Leading with Purpose: Pravalika Manchi’s Commitment to Service and Entrepreneurship

The Humans of Mays Business School series highlights excerpts from conversations with exceptional individuals at Mays who make a lasting impact through their leadership, drive, and dedication. Each story brings to life the diverse journeys, challenges, and triumphs that shape the Mays community. By sharing these unique experiences, we aim to inspire personal and professional growth within our halls and share the origin stories of today’s and tomorrow’s business leaders.

Whether they’re in the classroom, around campus, on the field, or through extracurriculars, Mays students demonstrate a commitment to excellence and service. In this edition, we are excited to feature Pravalika Manchi, who graduated this month with her Bachelor of Business Administration in Business Honors and Accounting and Master of Science in Finance. She was an active member of the Business Student Council, Maroon Coats, Aggies on Wall Street, and the Hindu Students Association. Additionally, she is a former Business Honors Peer Leader, a former student employee in the MBA Programs Office, and a past member of both Business Fellows and the Horizons Finance Guild. She has also been honored with the Dean’s Outstanding Student Achievement Award. Pravalika is a true embodiment of the Aggie Spirit and the leadership skills we cultivate at Mays.

Rooted in Aggieland

“What I’ve loved about my experience at A&M is that I was born and raised here. I’ve seen A&M from the time I was a child to now, as an adult. What’s stayed true throughout my time here is the willingness of the community to help and support each other. My parents moved here in 1994 to work at Texas A&M. My dad just retired after 30 years in the Biochemistry and Biophysics Department, and my mom has spent the same amount of time working in the College of Veterinary Medicine. My older sister also graduated with her bachelor’s in 2014 and her medical degree from the Texas A&M College of Medicine in 2019, so A&M means so much to my family and me, it’s been an instrumental part of our lives.”

“Coming into college, flexibility was key, and Mays is a place that does it so well in my opinion. For me to have the Professional Program in Accounting (PPA), my undergraduate degree, while also pursuing a MS Finance degree is something that I never would have expected. In the same way, I’ve gotten a chance to be a part of Aggies on Wall Street, which is more focused on the investment banking side, while PPA is accounting focused. When you have all these different programs and perspectives, you really are able to make a decision wherever you want to go. I love the interconnectedness that business has, but also the opportunities that Mays provides.”

Continuing a Tradition of Leadership and Service

“First, Business Student Council has been one of my longest commitments. I have been on the Career Fair Committee all four years, specifically in corporate relations. Our main role is primarily behind the scenes reaching different recruiters.”

“Then, the Hindu Student Association is also one of my longest commitments. I actually like to say I joined that organization 10 years ago because my sister was an officer when she was at A&M and would always bring me along to all the events that they hosted. This year, I was vice president and treasurer, so getting to hold the same role that she did 10 years ago is very full circle. We put on two main events: one in the fall called Dandiya Night and one in the spring called Holi, the welcoming of spring. When you create that for a community, it’s really fulfilling and special. I know it’s been impactful for my sister and myself, and I hope that the people who’ve come to our organization have also felt the same way.”

“I am also an ambassador for Maroon Coats, and we essentially get to bridge the gap between donors and prospective students. The biggest thing I have learned from Maroon Coats is that there’s a hundred ways to say thank you, if not even more. It’s not limited to a thank you note or physical words. It’s more about showing up to listen to someone and empathize with them. One memorable experience I’ve shared was with a donor who started a scholarship, in memory of her daughter, who unfortunately passed away. What is crazy is that her daughter and I were the same major in college, attended the same high school, and were involved in very similar organizations. I remember going to a scholarship banquet and holding her hand, and there were tears rolling down from her eyes and definitely mine as well. To share that moment with her, it was a way for me to say thank you for starting this scholarship and supporting all of the amazing students.” 

Moving with Purpose

“In Business Honors, we create something called the Signature Work Project. It’s where students get to talk about a passion or something that has been impactful in their college career, unrelated to academics. Something that makes you human. For me, it’s dance and culture. I started a company in October of 2023 called Manchi Moves, where I get to share my passion for culture and what it means to pursue something you love. Manchi is my last name, and it means good, so good moves, good vibes, good music is the inspiration behind the business. Manchi Moves has been a great opportunity for me to not only host classes, but understand why it’s so important to me. My favorite part of starting Manchi Moves this past year and a half is that it was inspired by business owners and I wouldn’t have started the business without Business Honors. It’s taught me the importance of not being risk averse and taking initiative if you enjoy something.”

“I actually got to host a Business Honors dance class as one of our professional development events, which was such a highlight. Having my peers, my classmates, and my best friends colliding with my dance world, was just sweet because there were people who might not have been dancers, but who just wanted to come and support me, which meant the world to me. Last summer, on internship, I hosted a class in Houston and this summer, I will be hosting a class in Hyderabad, India.”

Shaped by Mentorship

“Professor Emily Shafron is one of the people who has had the biggest impact on me during my time at Mays. She’s been an incredible mentor, someone that cares deeply about accounting and finance, but does so in such a joyful, loving, and exciting way. That spirit is the same spirit I would love to emulate. One of my biggest long term goals is to become a professor and return to Mays specifically. I’ve learned from Professor Shafron what makes a great professor, but more than that, she’s an amazing mom, she’s a great mentor, she’s a scholar, and she’s such a great educator. She’s taught me a lot about what it means to her to achieve success and what success looks like in her view. For her, it’s not just about accolades or awards, but about how she’s giving back to her family, which is something that I care about too.”

“One of my really close friends, who is also a member of Maroon Coats and Business Honors, is named Ryan Williamson, and he always says that a simple life filled with extraordinary service is a life well lived. I constantly think about this quote because A&M has served my family, my life, my friends, my peers, this whole university so well and in that same way, I would love to hopefully live a life of service in the future. That can start with being a professor, and I’d love to have the opportunity to serve and share as much as I can with students to propel them for the future.”

Looking Ahead

“As I step into my full-time role as an investment banking analyst at Bank of America I feel like Mays has over prepared me in the best way possible. Business is a very dynamic world, and you’re constantly trying to adapt to changing environments, but Mays does this so well and gives you all the tools that you need. It’s people first, and Mays gives you the right people who you need moving forward. There will be people rooting for you wherever you go, so believe in that. Know that you’ve learned so much during your time here, and go out there, ready to give back in any way that you can.”