Why did you decide to become an Outreach & Belonging Associate last year?
I remember how overwhelming the application process felt when I was applying two years ago and I wanted to make it easier for future applicants—especially those navigating the process from abroad or outside traditional policy circles. Becoming an Outreach & Belonging Associate gave me a way to help demystify that process while sharing an authentic look at what life at HKS is like.
What has been your favorite part of your experience in this position so far?
Last year, I helped host a webinar series that averaged over 150 attendees per session, where we discussed the HKS application process and dispelled common myths about admissions. Those conversations reminded me how powerful transparency can be. The role also deepened my understanding of how the research centers at HKS—from the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation, to the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, to the Taubman Center for State and Local Government—connect students to real-world policy work and how incoming students can contribute to that ecosystem.
What are you most looking forward to this year as an Outreach & Belonging Associate?
This year, I’m looking forward to connecting with more applicants who are curious but hesitant, specifically people who might not see themselves as “policy professionals” yet but who care deeply about impact. Helping them find their place here feels meaningful.
What is your top piece of advice for applicants?
Don’t over-curate your story. Focus on clarity and authenticity, specifically who you are and what you care about!
Quick Questions
- Favorite study spot: Widener Library or the Student Center
- Favorite restaurant near campus: Felipe's!
- One bucket list item you want to accomplish before graduating: Making a matcha tier list for all the cafes in and near Harvard Square
- Favorite guest speaker: MIT Professor Daron Acemoglu
Nidhi Nair MPP 2026
Originally from Connecticut, Nidhi Nair MPP 2026 is focused on how state and local governments can deliver public services more effectively through data, partnerships, and performance management. She has explored this firsthand during her Transition Term Fellowship in Wilmington, Delaware and at her Bloomberg Harvard City Hall Fellowship, where she led research on a shared services initiative between Hartford and East Hartford, CT. During her last year at HKS, she hopes to enroll in an Urban Field Lab course and visit every Harvard library.
Submit your master's degree application for the 2026-2027 academic year by December 1.