By Wanjũhĩ Njoroge (MC/MPA 2026)
I genuinely do not think I would have made it to Harvard without CPL. Beyond the honor of admission itself, there was still the very real question of how I was going to afford this journey and navigate such a major life transition. Coming from Kenya, leaving behind everything and everyone familiar, and moving into a completely new environment surrounded by strangers was both exciting and overwhelming.
I am deeply introverted by nature, and adjusting to new spaces has never come easily to me. Like many people arriving at Harvard, I was carrying ambition and excitement, but also uncertainty, homesickness, and moments of self-doubt. CPL became my safe and happy space almost immediately. It was one of the few places where I felt I could truly show up as my authentic self without pressure to perform or fit into a certain mold.
What CPL gave me was far more than financial support or programming. It gave me community. It gave me time to find my footing while reassuring me that I was not navigating this experience alone. There was something deeply comforting about knowing there was a space on campus intentionally designed around care, belonging, and well-being.
What CPL gave me was far more than financial support or programming. It gave me community. It gave me time to find my footing while reassuring me that I was not navigating this experience alone.
One of the moments that meant the most to me during my time at Harvard was hosting my first event on a subject I care deeply about, with support and funding from CPL. My work sits at the intersection of technology, governance, and social impact, so having CPL believe in my ideas and trust me enough to create that space was incredibly affirming. It reminded me that my voice, experiences, and perspectives mattered here too.
CPL also opened doors to opportunities that expanded my learning far beyond the classroom. Through CPL, I had the opportunity to travel to San Francisco on an AI field experience, which exposed me to important conversations around emerging technologies, innovation, and leadership. Engaging in these discussions from an African perspective felt especially meaningful at a time when technology is rapidly reshaping societies across the world.
What struck me most was how unevenly that future is being experienced. While some parts of the world are discussing artificial intelligence in terms of productivity and competitiveness, many communities across Africa are still confronting challenges around digital access, affordability, infrastructure, and representation. The widening digital divide is not only about internet access anymore. It is increasingly about who gets to shape the technologies defining the future, whose realities are reflected in these systems, and who risks being excluded altogether.
Coming from Kenya, I found myself noticing how often Africa was missing from some of these conversations entirely. Discussions about technology and innovation can sometimes overlook the realities of communities that are still navigating deep inequalities and limited digital access. I also found myself thinking a great deal about safety for vulnerable groups in society, particularly children and young women. As artificial intelligence becomes more powerful and accessible, questions around online harm, exploitation, misinformation, and digital safety become impossible to ignore. It reinforced for me the importance of ensuring that conversations about technology are not only centered on innovation and growth, but also on dignity, inclusion, and protection for those most at risk.
More than anything, though, CPL gave me people. As someone who has often felt like a bit of a misfit in society, I found one of the most dependable and genuine communities here. I built friendships that I know will last far beyond Harvard. There is a warmth and intentionality within CPL that is difficult to describe unless you have experienced it yourself. People genuinely care about each other.
CPL also provides meals at many events, which makes a meaningful difference for fellows navigating tight budgets. It may sound small, but it reflects the program’s intentional focus on student well-being and care. My unsolicited advice to future fellows: buy Tupperware early. The leftovers after CPL events are part of the fellowship experience.
Looking back, I honestly do not know who chose whom between me and CPL. What I do know is that applying to CPL was one of the best decisions I made after applying to Harvard itself. It shaped my experience here in ways I could never have anticipated. CPL did not just help me transition into Harvard life. It helped me feel seen, supported, and at home.
CPL Fellowships
The Gleitsman Fellowship is part of CPL's fellowship offerings, which provide tuition support and robust, cohort-based co-curricular programming grounded in servant leadership and experiential learning.
