HGSE Admissions Blog

Our student organizations here at HGSE shape our community and play a significant role in the experiences of students. We asked student leaders from a few organizations to share their experiences creating spaces for engagement and community-building.

Black Student Union

Leaders: Derrick Hollifield (Ed.L.D.) & Emmanuel Wright (Ed.M. Learning Design, Innovation, and Technology)

When I first attended a BSU meeting at HGSE, I felt an overwhelming sense of community and purpose. This sense of connection, combined with the respect I had for former presidents Terrance Mitchell and Riley Jones, inspired me to run for Doctoral President. I believed in the mission and vision of the BSU and wanted to build on the strong foundation that had been established.

The Black Student Union cultivates and celebrates Black culture both on and off the HGSE’s campus. We promote proactive leadership, scholarship, community outreach, and student empowerment. We embrace cultural heritage, unity, and appreciation of diversity within and beyond the African Diaspora. BSU aims to unite Black students from across HGSE’s eight graduate programs, both residential and online. We seek to foster a constructive exchange of ideas, address shared concerns, and strengthen our collective identity.

As Doctoral President, I work closely with the Masters Co-President Emmanuel Wright to ensure that the BSU’s operations, fundraising, marketing, human resources, technology, and programs are implemented effectively. I am particularly passionate about creating experiences that are both relevant and healing for Black students at HGSE. One of my favorite events from last year was a spring break retreat to Martha’s Vineyard, where we cultivated meaningful relationships and created space to unwind and reflect.

This year, we are being intentional about including our general body members in planning and implementing our programs. We are also prioritizing collaborations with other student organizations at HGSE, as well as Black student groups across Harvard. I am excited about the upcoming service projects we have planned within the greater Boston community, which will allow us to have a broader impact.

I encourage every incoming student at HGSE to get involved in student organizations, offer your insights, invest your time, and engage beyond the classroom. The HGSE experience is so much more than attending classes. Your voice is a major contribution to the vibrant community of leaders, learners, and change-makers. Join us as we work together to create meaningful change, not just at HGSE but across Harvard and the Boston community.

First Generation Student Organization

Leaders: Dionicia Berrones & Snehal Rawal (Ed.M. Education Leadership, Organizations, and Entrepreneurship)

Stepping into this leadership role means that we are ready to continue building community and creating space for first-generation graduate students to thrive. As first-generation students, we have have personally experienced the unique challenges of navigating higher education. We are deeply committed to creating a space where first-gen students feel supported and empowered. It is crucial for there to be spaces for people to be human with one another and feel comfortable in sharing their experiences. It’s about seeing and supporting each other to show up as our best selves. Our responsibilities include organizing events, advocating for our community, and ensuring that all first-gen perspectives, both domestic and international, are amplified and heard. This type of community space will not be done alone, so we are trying to gather as many first-generation students as possible to join our space and share what they want to see provided at HGSE to ensure they can thrive.

We firmly believe in the power of building bridges, not just within HGSE, but across the entire Harvard and Boston communities. This year, we are excited to launch an initiative to unite all first-gen student organizations across Harvard’s various schools into a larger collective—something that has not been done before. By coming together as a greater first-gen community, we can amplify our impact, share resources, and build a more supportive network. We heard from some first-generation students that they want to experience community, from dinner to trips around the city; we are trying to set up a space that feels like us. Additionally, Snehal is in active discussions with the First Gen Alumni Association in Boston to bring them on board. With their experience and guidance, we hope to offer our members opportunities for mentorship, professional development, and career networking that will extend far beyond graduation.

In terms of milestones, we recently had our first meeting! Seeing some folks together despite conflicting schedules and assignments was so lovely. We are also excited to announce that on November 8, we will be celebrating First-Generation Student Day with a panel of inspiring first-gen alumni and faculty members. This event will provide an opportunity for current students to hear firsthand experiences and build connections with others who have walked the same path. Additionally, we are planning monthly events that will cover a range of topics from career workshops to community-building activities, all aimed at providing continuous support for our members. The support we have received from HGSE has been instrumental in the growth of our organization. The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, in particular, has provided resources for event planning, funding, and guidance in shaping our initiatives. Additionally, the strong network of HGSE alumni has allowed me to bring in diverse voices for our events, ensuring that our community is both inclusive and empowering

If you are interested in our organization or any organization, just show up! Come to an in-person meeting at the beginning of the year, attend an information session online before you’re officially on campus, or jump into as many group chats as possible! I can’t tell you what space is going to be the perfect fit, but I can say (with confidence) that showing up in all types of spaces where you can find the community you need is the first step to getting the right fit. Now, if none of the current ones are for you, and you want to make one, the Office of Student Affairs is the next spot you may need to show up to register for a new one! To any prospective students considering starting or joining a student organization at HGSE, we would say: lead with purpose and passion. It’s essential to build a strong foundation, connect with like-minded peers, and seek guidance from faculty and staff who are eager to support you. Don’t be afraid to take the lead—you have the power to make a lasting difference.

