Q&A with PCIIT innovation competition winner Jonathan Muruako

As a new graduate of the Master of Science in Nonprofit Leadership Program at Penn’s School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2), Jonathan Muruako, CAS’17, NPL’24, has completed his collegiate career while working to help others navigate education. The founder and CEO of Fitalyst, he uses learning analytics and behavioral design to help first-generation low-income students better navigate their college experiences.

For this initiative, Jonathan was named the winner of an inaugural innovation competition launched this spring by the Penn Center for Inclusive Innovation and Technology (PCIIT). Based at SP2, PCIIT established the competition to drive innovation, champion inclusion and ethics, and cultivate student leadership at SP2. We asked Jonathan to tell us more about his journey and what he hopes to accomplish through the competition’s non-equity prize, which includes a six-month incubation space, expert mentorship and support as he builds his initiative, and the opportunity to showcase his work.

Why did you choose Penn and SP2?

In 2013, as a wide-eyed Black kid born in Mississippi with Nigerian roots, I chose Penn for my undergraduate college experience. My initial visit to Penn was during the Multicultural Accepted Student Weekend, which was also my first time on a flight, my first time in the Northeast, and my first time surrounded by peers with whom I could fully relate. I eagerly embraced the chance to spend the next four years at a place that felt unfamiliar yet brimming with hope and charm. This four-year experiment transformed into eleven years of earning degrees in behavioral science, public health, and bioethics, culminating in a Master of Science in Nonprofit Leadership from SP2 with a focus on social entrepreneurship. Over the years, I have learned that Penn’s charm lies in its commitment to doing well by doing good, with SP2 as the epicenter of this moral duty. Now, as a Black Philadelphian, I consider SP2 my home for social innovation, centered on equity and impact.

When did you first know that you wanted to be involved in social justice work? Why?

As an undergraduate at Penn, I was heavily involved in community-building work as a leader in the Black campus community. Having come from a low-resourced environment, I found that my perspective within the privileged walls of Penn made me a visionary who could clearly see the link between social impact and innovation. Now, my mission is to help first-generation students successfully navigate the complexities of college so they can also do well by doing good.

What do you like the most about your experience at SP2? What would you consider the key takeaways?

The SP2 curriculum allowed me to develop and refine my social innovations as both a student and a social entrepreneur. Project-based classes provided an opportunity to further develop my ideas while also learning from and networking with top experts in the field. I’ve learned to leave no stone unturned and that relentless optimism only increases your surface area for luck!

What was your favorite SP2 class?

I honestly loved every SP2 class, but if I had to choose, it would be Social Entrepreneurship, which was my very first SP2 class. This class helped me develop the language to effectively articulate my dreams and set a strong foundation to take full advantage of my time in the program.

What accomplishments have been most meaningful to you, and why?

Becoming the inaugural winner of both PCIIT’s innovation competition and Penn Venture Lab’s Summer of Impact Venture Award are my most meaningful accomplishments because I think they signify a university-wide shift towards centering social innovation among the student population. It’s an honor to be here to not only witness a change in priorities but also help set the standard for excellence and ingenuity.

What are your career goals, and how do you think your SP2 experience will impact your professional path?

My company, Fitalyst, leverages learning analytics and behavioral design to provide first-generation, low-income students with timely and personalized wellness and academic support, meeting them where they are. I will be leading this initiative to guide every first-generation student to success, and if our approach helps these students, it will one day help all college students navigate their academic journeys. SP2 is my last stop in my collegiate career, and it has fully contextualized what it truly means to do good by doing well. I hope to leverage the network and incredible professionals and experts affiliated with SP2. If you are reading this and think we should connect, please find me on LinkedIn!