In this piece, Janna Chowdhury reflects on her journey from first-generation college student in New York City to Ed.M. candidate in the Learning Design, Innovation, and Technology (LDIT) Program at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, concentrating in Higher Education. Drawing on her experiences as a multilingual high school teacher, college-access supervisor, and Gates Cambridge Scholar, Janna explores how navigating public higher education and international academic spaces shaped her commitment to access, transition, and belonging.
Janna Chowdhury (she/her)
Experiences That Shaped My Path to Education
I am a first-generation college student from NYC. My parents immigrated to the United States and, for many reasons, never had the opportunity to attend college themselves. Growing up, higher education felt both powerful and distant – something I believed in deeply but didn’t fully understand how to navigate.
I never imagined that I would one day become the first student in CUNY history to receive the Gates Cambridge Scholarship and pursue a fully funded master’s degree at the University of Cambridge. Years earlier, I had dreamed about coming to HGSE, but life took unexpected turns that brought me to Cambridge first and eventually back here in a way that felt full circle.
Having experienced both public higher education in New York City and an international academic environment abroad, I am interested in access, transition, and belonging in higher education spaces. I became deeply interested in how students move through educational systems, i.e., who feels welcomed, who feels excluded, and how institutions can better support first-generation and underrepresented learners. That curiosity ultimately led me to pursue higher education studies at HGSE.
Before arriving, I brought perspectives shaped by teaching multilingual students, supervising college-access programs, and navigating elite academic spaces as a first-generation student. These experiences helped me approach HGSE with both curiosity and purpose: I wanted to understand systems deeply while never losing sight of the students those systems serve.
(Some of) My Favorite Courses at HGSE
1. A701: Creating the Future of American Postsecondary Education
This was our required class for all Higher Education concentrations, and I got to meet so many people interested in working in the same field as me – whether in student support and success programs, college advising, enrollment leadership, or even future university presidents in the making. My peers came from all kinds of backgrounds, and I even had classmates who worked in the HGSE admissions office sitting right beside me as fellow students, which made for a truly wholesome learning experience.
Professor Fran Purcell is incredibly thoughtful in how she designs the curriculum, giving us a great overview of all the layers of the higher education landscape, and not to mention, she’s hilarious in her lectures! She scaffolded projects so they were relevant to our own career interests and goals. One of the best parts was that two retired university presidents taught portions of the course and shared what their jobs are actually like. Those conversations made higher education leadership feel real and accessible.
2. EDU A747: Strategic Enrollment Management
This is by far one of the most useful classes I’ve taken for understanding enrollment management. Professor Drew Allen is a brilliant data expert and teaches us how institutions across the U.S. approach enrollment, admissions strategy, and the data that ultimately shapes college access. He breaks down complex ideas in a way that feels practical and applicable to real-world work. He’s also incredibly open to meeting students for coffee and is a kind, supportive person. I truly feel like I gained some of my most practical and transferable skills in this course.
3. T550: Designing for Learning by Creating
Whether you’re in the LDIT program taking this course as your PCE or not, if you have a creative idea, a passion project, or even something in your life you’ve always wanted to explore but never found the time for, this course is the space for you. Karen Brennan is brilliant in the way she designed the curriculum. There wasn’t a single moment that felt unstructured – and I mean that in the best way. Every week, you make real progress on a project of your choice. Some of my peers used this class to start nonprofits, while others used it to reconnect with personal goals, like learning to read and write in their native language. The class is intentionally designed to bring people together, and I met so many new friends through it. I’ll genuinely never forget this experience.
Advice for Prospective HGSE Students
When I first arrived at HGSE, I felt overwhelmed by the number of course choices and opportunities available. My biggest advice is this: there is no “wrong” path here.
Every class, conversation, and collaboration becomes part of your learning experience. Come in ready to reflect and stay open to unexpected moments of growth – not only in the classroom but through the people you meet.
Many courses invite guest speakers who are leaders across education, policy, and innovation. If someone’s work resonates with you, write their name down and reach out for a conversation. HGSE is full of doors waiting to be opened, and sometimes the hardest step – especially as a first-generation student – is believing you are allowed to walk through them. You are.
One last piece of advice: if you see something that could enrich your experience, don’t be afraid to bring your vision to life. When I first arrived, I found myself wishing there were more opportunities for students to connect across Harvard schools, so I stepped into a community organizer role to help start this initiative – and it became a success. Chances are, others may be feeling the exact same way you are! If you notice something missing, don’t be afraid to take the lead and improve it.
What’s Next After HGSE
After graduation, I hope to continue working in higher education and college access nonprofit spaces, supporting first-generation and underrepresented students as they navigate pathways to and through college.
I’m excited to return home to New York City – to my husband, family, and the communities that shaped me. HGSE has introduced me to incredible people from around the world, and I look forward to welcoming future HGSE students who find themselves in NYC.
If my story resonated with you in any way or if you have any questions, feel free to reach out anytime on LinkedIn!
HGSE Admissions Blog 