Global Women’s Initiative

Leaders: Somphors Tann (Ed.M Human Development and Education) & Maria Arogundade (Ed.M Education Policy and Analysis)

Maria and I (Sompa) bring together a wealth of diverse experiences to our leadership roles in the Global Women’s Initiative (GWI) at HGSE, united by a commitment to advocate for and empower women. Maria’s journey has been marked by her role as one of only two women in a management position at a startup university in Nigeria, where she led finance and operations in a male-dominated environment. Her background as a pioneer in leadership has made her a fierce advocate for elevating women’s voices. My experience complements hers through my work in global education and women’s empowerment. As the founder of Higher Education Dreamers, a nonprofit that guides high-achieving, low-income Cambodian students in securing tuition-free university scholarships, I have navigated both patriarchal challenges and resource limitations firsthand. My work centers around helping Cambodian youth break barriers and see their potential, which aligns with Maria’s vision. Together, as Co-Presidents of GWI, we’re committed to creating a space at HGSE that fosters empowerment, mentorship, and community for women.

The support from HGSE’s Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) has been essential in bringing our vision for GWI to life. Thanks to their resources, we’ve been able to organize impactful events, secure meeting spaces, and reach a broader audience of students. Jessica, our DEIB mentor, has provided invaluable guidance in helping us expand GWI’s presence on campus, and DEIB’s backing has been critical as we work to establish a lasting legacy for GWI.

Looking forward, Maria and I are committed to extending GWI’s impact beyond HGSE and into the broader Harvard and Boston communities. We are planning to host networking events with alumni, invite inspiring women leaders to speak, and celebrate milestones like Women’s History Month, International Women’s Day, and Mother’s Day. Our goal is to foster collaboration, mentorship, and empowerment on a larger scale, providing valuable opportunities for HGSE women to connect and grow within a supportive community.

For prospective students interested in joining or starting an affinity group at HGSE, we cannot emphasize enough how important it is to connect with DEIB or the Office of Student Affairs early on. Both Maria and I have benefitted greatly from DEIB’s mentorship, which has equipped us to create a lasting impact. For those passionate about creating safe spaces or advocating for equity, HGSE offers a welcoming and supportive network that can help bring your vision to life. Together, Maria and I believe GWI has the potential to create lasting change, building a more inclusive, empowering environment for women at HGSE and beyond.

Harvard UndocuGraduate Collective

Leader: Maria Ximena Valenzuela (Ed.M, Learning Design, Innovation, and Technology)

I applied to be a Student Affinity Group Leader for HGSE’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion with a particular interest in supporting undocumented students on campus! As an undocumented student myself, one of my biggest goals in coming to HGSE was to cultivate community spaces and build up advocacy and support efforts to increase visibility of the undocumented student experience on campus. I am happy to share that we have renamed our group to be the Harvard UndocuGraduate Collective, with one of our core mission components being that of supporting, empowering, and advocating for undocumented graduate students across all of Harvard’s graduate and professional schools.  

Thus far, we have held our first group meeting where we help space for folks with lived experiences to share their own stories, and collectively crafted our vision for what we wanted to accomplish this year. We are now set on dedicating our efforts to creating a centralized set of resources for prospective and admitted undocumented students, as well as a stronger network of support for current and future undocumented Harvard graduate students. Currently, our team is conducting a needs assessment in collaboration with HGSE’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as part of our work to launch this! 

As the election approaches, we are in the process of planning a series of safe spaces for folks to come together and process – more to come! We are very grateful to be working with Carola Suarez-Orozco, who is our group’s Faculty Advisor! Her support, enthusiasm, and overall passion for empowering immigrant communities is truly a driving force in this work, and we are so grateful to have her actively uplifting and centering the needs of undocumented students here at Harvard!

If I were to give advice to prospective students who are interested in joining or starting a student organization at HGSE, it would be to take up space as a way to make space!!! As I reflect on my HGSE experience thus far, I would say this is truly one of the most supportive student communities I have ever been a part of in my educational career. I encourage future HGSE students to dive right in and launch anything you’re passionate about – HGSE students are so incredibly uplifting. Fully embracing the sole year you have ahead of you really drives the community-building aspect of your student experience! 

Student Parents/Caregivers Group

Leaders: Johanna Setiawan (Ed.M. Learning Design, Innovation, and Technology) & Marisa Palumbo (Online Ed.M. in Education Leadership)

Marisa: As a parent of a toddler and a graduate student and full time school administrator, my biggest reservation about embarking on the Harvard journey was motherhood. I wanted to become involved with the Student/Caregiver Affinity group so that I could support other students in similar situations as myself, and also learn from their experiences and establish a community within HGSE.
Johanna: As a mother of two who moved from another country and has been a Harvard spouse for two years, I understand how challenging it can be to navigate the complexities of moving and settling into Cambridge. I want to share the knowledge I’ve gained to help others in similar situations and make their transition smoother and less overwhelming.

