'I started making connections between my classes that I never expected'

Mana Setayesh: Science & Technology Studies

5/15/2025

Mana Setayesh

Science & Technology Studies
Boulder, Colo.

What is your main extracurricular activity and why is it important to you?

My main extracurricular activity has been my part-time job at the tech startup ShareWell. I first joined the team as a marketing and communications intern the summer after my freshman year and was invited to stay on during the school year. Since then, I’ve continued working with the company and have taken on a variety of roles across the marketing, community and product teams and like many startup employees, I’ve worn a lot of different hats.

What makes this experience even more meaningful is how it connects back to Cornell. I actually found the job through the Cornell Meinig Scholars newsletter, thanks to a posting from a Meinig alum who’s involved with the company. That shared Cornell connection is what opened the door for me, and I’ve felt a strong sense of purpose working at a company whose mission (creating a peer support platform to help people feel less alone) is something I deeply believe in. Staying involved during the school year was important to me because the work felt so impactful, and I’m excited to be joining the team full time after graduation.

It’s also been incredibly valuable academically. As an entrepreneurship minor, I’ve had the unique opportunity to treat my role at ShareWell as a real-life case study, applying concepts from class directly to my work and vice versa. This experience has shaped not just my academic interests, but also my post-grad goals, and it’s been a meaningful part of my Cornell journey.

What are the most valuable skills you gained from your Arts & Sciences education?

One of the most valuable things I gained from my Arts & Sciences education is the ability to think through an intersectional lens. I honestly can’t overstate how important that’s been for me. The distribution requirements pushed me to take classes in areas I never would’ve explored otherwise, and that ended up being such a gift. It helped me realize how connected everything really is.

The more I learned, the more I saw how STEM, the arts and communication all overlap and build on each other. They’re not separate worlds, they actually constantly interact, and understanding that has changed the way I think. Arts & Sciences gave me the chance to dive deep into my major, but also to step back and see the broader picture. Over time, I started making connections between my classes that I never expected. That ability to bring different perspectives together, to see patterns and links across fields, has become one of the most valuable tools I have and it’s something I carry with me every day.

people at hockey game with Touchdown the Cornell bear

What have you accomplished as a Cornell student that you are most proud of?

The accomplishment I’m most proud of as a Cornell student is hands down my senior thesis. It’s been one of the most intellectually challenging and rewarding experiences of my academic career, and truly feels like the culmination of everything I’ve learned during my time here. My thesis, "Generative AI and Copyright Reform: A Public Policy Approach to LLMs in the U.S.," dives into the current gaps in U.S. copyright law as they relate to the rapid development of generative AI. I propose a framework for an AI-specific copyright amendment that balances two core American values: incentivizing creativity and encouraging innovation.

Working on this 80-page paper has pushed me further than I ever imagined — both in terms of research and in how I think. It’s forced me to grapple with complex legal and technological issues and to synthesize them into something coherent, compelling and original. Throughout the process, I’ve not only deepened my understanding of tech policy and law, but I’ve also learned so much about myself: my strengths as a thinker, my ability to work through ambiguity and my voice as a writer. My professors have pointed out how much I’ve grown in terms of critical thinking and analytical skills, which has been incredibly validating.

This thesis represents more than just a final paper; it reflects the interdisciplinary nature of my education, and it’s a piece of work I’m genuinely proud of. It’s taught me how to take ownership of an idea from start to finish and how to contribute something meaningful to an evolving conversation that I care deeply about.

Beyond the thesis, one of the most transformative experiences I had was studying abroad at University College London during my junior fall semester. UCL offered courses directly in my major (science and technology studies) which was a big reason I chose it. Studying the same subject matter in a completely different academic and cultural environment opened up new ways of thinking. It broadened my perspective, challenged my assumptions, and helped me grow both intellectually and personally. Being immersed in another country’s approach to science, policy and education was eye-opening and made me even more aware of how global and interconnected these conversations really are.

Together, these experiences, writing my thesis and studying abroad, represent the heart of what my Cornell education has meant to me: deep curiosity, intellectual rigor and the opportunity to grow in ways I never expected.

