Name: Arushi Krishnan

Major: Psychology

Minor: Women’s Studies

Previous THON Experience:

THON 2022: Dancer Relations Committee Member
THON 2023: Communications Captain: Education Coordinator
THON 2024: Communications Captain: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Lead

What made you want to apply for a director position for THON 2025?

THON provided me with some of the best memories at Penn State, and I am constantly in awe of how an organization can bring so many people together for such a great cause. I wanted to be a director because I wanted to have a small part in helping the THON community accomplish what it does, and I wanted to help inspire more people to get involved with this amazing organization!

What are your responsibilities as a THON director?

As the communications director, I serve as the primary liaison to THON volunteers. I work alongside my amazing captains to support organizations and independent dancer couples in their THON efforts, outreach to students who want to get involved with THON, further our DEI efforts to make THON an inclusive and welcoming organization for all, and educate THON volunteers throughout the year.

What do you want to implement in your position this year that differs from years past?

This year, we are hoping to continue to grow the relationship between organizations, IDCs, and committee volunteers by opening up opportunities and further engaging them with events within the THON community. They are such a huge part of this organization, and we couldn’t do what we do without them! For the past few years, we’ve been working on our diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts as an organization, and this year we hope to continue to expand initiatives across all 16 committees and continue to make the THON community a space for everyone at Penn State!

What makes your committee so cool, fun, and/or important?

Communications interacts with so many volunteers across the THON community. I think it is super special to work with so many different groups of people who are all working together to support THON and its mission throughout the year!

What are the overall goals you hope to reach with your committee for THON 2025?

I hope that this year we can continue to expand the reach of the THON community and get more volunteers involved, whether this is through organizations, independent dancer couples, or becoming committee volunteers, and truly do what we can to make the THON community a space for everyone. I also hope we can provide organizations and IDCs with new opportunities to get involved with THON throughout the year and take their feedback to continue to better the THON community.

Why do you THON?

Being a part of this organization for the past four years has given me so many different reasons for why I THON and every time I hear someone else’s why, it becomes part of my own. Getting to interact with any member of the THON community and seeing the work they do to support the children and families impacted by childhood cancers is part of why I THON and why this organization is so inspiring.

What’s your favorite THON memory?

Anytime I get to interact with different members of the THON community means a lot to me, but as someone who had no idea what THON was before I came to Penn State, I would have to say going into the Bryce Jordan Center for the first time THON weekend and truly being able to see the magic that this organization is. There was nothing like the feeling of seeing the THON community come together in this way, and it is a favorite moment of mine that I will always remember!

Per Onward State tradition, if you could be any dinosaur, which one would you be and why?

I would be a Europasaurus. They are just so pretty and if I’m going to be a dinosaur I might as well be a cute one.