After spending my first week on the ground at Harvard back in July, I've come to realize that the university is shaped less by its famous brand or stately buildings and more by the people who bring it to life. My colleagues are absolutely incredible—they hail from all over the world and represent a diversity of backgrounds: a school teacher, principal, doctor, film-maker, architect, scientist, and more. Everyone here recognizes that education plays a vital role in shaping a more just and promising future for the next generations. The professors are more than just experts—they are stewards of their fields, bringing a deep passion for discovery and a genuine desire to share knowledge with students and the wider world. Their work isn’t just about personal achievement.
Service, I’ve discovered, truly sets Harvard apart. For all its reputation as an “elite” institution, the culture here trains people not to be above others, but to become public servants: responsible, humble, and ready to take on the world’s pressing challenges, sometimes putting their lives own on the line (for leadership, look to the adaptive leadership framework from Ron Heifetz). From the very first day, Dr. Irvin Scott reminded us that we were chosen not just for our past accomplishments, but for our potential to create “more impact.” The expectation here is not only to do exemplary work, but to do it for others.
Another remarkable aspect is the sense of connectedness. The boundaries you might expect between schools or disciplines are almost non-existent. As a Harvard student, you have access to every library on campus, a vast wealth of expertise, and a passionate community eager to collaborate. If you’re working to scale an educational program and want to understand its implications in government, you’ll naturally find synergy between the Graduate School of Education and the Kennedy School. The Harvard Innovation Lab, with its mentors in social change, is also open to every student. In my own program, I have the opportunity to take classes with professors who teach across the university—like “Brave Communication” connected with the Kennedy School or Negotiation Strategy connected with the Law School—which means I’m constantly learning alongside people who approach problems with a multidisciplinary, holistic perspective. I am eager to explore these connections.
And then, there’s the history. Walking through Harvard Yard, you feel immersed in something much larger than yourself. From its role as a center of moral leadership in the early colonies to its influence in shaping leaders who have gone on to impact nations, Harvard’s legacy is symbolically woven into traditions, stories and physical locations in every corner of the storied campus. It was a breathtaking moment when Alexis Redding took us on a tour of the old campus and had us stand on Tercentenary theater to envision our graduation day, even the spot where we would sit. I teared up thinking about my family and how I would make them proud to be part of this storied lineage.
What I’ve ultimately learned is that Harvard may be seen as a place of privilege and prestige, but at its core, it’s a school for those who want to serve their communities and their nations with purpose. Truth-seeking lies at the heart of its culture, and this is essential to its continued relevance, especially as it endures political pressures from the federal government right now.
Students and faculty alike are united by a shared promise: to use their knowledge and talents not for status, but for the common good. I feel deeply humbled and inspired to be part of this tradition—and motivated to live up to the trust placed in me.