How have your beliefs or perspectives changed since you first arrived at Cornell?

My beliefs and perspectives have changed in so many ways since I first arrived at Cornell. I’m originally from Boulder, Colorado, a place I really love, but a place where most people tend to look alike, think similarly and share a very particular “West Coast” mindset. Before coming to Cornell, I didn’t even realize how much that homogeneity had shaped the way I saw the world.

Being at Cornell has been an eye-opening experience. For the first time, I was immersed in an environment where people came from all over, not just across the U.S., but from all corners of the globe. I was exposed to a much broader range of values, beliefs and life experiences, and that exposure has pushed me to rethink the assumptions I grew up with. Even something as simple as adjusting to East Coast culture, the faster pace, the intensity, the drive, was new to me. And surprisingly, I found that I actually thrive in that kind of environment. I’ve grown to appreciate and even love the energy here.

More than anything, Cornell has taught me how to listen better. I’ve had conversations with people whose perspectives differ dramatically from my own and I’ve learned to stay curious, to ask questions and to be open to new ways of thinking. That mindset has made me more thoughtful and more nuanced in how I approach big questions, especially those tied to larger societal issues. I’ve discovered that I value complexity, and that I’m not afraid to sit with ambiguity or explore ideas that challenge me.

Ultimately, I think one of the biggest things I’ve learned about myself is that I want to keep seeking out different viewpoints, keep evolving and keep learning. That mindset shift, moving from certainty to curiosity, has changed not only how I think, but who I am.

Who or what influenced your Cornell education the most?

The people who have influenced my Cornell education the most, without question, are the professors, staff, friends, family and the often-unsung members of our community who work behind the scenes every day to make this university what it is.

Both of my thesis advisors, Professor Tracy Mitrano and Professor Bruce Lewenstein, have had a profound impact on me as a student. Over the past year, they’ve guided me through the process of developing and writing my thesis, and in doing so, they’ve helped me grow in ways I never anticipated. Their mentorship pushed me to think more critically, ask better questions and gain confidence in my own academic voice. I truly wouldn’t be the student I am today without their support.

Another major influence has been my experience in the Meinig Scholars Executive Mentorship Program. Through it, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to connect with senior leaders at the university, including former Cornell President Martha Pollack and Professor Corey Earle. Learning directly from President Pollack was one of the most unique and inspiring experiences I’ve had at Cornell; hearing her insights on leadership, institutional decision-making and her own path was something I’ll never forget. Current President Michael Kotlikoff also participated in the program, and I’ll always remember the fun event of competing against his mentorship group in a cook-off at the new Morrison dining hall!

Professor Corey Earle, my current Meinig mentor and the unofficial historian of Cornell, has also had a huge impact. Taking his class during my final semester has felt like a full-circle moment. His passion for Cornell’s history and culture has deepened my own appreciation for the university and helped me see my place within its larger story.

Of course, my friends have shaped my experience in countless ways. They’ve been there for every late night in the library, every early morning coffee run, every walk around campus or spontaneous trip into Ithaca and around Upstate New York. They’ve kept me grounded, energized and laughing through it all, and having that kind of community has made my time here even more meaningful.

And above all, my family has been my foundation. Their unwavering belief in me, constant encouragement and love from afar have carried me through the toughest moments and celebrated every milestone with me. They’re the reason I arrived at Cornell ready to learn and grow, and they’ve continued to be the steady support behind everything I’ve achieved here.

Lastly, I want to recognize the many staff members we may not always see or fully know, those who greet us with smiles on the bus, serve us in the dining halls, keep our buildings clean and beautiful and ensure that the university runs smoothly every single day. Their kindness, hard work and quiet consistency are a core part of the Cornell experience, and they’ve made this place feel like a true community.

Together, these mentors, teachers, friends, family and everyday members of campus life have made my Cornell journey what it is, one filled with growth, connection, and moments I’ll carry with me long after I leave.

Every year, our faculty nominate graduating Arts & Sciences students to be featured as part of our Extraordinary Journeys series.Read more about the Class of 2025.