In a world where most people chase money and stick to safe, predictable paths, Khanjan Mehta is doing something completely different, the inaugural Vice Provost for Creative Inquiry at Lehigh University, stands as a testament to Impact. Impact and Impact. Mehta, a self-described “prime instigator”, has dedicated his life to interdisciplinary learning and creating tangible, sustainable change globally.
I had the privilege of speaking with Mehta, whose path from a rebellious, question-everything student to an internationally acclaimed leader in social innovation is both unconventional and genuinely inspiring. His candid insights into his past, his passion projects, and his philosophy for meaningful work offer a refreshing perspective on education, career, and purpose.
The Unconventional Path to Purpose
Mehta’s story begins with his grandfather, a biochemist, poet, and Gandhian freedom fighter, who instilled in him a deep belief in empathy and the principle that “if you truly care about something and are humble enough, you can learn anything and accomplish everything.”
“I hated the regimented formal schooling system,” Mehta admits, describing how he consistently ranked in the bottom 10% of his class while preferring open inquiry to rote learning. As a child, he taught himself to fix appliances, worked as an eight-year-old electrician, and at ten, drafted a detailed plan to build homes for the homeless.
His academic journey was marked by disdain for what was “already known” and a fierce drive for discovery. Even graduate school, pursued more for an “American degree” than academic passion, reinforced his belief: “You don’t need to be an expert to add value or solve a real problem.”
This conviction eventually led him to build a humanitarian engineering and social entrepreneurship program at Penn State over six years, focusing on women’s economic empowerment and health systems in developing countries. His philosophy was straightforward: “I cared little about what my students learned but cared deeply about them and even more deeply about what they created that really advanced the world.” This dedication to innovation became Khanjan Mehta’s driving force.
Sipping Black Coffee and Global Impact
When asked about a project that still occupies his thoughts, Mehta, ever the pragmatist (and black coffee/whiskey enthusiast over chai), highlights his decade-long work on affordable greenhouses. This wasn’t a fleeting concept but rather a sustained effort that led to transformative success across multiple countries.
He elaborates on the “Grow Greenhouses” initiative: “Commercial greenhouses sell for upwards of $3,000 in East Africa… Our innovation is an affordable greenhouse, we sell it with a comfortable profit margin for under $1,000.” This simple, modular system enables year-round growth, protects plants from pests and extreme weather, and reduces water usage by as much as 90%.
Impact Results:
- Farmers see minimum 30% yield increases with 3-5 annual crop cycles
- Women’s associations typically see 5x profit increases
- Commercial farmers experience 10x turnover growth
- Notable success: One Mozambique farmer will produce 500 additional tons with two greenhouses, earning tens of thousands more and providing employee bonuses
Finding Your North Star: Advice for Aspiring Changemakers
Many students yearn to do meaningful work but feel lost at the starting line.
Mehta’s advice is both practical and deeply philosophical, stemming from conversations with over 300 social innovators for his book, Solving Problems that Matter (and Getting Paid for It).
“We often ask the wrong question,” he asserts. “We ask what organization I want to work for. The question we should be asking is what problems do I want to solve? What problems really tug at my heartstrings? What problems keep me up all night?”
To help students find their “platform,” Mehta suggests three guiding questions:
- What is your preferred engagement approach? Do you prefer policy, technology, business solutions, or advocacy?
- Do you prefer working with systems or people? Do you want to effect large-scale, slow change or direct, one-on-one impact?
- What is your preferred work culture? Do you thrive in hierarchical or chaotic environments? Do you prefer independent work or teamwork?
Once you align your core values, worldview, and engagement philosophy, it’s about building a compelling portfolio and a strong network. “Don’t tell me I spent 3 months in Africa… tell me I built a social enterprise in Burkina Faso that provides affordable sanitary napkins to secondary school girls,” he challenges, emphasizing tangible impact over mere activity.
The major take away he emphasis on is to just be your true authentic self – know yourself, niche yourself and pursue things that you truly deeply care about. Don’t be afraid to speak your mind and carve out your own journey.
On Trends and Authenticity
Mehta doesn’t engage with the “overhyped vs. underrated” trend question, admitting he rarely thinks in those terms. However, he offers strong views on service learning, declaring himself “anti-service.” “I don’t want to serve anyone or want anyone to serve me. It is mutual engagement for mutual gain.”
He also takes issue with “conflating social innovation with developing soft skills.” For Mehta, the core objective of innovation is “creating tangible value for people – reducing suffering, making life better,” not merely skill development. While acknowledging that transferable skills are indeed gained, he stresses that innovation is sometimes “overly romanticized.”
The Executive Chef
If his work became a Netflix documentary, Mehta suggests titles like “Impact Files,” “Making Futures,” or “FutureMakers.” When asked if his balanced approach to practicality and vision was innate, he confidently replies, “I think I was always like that.”
In an alternate universe, this trailblazer’s passions extend far beyond academia. His top choice? “Be the executive chef of a bunch of global fusion restaurants. Maybe one where you can have a nice lunch and immediately take a nap after.” (A revealing detail: he cooks dinner at home every day.)
A Life Lived for Impact
Khanjan Mehta’s journey offers a compelling alternative to conventional definitions of success. His story demonstrates that a deeply purposeful life can be built upon the very traits often dismissed in traditional settings: boundless curiosity, thoughtful rebellion against rigid systems, and an unwavering commitment to solving problems that genuinely matter.
His message resonates clearly with emerging leaders: extraordinary impact doesn’t require permission or validation from established institutions. Through his own example, Mehta shows that meaningful work is an ongoing adventure one fueled by authentic passion, genuine self-expression, and the persistent drive to create tangible improvements in people’s lives.
Last Updated on: Friday, July 25, 2025 8:47 pm by Sonal Gramopadhye | Published by: Sonal Gramopadhye on Friday, July 25, 2025 8:47 pm | News Categories: News
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