Every student’s path to Harvard Kennedy School is unique, and what our alumni go on to do after graduating is equally varied.
We asked several HKS alums to tell us about their experiences before, during, and after HKS, and to reflect on how their time at HKS has shaped their careers and lives.
Cynthia Yue MPP 2024 has always felt drawn towards helping underrepresented communities. From working at the United Nations while completing her undergraduate degree to advocating to end world hunger, she is motivated by doing good.
Here’s what she shared.
“I grew up in rural Tennessee with a desire to serve others. This stemmed not only from the experiences of those within my community facing hardships but also the stories of war, poverty, and hunger that affected my family in the Global South.”
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2025
She serves on the public policy team, whose primary objective is to strengthen American support for the World Food Program, the world’s largest humanitarian organization fighting global hunger and recipient of the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize. Her division works to educate Members of Congress and their staffs on WFP’s lifesaving work and mission.
Recently, Cynthia led the launch of the Zero Hunger Generation, World Food Program USA’s youth movement to end global hunger. The program equips young Americans with resources and skills to contribute to WFP’s mission.
“We used proprietary technological innovations to create an interactive experience that enables young people to track their humanitarian progress in real time and earn credit for their work.”
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2024Begins role as a consultant at IBF International
In this role, Cynthia managed projects for the European Union’s Policy and Outreach Partnerships. She also coordinated public diplomacy events focused on strengthening the EU’s transatlantic relationship with the United States.
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2024Graduates from HKS
“I made many lifelong friends and mentors throughout my time at HKS. Learning about data analysis and AI helped me prepare for a tech-forward job market, while courses on advocacy and negotiations equipped me with the skills to amplify underrepresented populations in policy spaces.”
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2023
Cynthia was appointed by U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra as the first member of Gen Z to serve on the council.
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2023Deepens involvement on campus
Outside of the classroom, Cynthia was involved in the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Caucus, Climate, Energy, and Environment PIC, Diplomacy and Foreign Affairs PIC, and the Innovation Lab.
She was also a part of the Harvard Climate Internship Program and received funding from the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs and Salata Institute to attend COP28.
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2022Begins the MPP Program
Cynthia was active on campus at HKS, taking part in various jobs and activities. She was an associate in the Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (now the Office of Belonging, Community, and Connection), where she supported students from underrepresented communities and received the school-wide Award for Excellence in Leadership for DEI initiatives. She was also a teaching assistant for Business and Government Economics with Professor Marcella Alsan and MLD-215: Negotiation and Leadership: Essential Theory and Practice for Enhancing Your Personal Effectiveness with Professor Robert Wilkinson.
Some of her favorite courses included: MLD-257M: Why Won’t You Listen to Me? Understanding People, Conflict, and People in Conflict with Professor Julia Minson, IGA-455: Climate Leadership: Persuasion, Advocacy and Negotiation with Professor Rand Wentworth, DPI-608: Political Communication Breakdown: Causes, Consequences, and Solutions with Professor Matthew Baum, and any class with Professor Cornell William Brooks.
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2022Graduates from The George Washington University with a bachelor’s degree in international affairs and concentration in international economics
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2021
“I decided to apply to HKS because I wanted to gain the policy and quantitative skills necessary to make an impact on preventable issues facing children and young people across the globe.”
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2019Serves as a UNICEF Youth Ambassador during the United Nations (UN) General Assembly
Cynthia focused on the EU’s recommitment to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
