Years before she could even start applying for colleges, Michelle Tanujaya knew it was something she wanted to pursue in her life.

While she wasn’t exactly sure what she wanted to major in, “I knew higher education was really important to me, and I wanted to tmake the most out of the opportunities that my parents never had,” Tanujaya said during an interview.

The South Philadelphia native of Indonesian descent arrived at Temple University in 2022 with an open mind and an eagerness to immerse herself within the college life.

However, navigating life as a first-generation college student proved rather tough.

Everything from applying for financial aid, registering for classes, and seeking academic advisers were all new to her.

“It felt overwhelming at times,” Tanujaya reflected. “But with every challenge, it became a learning experience that helped me become more confident in navigating college life.”

Being a commuter student has been another unique aspect of her college experience and, at times, made it difficult to feel connected to the Temple community.

But thanks to the various organizations Temple has to offer, Tanujaya eventually started to find her place on campus and within Temple’s many communities.

Currently, she serves as president of the Foundations for International Medical Relief of Children, an organization she has been a part of since her freshman year.

“This club is near and dear to my heart because I was born and raised her in Philadelphia [and] I realized all these challenges throughout the city,” she said. “We are really big on public health and going out to local organizations like Prevention Point or soup kitchens like Grace Cafe, to be a part of the community.” 

Tanujaya also serves as a mentor through Temple’s Honors Peer Mentors program, and works as a teaching assistant and research scholar in the Minority Access to Research Careers program.

When it comes to her passion for community outreach and involvement, as well, as giving back, Tanujaya’s reasoning is simple.

“I wouldn’t be where I am without my mentors,” she said. “I’ve met so many great mentors here at Temple who were so willing and patient to answer my questions and help me navigate through my college experience.”

That mentorship has also helped her become more of a leader and build her confidence as she seeks ways to help instill some of that confidence onto her peers and mentees, as well. 

Tanujaya’s mentors have connected her to various research internships and fellowships, including one that allowed her to conduct research at Brown University through the Leadership Alliance during the summer of 2024.

This past summer, she was able to do the same at Stanford University, through the Amgen Scholars program. 

The senior biology major is set to graduate from Temple in May 2026. 

As she looks ahead to potential graduate school opportunities — and later a Ph.D. — Tanujaya can’t help but also think about the journey she has been on over these past few years.

“I’m just very grateful for the community that I’ve been a part of … finding the people who have supported me and inspired me, celebrated my growth, and pushed me to be better,” she concluded.