Communication master’s student Harnit Mahal is studying the relationship between cultural adherence and health outcomes
Harnit Mahal
By Colin Bowyer, Communications Manager - May 14, 2025
Harnit Mahal, ‘22, loved to learn, but wasn’t too keen on school. Mahal’s parents, who immigrated to Northern California from Punjab, India, stressed the importance of receiving a comprehensive education. In middle school, Mahal joined Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) college preparatory program, then Upward Bound (now TRiO), which brought her on a college visit to Oregon State.
“OSU was my first college tour,” said Mahal, “and I immediately felt comfortable. There was something about being on OSU’s campus and in Corvallis that I could see myself here.”
Mahal joined the College of Liberal Arts as a first-generation student in psychology, but after taking Interpersonal Communication (COMM 218), she decided to add speech communication to her academic resume.
“I was still interested in psychology and learning about the inner workings of the human brain,” explained Mahal. “But I found that communications looked at a person’s behaviors and actions more holistically. Bringing in speech comm. to complement psychology was one of the best decisions I ever made.”
The Covid-19 Pandemic disrupted Mahal’s plans to study abroad in the U.K. (which she did virtually instead), but that didn’t stop her from becoming more involved on campus through Beaver Connect and the Educational Opportunities Program (EOP). She also became an academic counselor and coach on campus, helping other students excel at their own studies.
When considering what to do after receiving her bachelor’s degree, Mahal wanted to continue in the field of communications. She looked at graduate programs around the country, but Mahal decided to stay at OSU and in the School of Communication.
“I already felt so comfortable at OSU, but the School of Communication was even more welcoming and supportive of me during my undergraduate, and now graduate, studies. Faculty commit to an open door policy and are always willing to lend a helping hand or share their perspectives.”
Upon starting her master’s work, Mahal received a teaching assistantship, as well as a scholarship from Philanthropic Educational Organization (P.E.O., Chapter EK), which allowed her to focus on her health communication research. Mahal is examining if cultural adherence informs the diet and exercise habits of South Asians, and ultimately, rates of cardiovascular disease.
“I want to make access to healthcare easier for immigrants and to find ways to improve communication in healthcare settings,” said Mahal. “I see this research as a way of giving back.”
In the future, Mahal can see herself moving into a physician liaison role and further bridging the gaps in healthcare delivery. She’s also open to going back to psychology.
“Health communication is ultimately so interdisciplinary that I have more options than I know what to do with.”