When Mahnoor Fatani chose Benedictine University, she sought a strong business education, supportive faculty, and a campus community where she could develop as a leader. Her experience has exceeded those expectations on every level.
Academically, Fatani is pursuing double majors in Accounting and Management & Organizational Behavior, with concentrations in Human Resource Management and Operations Management.
Beyond academics, Fatani has held numerous leadership roles, including Vice President of Student Senate, President of the Global Justice Club, Vice President of the Accounting Club, Orientation Leader, Peer Mentor, and Accounting Peer Tutor. These positions have refined her communication, advocacy, and problem-solving abilities while allowing her to contribute meaningfully to campus life.
A Defining Experience
Fatani identifies her service in Student Senate as the most transformative opportunity of her undergraduate career. Through this role, she learned to lead with empathy, build consensus among diverse stakeholders, and advocate effectively for student interests. One of her proudest achievements was creating new channels for student feedback, ensuring that voices from across campus were included in university decision-making.
This experience taught her that leadership is fundamentally about service. By listening carefully and prioritizing the common good, she developed skills that have proven valuable in both academic and professional settings.
Hands-On Preparation for the Future
Fatani has engaged in a range of practical experiences that have prepared her for life after Benedictine University. Through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, she prepared tax returns for community members, strengthening her technical accounting skills and reinforcing her commitment to ethical service.
As a recipient of the Arthur J. Schmitt Future Leaders Scholarship, she participated in leadership development workshops, service projects, and purposeful decision-making.
“Leadership is about service rather than titles and about creating opportunities for others to succeed.”
As Vice President of the Accounting Club, Fatani organized firm visits to International Motors LLC and Sassetti LLC, providing students with direct exposure to the accounting profession. She also coordinated events with business leaders to share career insights and industry trends.
Her most extensive project was serving as Committee Chair for the Goodwin College of Business and Liberal Arts Student Senate Committee, where she created and led Business Week each semester. This professional development series offered headshots, résumé workshops, LinkedIn optimization, and employer networking. She expanded the series to include a Future Entrepreneurs event, celebrating student-owned businesses and fostering an entrepreneurial mindset across campus.
These experiences have equipped Fatani with project management, event planning, and relationship-building skills. More importantly, they have demonstrated her capacity to bring people together and create lasting value for her community.
