Economic development is a top policy priority nationally and locally, as public and private sector leaders seek to address economic inequities and increase resilience to economic shocks. With federal stimulus dollars sunsetting, additional federal dollars severed, and states, counties, cities, and towns having to do more with less, economic development organizations continue to evolve to navigate the current moment. 

Economic Development Seminar 

Our flagship annual opportunity is a yearlong, monthly, 6-session seminar for 30 select HKS graduate student applicants who are committed to public service and interested in state and local economic development. Through formal and informal discussions with visiting economic development professionals from across the US, students learn about the field and profession, and discover implications for policymaking and professional public administration in developing and executing state and local economic development strategies. 

 

The seminar format is designed to foster dynamic discussion, the sharing of different perspectives, and active participation by all students.  Each month, students will engage in:  

  • Pre-Readings – 60 minutes per month of readings curated by guest speakers to prepare for their session
  • Breakfast Seminar Sessions – six monthly, 90-min sessions held on a Friday from 9 -10:30 am  
  • Speakers and Students Socials – conversation and connections held the evening prior to each session  
  • Optional Speaker Office Hours and Mentoring – post-session 1:1 time for career advice and connections 

THREE-DAY RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TREK TO NEW HAMPSHIRE – OCT 3 - 5: In three fast-paced and experience-filled days, all seminar participants road trip through rural New Hampshire to meet government and community leaders and learn about economic development from those who understand it best, in the places where they work. The Taubman Center covers travel expenses, including meals and lodging, for all field trips.

BOSTON-BASED FIELD TRIP – MAY 5: At the close of the academic year, meet some of Boston’s own economic development rockstars and go behind the scenes of some of the city’s greatest successes and ongoing problem-solving efforts. 

The Seminar Series is for Harvard Kennedy School students from all degree programs (MPP, MPA, MPA/ID, MC/MPA, Joint & Concurrent) who have an interest in state and local economic development and policy domains operative in community and individual economic outcomes. Students should have an interest in applying what they learn through this series to positively influence state and local government economic development policy and decision making, either serving as, or in collaboration with, public sector leaders. The Taubman Center provides catering for each session and travel expenses for field trips. 

Seminar Sessions:
All at HKS, rooms TBD
Thursdays 5:45 - 7:00 p.m.
Fridays 9:00 - 10:30 a.m.

  • Session 1 - October 23 - 24
  • Session 2 - November 20 - 21  
  • Session 3 - February 5 - 6
  • Session 4 - March 5 - 6
  • Session 5 - March 26 - 27
  • Session 6 - April 16 - 17 

Information Sessions:

  • September 9: 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Room: Wexner Building, W-G02

Important Dates:

  • Sept. 4: Application opens  
  • Sept. 15: Applications due at 9:00 a.m.  
  • Sept. 19: Seminar participants notified  
  • Sept. 26: Cohort Kickoff Breakfast with Rafael Carbonell and Natalie Phillips
  • Oct. 3 - 5: Rural Trek to New Hampshire
  • May 5: 1 – 6 pm: Boston Field Trip 

The focus of this seminar is on domestic U.S. economic development.  Topics include economic development theory and practice, with specific examples and case studies from across the country. Themes include:  

  • The role of government, the private sector, and philanthropic entities in the equitable investment of public resources in state and local economic development
  • Contrasting community development and economic development strategies that different entities employ to achieve economic outcomes
  • Considering scale as a factor of economic development strategy and policy, including at the state, county, regional, and city level  
  • Latest developments in gathering data and determining metrics to measure impact and efficacy
  • Equitable economic development in practice 

Guest speakers are outstanding economic development professionals with experience managing economic development efforts facing a wide variety of local, national, and global circumstances and conditions. A combination of emerging professionals and veteran economic developers who are now leaders in other roles, new speakers each month will share personal insights and experiences, plus current developments and leading-edge innovation related to their session topic.

Past speakers for the Seminar included:

Approximately 30 students will be invited to participate as the 2025-2026 Seminar Cohort.  

Selected applicants will be invited to participate in the seminar contingent upon committing to attending 1) every monthly session, and 2) the 3-day Rural Trek to New Hampshire. Please consider the dates and your availability carefully prior to applying for the seminar.

Participants are expected to complete pre-reading (approximately one hour) prior to each session and actively participate in discussions.  

Apply here.

Applications for the 2025–2026 are now closed.

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