Turning classroom learning into global impact

Pannaga Kosaraju ’28 aims to use her education in international affairs and economics to understand how geopolitical events affect people and the economy—and to make an impact around the world. | Photos by JaQuan Alston

By Stella Katsipoutis-Varkanis

There’s a proverb Pannaga Kosaraju ’28 has held close to her heart since childhood: “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” So when she first heard Lafayette’s “Why not?” motto during a campus visit in her senior year of high school, she knew she had found the college where she could unlock her full potential. “I’ve always had this mindset: Never give up, never take no for an answer, and keep trying,” Kosaraju says. 

Kosaraju’s determination was instilled in her from childhood. “My mom was adamant about two things: having financial independence as a woman and serving the community,” she says. “My family has been my rock and support system, encouraging me to dream bigger.”

In high school, Kosaraju volunteered through the Environmental Commission of Edison, N.J. and her school’s greenhouse club to grow fresh produce for local families in need and support local environmental efforts. “In everything I do, I try to help others and give back to my family, friends, and community.” Now an international affairs and economics major, Kosaraju is keenly focused on making the most of her Lafayette education while applying her learning beyond the classroom to address global challenges. 

“My biggest interest is educating myself on what’s happening in our world, and merging that with my study of economics to understand how different geopolitical events impact people and the global economy,” Kosaraju says. “I want to use that knowledge to help make a difference.” 

At Lafayette, she’s found an outlet for those ambitions through the Dyer Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship’s DYER Fellowship, a 10-week program designed to support students in their entrepreneurial endeavors through mentorship, hands-on projects, and networking opportunities.

As a DYER Fellow, Kosaraju co-founded Amazolar, a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding global access to higher education by offering educational workshops and awarding micro-scholarships to middle and high school students in Ecuador. She now works part time for Amazolar as a Bergh Summer Scholar, working directly with Ecuadorian organizations and local students to build partnerships and broaden the organization’s impact.

As a DYER Fellow, Kosaraju co-founded Amazolar, a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding global access to higher education by offering educational workshops and awarding micro-scholarships to middle and high school students in Ecuador.

“An entrepreneur is a risk-taker, someone who problem-solves, and the Dyer Center helped me discover those qualities in myself,” Kosaraju says. “It gave me so many opportunities to network with business leaders, better understand my interests, and create something that helped me contribute to this world. It propelled me into being civic-minded, and gave me the tools to give back not only to my community but also globally.”

Kosaraju’s experiences inspired a powerful speech she delivered on the steps of the Pennsylvania State Capitol in April during AICUP Day on the Hill, an annual event hosted by the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania (AICUP), where students from across the state gather to meet with legislators and advocate for higher education funding. Lafayette’s participation in the event is coordinated by the Robert B. and Helen S. Meyner Center for the Study of State and Local Government. Selected as Lafayette’s winning speech, Kosaraju’s remarks centered on the transformative power of education. 

“I wanted to highlight how a college education is a pathway to independence, and how powerful access to equitable education can be,” Kosaraju says. “Through my education and my work with Amazolar, I’ve realized financial assistance doesn’t just open doors, but it also allows students to dream and reach their fullest potential.” 

Kosaraju’s impact on campus extends well beyond the DYER Fellowship. This summer, she’s conducting research as a Digital Humanities Summer Scholar, examining how artificial intelligence is a catalyst for financial inclusion by analyzing alternative credit assessment. Kosaraju also tutors members of the refugee community in Allentown, Pa., through Refugee Action, serves as a resident adviser and a member of the Women in Economics Business Club, works part time with Recreation Services, and is completing an externship at PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers) this summer.

Kosaraju credits much of her growth to the mentorship and encouragement she received from faculty in the International Affairs program, including Profs. Caleb Gallemore and Douglas de Toledo Piza, and in the Economics Department, including Profs. S. Abu Turab Risvi and Sayorn Chin, as well as Dyer Center advisers Matt Bednarsky and Toby Rossmann. Their encouragement, she says, gave her the confidence to pursue her goals and bridge her academic interests with her passion for community service.

“I was able to do that because of the resources Lafayette has,” says Kosaraju, who hopes to one day work for the World Bank and help finance global development initiatives and improve financial inclusion. “Whether it’s the Dyer Center, professors, or campus organizations, every student should take advantage of the opportunities available at Lafayette. It’s important that, together, we dream big, work hard, and strengthen our community along the way.”