differences between U.S. and Italian workplace culture.

“In Italy, there is a big emphasis on community and collective thinking, versus in the states, where work comes first and community second,” she said.

Funding from the Presidential Leadership Academy and the Liberal Arts Career Enrichment Network made the internship happen, Purani said.

“Without the funding, I wouldn’t have been able to eat or travel within Europe or from and to home,” she said. “I’m very grateful that they were able to do that for me.”

After graduation, Purani will move to New York City, her dream home, to begin her role as a client associate at AlphaSights, a knowledge-based company. She will work on the surveys team, connecting clients with experts in specialized fields.

As she prepares to leave Penn State, Purani encourages students to join organizations and pursue opportunities that make them happy.

“I’m involved in so many things because it’s enriched my overall college experience, helped me learn more about myself, expand my perspectives and greatly built my social network,” she said.