Class of 2026 Awards Ceremony

Awards Ceremony Program

Introduction and Welcome

Sue Williamson Spirit Award

For a Harvard Kennedy School staff member who significantly enhances the student experience, as nominated by the graduating class. Presented by the Class Marshals.

• Daniel Amado, Custodian
• Stacey Hannell, Faculty Assistant
• Nicole Plummer, Security Supervisor
• Suzanne Shende, Associate Director, MPA Programs; Director of the Edward S. Mason Program

Ellen S. Raphael MPP 1982 Award

For a Master in Public Policy student who exemplifies academic achievement and public service. Presented by Cate Monahan, Director, MPP Program.

• Aureo Mesquita MPP 2026

Prize for Outstanding Policy Analysis Exercise

Presented by Christopher Norio Avery, Roy E. Larsen Professor of Public Policy and MPP Program Faculty Chair and Cate Monahan, Director, MPP Program.

• Luc Hillion MPP 2026, Nils Olsen MPP/MBA 2026, and Dan Smith MPP 2026
  PAE Title: "Closing the Loop: Improving Innovation Feedback Between Soldiers, Startups, & Strategy"

Carr-Ryan Center Prize for Human Rights

For outstanding Policy Analysis Exercises or Second Year Policy Analyses in Human Rights. Presented by Mathias Risse, Berthold Beitz Professor in Human Rights, Global Affairs, and Philosophy; and Faculty Director of the Carr-Ryan Center for Human Rights.

• Nathalie Bussemaker MPP 2026
  PAE Title: "Safe, Dignified, Voluntary, Informed, and Durable? Assessing the Experiences of Syrian Refugees Returning from Lebanon After Assad"

Best Paper on Housing by a Master's Student

For exemplary work on a housing-related topic by a master's degree student from any of Harvard’s graduate programs and schools. Presented by David Luberoff, Director of Fellowships and Events at the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies.

• Juan Sebastián Rodríguez León MPA/ID 2026
  SYPA Title: "A Comprehensive Revision to Colombian Policy Tools for Improving Housing Conditions”

Barbara Jordan Award for Women’s Leadership

For a graduating student at Harvard Kennedy School who demonstrates an outstanding commitment to building community and serves as a role model for women aspiring to be leaders. Presented by Iris Bohnet, Albert Pratt Professor of Business and Government and the co-director of the Women and Public Policy Program.

• Kris Li MPP 2026

Jane Mansbridge Research Award

For an outstanding research paper—Policy Analysis Exercise, Second Year Policy Analysis, or others—whose analysis of an organization or topic is focused on gender and public policy. Presented by Iris Bohnet, Albert Pratt Professor of Business and Government and the co-director of the Women and Public Policy Program.

• Andrea Salazar Díaz MPA/ID 2026 and Stephanie Wu MPA/ID
  SYPA Title: "Rethinking Masculinity Norms in India"

Holly Taylor Sargent Prize for Women’s Advancement

For a member of the Harvard Kennedy School community (faculty, staff, or student) who has done the most to advance the opportunities, situation, and status of women or gender equity within the HKS community. Presented by Iris Bohnet, Albert Pratt Professor of Business and Government and the co-director of the Women and Public Policy Program.

• Carina Stone MPP 2026

The Office of Belonging, Community, and Connection Award for Excellence in Service

For a member For a member of the Harvard Kennedy School community who embodies the institutional mission, by going above and beyond as an agent of change, and consistently working to provide a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for all. Presented by Ranya Brooks, Director, Office of Belonging, Community, and Connection. 

• Carina Stone MPP 2026

Manuel C. Carballo Memorial Prize

For the exemplary articulation of ideas related to the implementation, management, and evaluation of programs that serve disadvantaged populations in the United States. Presented by Gordon Hanson, Peter Wertheim Professor in Urban Policy and Academic Dean for Strategy and Engagement.

• Sadie Emch MPP 2026, Olivia Mallory MPP 2026), and Dhanya Nageswaran MPP 2026
  PAE Title: "From Replication to Results: Measuring WRAPS' Role in Rebuilding the Appalachian Economy"

Frederick Fischer Memorial Prize

For an outstanding research paper related to a topic on criminal justice and the criminal legal system, inequality, economic and social mobility, economics of industrial policy, regional economic topics, workforce development, labor, poverty, education, immigration, social services, or other social policy issues. Presented by Gordon Hanson, Peter Wertheim Professor in Urban Policy and Academic Dean for Strategy and Engagement.

• Rod Moshtagi MPP 2026
  PAE Title: "Building Canada's Early Warning and Response System for AI Job Displacement"

Susan C. Eaton Memorial Prize

For an outstanding research paper related to a topic on human resources management, health care management, health care quality, union leadership, fair wage policy, health care disparities, work/family policy, gender equity, elder care and aging, or topics related to disability. Presented by Gordon Hanson, Peter Wertheim Professor in Urban Policy and Academic Dean for Strategy and Engagement.

• Chet Agni MPP 2026, Christina Iruela Lane MPP 2026, Julia Long MPP 2026, and Eli Melendrez MPP 2026
  PAE Title: "Fifty States, One Union: State-Level Labor Advocacy Responses to 2025 Federal Healthcare Cuts"

William Julius Wilson Research Award

For an outstanding research paper written on a topic that William Julius Wilson’s academic research addressed, including racial inequality, poverty, unemployment, and segregation. Presented by Gordon Hanson, Peter Wertheim Professor in Urban Policy and Academic Dean for Strategy and Engagement.

