Kevin Thaddeus Brown, Jr. is a second-year MPP student from San Francisco, California. Prior to attending HKS, he spent several years working in education program management and social and education policy research. He’s interested in making state and local government processes and services more efficient for internal staff and the public who rely on these services.
What is your favorite thing about your experience at HKS?
I came to graduate school to learn about new topic areas and different perspectives. The students and faculty at HKS are from various backgrounds and have introduced me to new areas of interest and ways of thinking through coursework, casual conversation, and friendship.
How would you describe your community at HKS?
Encouraging, vibrant, and diverse.
What advice do you have for prospective or admitted students considering HKS?
HKS and the broader Harvard community offer a variety of experiences that can be overwhelming if you do not plan before starting classes. Before starting, I would advise you to research centers, programs, and professional groups of interest to you. Doing so will better help you navigate your experience at HKS and allow you to prioritize what’s important to you.
Personally, I have taken advantage of many opportunities at the Center for Public Leadership and the Malcolm Weiner Center for Social Policy. I am also involved with the Black Student Union (BSU) and the First-Generation/Low-Income Caucus (FGLI). I became involved in the BSU to uplift and support the work Black students are passionate about and provide programming that builds community around shared values. Similarly, the FGLI Caucus brings together students who share a common understanding coming to HKS as a first-generation graduate student and/or from a low-income background.
In short, plan ahead and stay open to learning about other interesting opportunities that come your way.
Quick questions
- Favorite class: DPI-678M: Product Management and Society
- Favorite study spot: HKS Library
- Favorite restaurant near campus: Nine Tastes
- One bucket list item you want to accomplish before graduating: An HKS Trek
- Biggest surprise at HKS: There are a number of students who come from first-generation college and/or low-income backgrounds like myself.
- Favorite guest speaker: United States Congressman Hakeem Jeffries
