By Kate Bernas, Advisor Training Academy

Since its start in 2017, the number of students supported by the VIP program has increased with every year, as has its services and programming efforts. As such, it was time to develop the upper-division aspect of the program to address the career and professional development needs of VIP upperclassmen from junior year to the point of graduation. This role has been filled by Junior/Senior VIP Coordinator, Praveen Loganathan.

Praveen comes to WSU with deep interests in both social justice and student success, which developed throughout his educational and global experiences. After completing high school in Canton, Michigan, Praveen earned a bachelors of business administration in 2017 from the University of Michigan. While at Michigan, Praveen developed and coordinated entrepreneurship programs and the first-year experience initiative, giving him his first insight into the impact of “purpose driven work”. From there, he served in the US Peace Corps in Botswana. After returning from Botswana, Praveen moved to California to begin a Masters in Educational Policy and Leadership from Stanford University, which he completed in 2020. At Stanford, Praveen focused his studies, and student success work, on the practice of identifying, and reconstructing unjust educational structures through the lens of abolitionist pedagogy. 

Praveen is excited to work with WSU VIP upperclassmen and has been busy developing new initiatives to connect students with their dream vision for their future, whether it be through a career, a graduate degree, or both.  There is much to be done, and Praveen has many exciting ideas. He believes strongly in the power of collaboration, especially with other WSU staff and departments, and hopes to find a way to create many partnerships with academic advisors. Send him a “hello” through email or Teams! He can be reached through fh8828@wayne.edu.