Hello! My name is Devon Caveney (she, her, hers), and I am one of the Graduate Assistants in the HGSE Admissions Office. I am also a full-time Ed.M. student in the Higher Education program. Prior to joining HGSE, I was a college counselor at a charter high school in New York City. My graduate school experience, along with the rest of my peers, has been unprecedented for HGSE. The past six months have been an emotional journey that I’m excited to share with you.
My acceptance to HGSE felt like a life-changing moment (and it still does). It was a cold, March evening when I received my admissions offer. I was so ecstatic that I let out a piercing shriek, scaring some of the passersby in the crowded NYC streets. I was confident that I would accept my offer immediately. However, two weeks later, I was quarantined in my tiny apartment due to the dire circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. My concerns about public health, safety, and financial security had me questioning my dream to attend HGSE.
In early June, admitted students received the news that HGSE would be completely remote for School Year ’20-’21. My stomach dropped. I was going crazy sitting in front of my computer all day in my college counselor position. At least in my job I was getting paid to navigate online learning. Could I justify paying Harvard tuition for a remote experience? Soon after the announcement, HGSE held program specific zoom meetings to discuss the unexpected shift. I attended and after meeting my program director and administrator (shoutout Francesca Purcell and Abbie Bloom!), I instantly felt better. I appreciated their honesty, empathy, and positivity. They made me feel comfortable with my decision to enroll as a full-time remote student.
I am now five weeks into my first semester and laugh at myself that I ever questioned accepting my HGSE admissions offer. Although I am on my computer more than I would like to be, I am learning SO MUCH and having fun doing so! I sit in zoom class with peers from California, Hong Kong, and the UK. We all bring unique perspectives and I am always engaged by the relevant curriculum developed by the faculty.
The beauty of HGSE is that whether you are remote or in person, you are surrounded by genuine, impressive, and passionate people that want to change the world for the better. My virtual classmates always bring the energy. We message each other when we agree or disagree, and use zoom reactions to demonstrate our engagement (my favorite is the clap hands emoji). At the end of most of my classes, we all unmute ourselves, wildly wave at our computers, and collectively say goodbye. Although these moments may look odd to a bystander, it shows that everyone is trying their best to foster community. I can’t wait to see what is in store for the rest of my time at HGSE!
HGSE Admissions Blog 