Meet Yatharth Chandna, the 2025 Spring Commencement student speaker!

Yatharth Chandna is a senior at Michigan State University, majoring in Finance. Originally from New Delhi, India, Yatharth plans to join Ernst & Young as part of the finance consulting team in Chicago after graduation.

We sat down with Yatharth to get to know him, ahead of watching him take the stage at Spring Commencement on May 3.

Over the past few years, I’ve been fortunate to grow both personally and professionally through the opportunities MSU has given me—whether that’s through internships, leadership roles, or simply learning from people around me. I wanted to be the student commencement speaker because I believe in the power of stories—how they connect us, inspire us, and celebrate our shared journey. I wanted to honor the hard work and resilience of my fellow Spartans and share a message of hope, gratitude, and forward momentum.

Yatharth Chandna (left) participated in TEDxMSU during his time at MSU.

One experience I’ll always hold close is organizing the annual TEDxMSU conference. It was a year-long journey – from brainstorming the theme to recruiting speakers, handling logistics, and managing marketing. Being part of a team that worked so hard behind the scenes to bring bold ideas and diverse voices to the stage was incredibly rewarding. One of the most surreal moments was standing in the Wharton Center during rehearsals, watching everything we planned come to life. It reminded me how impactful student-led initiatives can be when creativity, purpose, and teamwork come together.

And then there’s the Broad Gala—easily one of my favorite campus traditions. It’s this annual celebration where we take a night off from classes to recognize outstanding students, faculty, and organizations in the Broad College. Everyone’s dressed to the nines, the energy is high, and it’s a beautiful reminder of the community we’ve built here. Catching up with friends, sharing laughs, and just being present in that moment always made campus life feel a little more magical.

I really enjoyed Financial Modeling (FI 355). It taught me how to build robust financial models from the ground up – everything from forecasting and valuation to scenario analysis. It was one of the most hands-on, applicable courses in my curriculum, and I later had the chance to return as an undergraduate learning assistant, which made the experience even more meaningful. Helping other students understand the material and apply it in real-time sharpened my own understanding and communication skills.

Another favorite was Real Estate Asset Management (HB 470). This course opened my eyes to how large-scale real estate portfolios are managed and optimized. I learned how to look at properties not just as physical spaces but as assets that can be repositioned, reimagined, and revitalized to increase long-term value. The class emphasized turning underperforming assets around, making strategic decisions about redevelopment, and balancing financial returns with operational strategy – all of which really deepened my interest in real estate and asset management.

The Business Library was a favorite, especially the quiet corners where I could really focus and get things done. I also spent a lot of time at the tables outside Panera in the Minskoff Pavilion. It was a convenient spot to meet up with friends for group work or just power through assignments between meetings. Over time, that whole area in the Pavilion became a go-to space where I felt comfortable and productive.

I was involved in several organizations that really shaped my college experience. I served as an investment analyst for the Student Investment Association, where I helped manage a real-money portfolio and gained hands-on experience in equity research and portfolio strategy. I was also the fundraising coordinator for TEDxMSU, working with an incredible team to bring our annual themed conference to life. And I served as the financial manager for the Student Allocations Board at ASMSU, our student government, where I was responsible for overseeing the budgeting and allocation process for student organizations across campus. Each of these roles helped me grow as a leader, problem solver, and collaborator.

After graduation, I’m excited to be joining Ernst & Young (EY) in their Chicago office as part of the Finance Consulting team. I’m especially drawn to the blend of analytical rigor and strategic thinking the role requires, and I’m looking forward to learning from industry leaders, solving real-world problems, and continuing to grow as a finance professional.

Visit the MSU Commencement webpage to learn more about the featured speakers, schedule and FAQs.