Hoping to learn more about the student organizations at Harvard Kennedy School?
With nearly 100 student organizations on campus, Harvard Kennedy School offers students many opportunities to connect with peers who share their interests and backgrounds.
Among them is the Arab Caucus, chaired by Maya El Jawhari MPP 2026. As a first-generation Arab American and college graduate, Maya is focused on social policy, child welfare, and education. Her interest in these areas was shaped when she witnessed the challenges women in her family faced accessing schooling and achieving financial independence in Lebanon. She was inspired to advocate for minority groups’ economic mobility, leading her to work on economic equity research at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities and the U.S. Senate Joint Economic Committee. She has also served as a policy analyst for a Latina-owned lobbying firm and interned with the City of Cambridge’s Office of Early Childhood.
What is your role in the Arab Caucus?
I’m currently serving my second year as chair of the Arab Caucus. When I started at HKS last year, the Arab Caucus almost didn’t exist. After our former chair encouraged new students to join, we grew the group to over 50 students.
As head of the student organization today, I work with other members of the Arab Caucus Board to organize social events, professional development opportunities, and advocacy efforts for Arab students on campus. Events and opportunities range from Arabic film screenings to moderated talks with Arab policy leaders. We strive to make sure that Arab voices are heard and that the school knows we’re here and active.
What role does the Arab Caucus play in your student experience?
The Arab Caucus has helped me find community in a place so far from home. Across the many degree programs offered at HKS, it’s easy to miss out on meeting people. The Arab Caucus has given me the gift of connecting with other students, faculty, staff, and policy leaders who feel connected to the region in one way or another.
Representing the Arab Caucus also signals that Arab policy leaders are working on important issues within and outside the region. Whether you are a student studying Middle Eastern politics or a student working on U.S. education policy, representing Arab identities in all these spaces is essential for ensuring we have policies that recognize Arabs and our multi-faceted identities, too.
“The Arab Caucus has given me the gift of connecting with other students, faculty, staff, and policy leaders who feel connected to the region in one way or another.”
Maya El Jawhari MPP 2026
What has been your favorite part of HKS so far?
My most memorable experience at HKS has been organizing the Arab American Heritage Month celebration at Quorum Call. Hundreds of students came to campus to enjoy cultural music, food, and dance together. For many students, this was their first time being exposed to Arab culture.
As one of the few Arab American students on campus, it was important for me to provide an opportunity to cherish our identity and culture―living between two cultures that are oftentimes thought of as different but have many shared experiences.
What advice do you have for students applying to HKS?
Embrace opportunities where community is celebrated and prioritized. When life and school get busy, we sometimes put community on the back-burner. I encourage you to make a deliberate effort to connect with your home ties in one way or another. Doing so will help get you through your experience here.
Read Next Post
View All Blog Posts
