BEHREND BLOG

Penn State Behrend’s Class of 2025 is ready to make its mark on the world. We’re proud of our students and all that they have learned and accomplished here at Behrend. Over the next several weeks, we will introduce you to a few of our remarkable seniors who have conducted valuable research, pioneered innovation, overcome challenges, and engaged in college life in a big way.

Today, we’d like you to meet Lauren Cass.

Major: Media and Communication

Minor: History

Hometown: Erie

Scholarship: Erie Insurance Open Doors Scholarship

Awards: Pride of the Lion Award

Why she chose Behrend: I attended a lot of youth programs at Behrend, from College for Kids to Women in Business Day to Math Options. It feels like home. I knew there were a lot of caring and involved faculty and staff members at Behrend.

Why she chose her major: I’m a talker, so it suits my personality. It also suits my personal goal to work in an active and fun environment. It’s a versatile degree that can apply to nearly any industry.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: Finishing my degree. I had a rough start adjusting to college, and I started skipping classes and fell way behind. I ended up withdrawing on the last day of my first semester to save my GPA. When I re-enrolled for the next semester, I had an entire support network from Behrend helping me get and stay on track, including an academic counselor who I checked in with weekly. She helped me find a major that suited me, and I learned how to “do” college. I have been on the Dean’s List for the last three semesters.

Campus involvement: Lion Ambassador tour guide, four years.

Virtual life: I’ve been an employee and student researcher at the Virtual/Augmented Reality Lab for four years. I’m currently working on creating 360-degree point-of-view videos for people with disabilities.

Setting records: On April 5, the VAR Lab director, Dr. Chris Shelton, and I attempted to break the Guinness World Record for the most time in VR while watching VR content. We needed to beat 50 hours. Unfortunately, we had technical problems with Dr. Shelton’s equipment, and he wasn’t able to continue, but I made it to 55 hours, finishing on April 7 at 7:00 a.m. 

What makes her unique: I am co-owner of an Erie tourism business. In my junior year, my mother and I started a walking tour company in Erie, called Tour Erie. We offer historical tours in downtown Erie, which is why I added a minor in history. We have plans to add more tours when I graduate.

What you’d be surprised to know about her: I have an extensive plant collection, somewhere around fifty plants, and I can name them all. I also have two geckos, hissing cockroaches, and a tarantula.

What she’s passionate about: The National Parks. I’ve been to nearly a dozen of them with my family and can’t wait to visit more of them. This spring break, I visited Mammoth Cave in Kentucky.

She loves Erie: While I love to travel, I really love living in Erie, which is why I love sharing how awesome it is with visitors and residents on our tours.

Advice for first-year students: Don’t skip class! Set yourself up for success in your first year by going to class, paying attention, and doing the assigned readings before class. Also, join some clubs. I did not, and I regret it as it’s where most people seem to make friends.

Parting words: I’m so thankful to so many people at Behrend who helped me get to the finish line, including Emily Artello in Academic Advising, Jim Dowds in the Counseling Center, Mary Kay Williams in Admissions, Dr. Chris Shelton in the VAR Lab, and my advisor, Dr. Carrie Payne.

After her graduation in December, Lauren plans to focus on growing and diversifying her seasonal tour company and finding part-time work in brand management or another other aspect of business communication.

Penn State Behrend’s Class of 2025 is ready to make its mark on the world. We’re proud of our students and all that they have learned and accomplished here at Behrend. Over the next several weeks, we will introduce you to a few of our remarkable seniors who have conducted valuable research, pioneered innovation, overcome challenges, and engaged in college life in a big way.

Today, we’d like you to meet Aarati Poudel.

Major: Psychology

Hometown: Erie

Scholarships: Petersen Family Trustee Scholarship, Summer Success Scholarship, Kochel Leadership Scholarship

Why she chose Behrend: I chose Behrend for its warm community and supportive atmosphere. The small class sizes allow for genuine interactions with professors, and being close to home helps me stay connected with my family. The campus is beautiful year-round, with everything conveniently within walking distance. It’s a place where I can excel both academically and personally.

Why she chose her major: I chose psychology because I want to focus on the importance of emotional well-being. In my community, this topic isn’t taken seriously, and many people don’t feel comfortable discussing their struggles. I hope to help change that by encouraging open conversations and providing support. My goal is to make a positive impact and help others feel more at ease seeking help when needed.

Student involvement: I founded Behrend Brown Girls (BBG) and currently serve as its president. I am also an Ambassador for the School of Humanities and Social Sciences and previously served as the promotion coordinator for the South Asian Student Organization (SASO). Additionally, I interned with the Mentor Project at CORE, a community outreach program, where I supported youth development and educational initiatives.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: Presenting my research at the Sigma Xi conference was a huge milestone for me, as it allowed me to contribute to discussions and deepen my understanding of psychological research. Through my internship, I’ve also had the chance to work closely with middle- and elementary-school students, helping them navigate challenges and create a space where they feel supported. On top of that, founding Behrend Brown Girls and leading the club to receive the Student Most Engaged Club award has been incredibly rewarding. Seeing the direct impact of my work, both in research and in the lives of others, has been truly fulfilling.

Challenges overcome: As a first-generation college student, I’ve had to navigate many challenges, from adjusting to academic expectations to figuring out how to access the resources I needed. My parents didn’t attend college, so I didn’t have that support system at home. However, this experience has made me more resourceful and determined. I’ve learned to advocate for myself, seek out mentors, and create a network of support. These challenges have not only shaped my academic journey but also motivated me to help others, especially immigrant and first- generation students, find their own path to success.

What you’d be surprised to know about her: I’m fluent in three languages and am currently learning my fourth.

Advice for first-year students: My advice for first-year students is to seek help when needed and get involved on campus early. Building a support system, whether through clubs or connecting with professors and peers, is key to thriving in college. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and take advantage of every opportunity to grow and learn.

After her graduation in May, Aarati plans to pursue a master’s degree in counseling with a goal of becoming a school counselor.