So far, we have been working with the HGSE Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to recruit more members, and have also been trying to connect with HGSE student parent caregivers through both a WhatsApp group and Slack. We are hoping to plan quarterly parent meetings and events for families on campus. Wednesday, October 30th from 3-5pm we hosted a Halloween table at the HGSE Spooktacular, where all children were welcome and we met some new parent/caregivers to join our group.

In terms of offering advice to prospective students…the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is so responsive and supportive- please share your idea with their office and they will be happy to advise you on resources and help bring your ideas to fruition. Joining or starting a student organization at HGSE can be beneficial for
building a supportive community because you can connect and share experience
with others. Being part of a student organization also allows you to contribute to
the HGSE community in creating spaces for discussion, and addressing shared
interests. If you’re thinking about starting a new organization, consider
identifying a common goal that will bring people together, and take advantage of
the resources HGSE offers to help get your group started.

Student Islamic Society

Leaders: Ibraheem Abdulganeey (Ed.M. Education Policy and Analysis) & Sumaiyea Uddin (Ed.M. Human Development and Education)

Our mission is to foster a unified and supportive Muslim community on campus while engaging in meaningful dialogues focused on educational equity and global inclusivity. Through our events, we aim to educate the broader community about the tenets of Islam, dispel misconceptions related to Islamophobia and support members of our Muslim communities.

We took on leadership roles to continue the legacy of previous students who sought to build a supportive environment for Muslim students at HGSE. As new leaders, we benefited greatly from the orientation that HGSE conducted for student organizations, which helped us understand how to structure our organization, plan events, and make the most of available resources. Our responsibilities include organizing events, managing collaborations, and ensuring that the society’s mission of inclusivity and engagement is carried out effectively.

The HGSE Islamic Society is committed to engaging with both the HGSE, Harvard and broader Boston communities. We plan to host a variety of events, including collaborations similar society in the campus, game nights, restaurant crawls (where we visit multiple restaurants in one area), halaqas (discussion circles), tafsir, workshops, and seminars. We recently hosted our first event of the year, the “HGSE Islamic Society Meet & Greet” on Thursday, October 17th. It was a successful opportunity for HGSE Muslim students to connect, share experiences and access valuable resources for their time at HGSE. Moving forward, we plan to organize more events before the end of the year.

HGSE’s support systems have been integral to our growth. Our advisor, Rahma Junaidean, has been an invaluable resource in planning our programming and guiding us through our initiatives. Also, Dorie Campbell from the HGSE Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion has been instrumental in supporting our goals and providing resources to enhance our efforts.

Comunidad Latinx

Leaders: Gustavo Luna (Ed.L.D.) & Ivonne Millan (Ed.M. Education Leadership, Organizations, and Entrepreneurship program)

I arrived at HGSE virtually in the fall of 2020, during the height of the COVID pandemic. In those days, comunidad was built over Zoom, and I quickly found myself warmly welcomed in a Comunidad Latinx hangout room. Anyeli, Deicy, Silvana, and a wonderful group of Spanish-speaking students created a space for comunidad. We played games, shared our stories, and discussed life at virtual HGSE. I truly felt welcomed.

The following year, Harvard adopted a hybrid format, welcoming students both virtually and in person. This time, Daniela and Daniela hosted “Cafecito y Chisme” for club members. I was the only person attending virtually, but the two Danielas made me feel included. One Daniela carried her laptop with me on Zoom, ensuring that I participated in a small group conversation.

Esto es comunidad. This is community.

More than an affinity group, comunidad is a place where Latinos and Latinas connect with others who share similar cultures and stories. We bond over food, and everyone is welcomed. Here, speaking Spanglish feels natural. Having a safe space to be yourself, without the need to code-switch, creates a welcoming environment for Latinos y Latinas. This comunidad is an integral part of HGSE.

As a student in the master’s program, I attended events with Comunidad Latinx, but it wasn’t until my first year in the Doctor of Education Leadership program (Ed.L.D.) that I began to take on a leadership role within the organization. I use my time at HGSE to ensure continuity in programming for the organization year after year. As each new class of master’s students arrives, my role is to introduce them to the organization’s history, provide access to our shared drive and social media accounts, and identify the incoming leadership for the year. The class of 2025 is led by Ivonne Millan, a master’s student in the ELOE program. Dr. Miguel Shagun is the inaugural advisor for the organization. Together, we aim to provide opportunities for Latino and Latina HGSE students to build comunidad.

You are invited to join our monthly meetings or events. Come to all or come when you are free—you will always be welcomed.