Every student’s path to Harvard Kennedy School is unique. 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 how their time at HKS has shaped their careers and lives.
A lifelong learner, SaMee Harden MC/MPA 2024 wished to continue surrounding herself with other change-makers in public service and knew that Harvard Kennedy School was the right place to do so.
Here’s what she shared.
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“My time at HKS refined my skills, broadened my perspective, and reinforced my commitment to using law and policy as catalysts for opportunity, democracy, and meaningful progress.”
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2024Begins working as lead counsel at Airbnb
In her role at Airbnb, SaMee counsels cross-functional business partners on legal matters involving trust, fraud, safety, and global crisis matters.
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2024Graduates from HKS
“HKS provided me with a comprehensive academic foundation, a dynamic leadership network, and hands-on experiences that bridged theory with real-world impact in policymaking, global affairs, and social change.”
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2023
At HKS, SaMee was actively involved in student-led initiatives that aligned with her passion for creating opportunities, governance, and public service. As a fully funded Equity Fellow at the Center for Public Leadership, she explored critical issues in leadership development, philanthropy, and systemic change. Her work emphasized the role of leaders in addressing gaps in policy and philanthropy.
“One of the most impactful experiences of my fellowship was our field study in New Mexico, where we examined the challenges facing the Navajo Nation. This immersive experience allowed us to engage directly with Navajo leaders on top-of-mind policy issues, including educational access, governance and budgeting, and environmental justice.”
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2023
“My time at HKS was a transformative period that deepened my leadership capacity, expanded my policy expertise, and strengthened my commitment to public service. Through rigorous coursework, immersive student engagement, and hands-on leadership opportunities, I developed critical tools to drive meaningful change and navigate complex policy challenges.”
SaMee was intentional in selecting courses that aligned with her interests in public policy, leadership, governance, and social impact. Some of the most influential courses she took include MLD-111: Critical Pathways: Leadership Dilemmas in U.S. Transportation taught by former U.S. Secretary of Transportation and Director of the Center for Public Leadership Anthony Foxx and IGA-538: Technology, Privacy, and the Trans-National Nature of the Internet taught by Professor James Waldo, which offered a critical examination of global data privacy, cybersecurity, and challenges shaping the digital landscape.
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2022Applies to the Mid-Career Master in Public Administration (MC/MPA) Program at Harvard Kennedy School
Three of SaMee’s White House Fellow colleagues were HKS alumni. Throughout their time together, they shared insights about how their experiences at HKS shaped their leadership journeys, broadened their perspectives on public service, and equipped them with the tools to drive meaningful change.
“Their mentorship and encouragement inspired me to apply to HKS to further develop my leadership capacity, enhance my strategic and policy acumen, and deepen my commitment to serving the public good. Through their guidance, I saw HKS not just as an academic institution, but as a transformative space where I could refine my skills, engage with a global network of change-makers, and fortify my dedication to impactful leadership.”
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2021
Known as one of America’s most prestigious fellowship for leadership development and public service, the White House Fellowship promotes active citizenship by offering Fellows first-hand experience working in the highest levels of the federal government.
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2020Begins working as a data privacy and public policy manager at Meta
In this role, SaMee worked on stakeholder management, risk management, and organizational leadership.
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2016Works as an assistant United States attorney for the Southern District of Ohio and Southern District of Georgia
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2010Serves as a judicial law clerk for various state and federal judges
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2010Graduates from Northwestern Pritzker School of Law
SaMee was fortunate to receive a substantial scholarship from Northwestern Pritzker School of Law. There, she found an incredible community of legal mentors—faculty, staff, and fellow students alike—many of whom she is still connected to today.
“My world as a future lawyer truly began to blossom during my time at Northwestern, given substantial guidance and unwavering support. What started as an unexpected pivot became a powerful foundation for my career in justice and service.”
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2006Graduates from American University with a master’s degree in international communication
While pursuing her master’s degree at American University, SaMee initially envisioned a future in the foreign service, building on her Fulbright Fellowship and David L. Boren Scholarship. During a class on international law, she had a chance conversation with a professor who encouraged her to consider law school, a path she hadn’t previously imagined.
“My professor’s encouragement, paired with my growing interest in the law’s global and domestic impact, sparked a realization: pursuing a legal education was not only possible, but it was the direction I was meant to follow.”
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2003Receives a Fulbright Fellowship in South Korea
“Winning the Fulbright Scholarship was an unexpected and life-changing honor—one that opened the door to meaningful cultural exchange and global learning. The experience not only broadened my worldview but deepened my commitment to advancing cross-cultural understanding through education, dialogue, and community connection.”
Fueled by her passion for understanding diverse perspectives, she lived with a homestay family, enrolled in a Korean language course at a local university in Pusan, and even took Tae Kwon Do classes to fully immerse herself in the culture.
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2003Graduates from the University of Louisville with a bachelor’s degree in communications
Leaving her hometown in western Kentucky to attend the University of Louisville was a defining step in her journey. There, she found a close-knit community of mentors who saw her potential and nurtured it—most notably Dr. LunDeana Thomas, former University of Louisville professor and founder of the African-American Theatre Program; Dr. Yvonne Jones, an author and anthropologist who deepened SaMee’s intellectual curiosity; and Dr. Mordean Taylor-Archer, then vice provost for diversity and international affairs, who always found resources to support SaMee’s growth.
“Drs. Thomas and Jones played a key role in widening my lens to even imagine applying for a Fulbright Scholarship. Through their encouragement and support, I crafted a successful application that explored my journey from Kentucky to South Korea—using academics and the arts as the vehicles that shaped my worldview.”
