Kumar Gaurav, MBA ’25, to deliver graduate Commencement remarks
Kumar Gaurav made a difficult decision when he chose to attend Clark, in an unfamiliar city thousands of miles away from family and friends in India. But he was intent on earning an MBA in a place that asked its students not only to master the principles of business but also to embrace their responsibilities to the global community of humans.
His decision, he insists, was the right one.
“I did not come to Clark just to acquire knowledge, I came to transform myself,” Gaurav says. “Clark gave me that platform.”
As the student speaker at the May 19 Commencement ceremony for those earning graduate degrees, Guarav is prepared to tell his fellow Clarkies about that transformation and the importance of Clark University as the catalyst.
Gaurav, a first-generation college student, earned his undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering in India. His father, he notes, started his own small business “with determination and willpower” but without the formal education that would help him more efficiently address the challenges that arose on the job. Gaurav’s decision to study abroad was something no one in his family or neighborhood had ever done, but he saw the value in earning his MBA with a marketing concentration from a smaller school “that had a support system and where I could grow.”
“A degree is not just a milestone; it can be a platform to elevate others and challenge what is possible.”
Kumar Gaurav, MBA ’25
He immersed himself in a new culture, an unfamiliar curriculum, and an education system different from the one he’d experienced in India — and he thrived.
“Clark gave me clarity and purpose, and a sense of belonging to get through any challenges,” he says. “It also gave me a global community where I could understand people from different backgrounds and develop empathy. My professors and mentors helped me not only to develop professional skills, but to become the person I am today.”
Gaurav took full advantage of his opportunities at Clark. He interned at CYBEX, a leader in child-safety products, where he helped to assess the efficacy of the company’s online presence. On campus, he worked with the Mosakowski Institute for Public Enterprise to promote the MI PEACE app, a mental health platform designed for use in schools. He’s also served as a member of the University Diversity Action Council, which works to create an inclusive campus environment.
He’s volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, and joined ARISE (Advocacy for Refugee and Immigrant Services for Empowerment), working with the organization’s Refugee Advocate Training program to better understand the many social and economic challenges faced by area refugees. Gaurav and his team presented their findings to state Senator Robyn Kennedy, MPA ’21.
Gaurav also attended a series of workshops and conferences that brought him into contact with industry heavy-hitters from companies such as Kickstarter, Peleton, the NFL, 7-Eleven, and Amazon Web Services.
When he stands before his fellow graduates on May 19, Gaurav will encourage them to ask the questions: Why not me? Why not now?
“I want to encourage my fellow graduates to have a purpose in mind,” he says, “to have courage, compassion, and take bold action. It’s not necessarily about living a successful life or a longer life, but a larger life.
“I hope that Clark students will use their degree to spread light and that they lead with their heart. A degree is not just a milestone; it can be a platform to elevate others and challenge what is possible.”
Gaurav is in the process of interviewing with marketing firms and preparing for his professional future. His goal is “to build purpose-driven ventures that empower underserved communities.”
“I don’t want to just make a living,” he says. “I want to make an impact.”