• Avinash Moorthy PhD in Public Policy 2026
  Project: "The Defender on the Move: Black Newspapers and the Great Migration"

Taubman Center Urban Prize

For an outstanding paper on a topic related to state or local urban issues. Presented by Rafael Carbonell, Executive Director, Taubman Center for State and Local Government; Adjunct Lecturer in Public Policy.

• Kimberli Davila MPP 2026, Sebastian Fernandez MPP 2026, Navid Goodarzi MPP 2026
  PAE Title: "A New Face for Los Angeles: Preparing for LA County’s First Elected Executive"

Prize for Outstanding Second Year Policy Analysis

The Second Year Policy Analysis is an important part of the MPA/ID Program, a capstone project, in which students choose a real-world policy problem to address through a final paper. Presented by Eliana La Ferrara, Faculty Chair, MPA/ID Program and Sarah Olia, Director, MPA/ID Program.

• Zander Cowan MPA/ID 2026 and Cassandra Torres Mason MPA/ID 2026
  SYPA Title: "Moving Beyond the Hype: Unlocking Brazil’s Rare Earth Potential"
   
• Ishaan Bansal MPA/ID 2026 and Kailash Raj Pandey MPA/ID 2026
  SYPA Title: "Stuck in a Low-Lending Trap: Can AI Fix Nepal's Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Credit Allocation?"
   
• Andrea Salazar Díaz MPA/ID 2026 and Stephanie Wu MPA/ID 2026
  SYPA Title: "Rethinking Masculinity Norms in India"

Raymond Vernon Award for Commitment to International Development

For a graduating MPA/ID student who best personifies the values of the program, namely dedication to international development, good citizenship, academic excellence, and strong potential to lead and contribute to the field. Presented by Eliana La Ferrara, Faculty Chair, MPA/ID Program and Sarah Olia, Director, MPA/ID Program.

• Anna Christina Thorsheim MPA/ID 2026

2026 Graduating Class Campaign

For future students who need financial support to make their Harvard Kennedy School education possible. Total dollars and donors from the campaign will be announced. Presented to Jeremy Weinstein, Dean and Don K. Price Professor of Public Policy, by the Class of 2026 Gift Committee and Matching Gift Committee.

• Sunny Jiang MPP 2026
• Sungtaek Oh MPP 2026  
• Chahat Shah MC/MPA Mason Fellow 2026

Donald K. Price Award

For MPA students who embody the strengths of the program—through academic excellence, community-building, or demonstrations of leadership within the class. Presented by Kessley Hong, Senior Lecturer in Public Policy and Faculty Chair of MPA Programs and the Mid-Career MPA Summer Program, and Emma Heffern, Director, MPA Programs.

• Caroline Chen MPA 2026
• Cameron Scott Davis MPA 2026
• Yamini Saxena MPA 2026

Lucius N. Littauer Award

For MC/MPA students who embody the strengths of the program—through academic excellence, community-building, or demonstrations of leadership within the class. Presented by Kessley Hong, Senior Lecturer in Public Policy and Faculty Chair of MPA Programs and the Mid-Career MPA Summer Program, and Emma Heffern, Director, MPA Programs.

• Hong-Hanh Thi Chu MC/MPA 2026
• Hong Lan Gao MC/MPA 2026
• Andree Celeste Herbert MC/MPA 2026
• Hanul Park MC/MPA Mason Fellow 2026
• Brian Frederick Reynolds MC/MPA 2026
• Marle Van Niekerk MC/MPA 2026
• Amelia Bliss VanderLaan MC/MPA 2026
• Doireann Walsh MC/MPA 2026

Advisor of the Year Award

For a faculty or staff member who made a substantial impact on the student experience through formal or informal advice, as nominated by the graduating class. Presented by Melissa Wojciechowski St. John, Senior Director of Student Services.

• Eliana La Ferrara, Professor of Public Policy

Manuel C. Carballo Award for Excellence in Teaching

For an instructor who best exemplifies, demonstrates, and inspires excellence through teaching, as nominated by the graduating class. Presented by the Class Marshals.

• David King, Senior Lecturer in Public Policy

Dean’s Award for Excellence in Student Teaching

For outstanding teaching fellows, course coaches, and course assistants, as nominated by the student body. Presented by Jeremy Weinstein, Dean and Don K. Price Professor of Public Policy.

• Nho Minh Dinh MPP 2026
• Jacob Jameson PhD candidate in Health Policy
• Chris Li PhD candidate in Biological and Biomedical Sciences
• Zoe Muse-Markle MPP 2026
• Eldayag Mustafayev MPA/ID 2026
• Stephanie Wu MPA/ID 2026

Robert F. Kennedy Award for Excellence in Public Service

For a graduating student whose commitment, activities, and contributions to public service are extraordinary. Presented by Debbie Isaacson, Senior Associate Dean for Degree Programs and Student Affairs.

• Ruhee Wadhwania MPP 2026

Closing Remarks

Melissa Wojciechowski St. John, Senior Director of Student Services, and Class Marshals

Additional Awards

Mason Certificate Ceremony

Tuesday, May 26 | John F. Kennedy Jr. Forum

The Mason Certificate Ceremony was a joyful celebration to recognize the achievements of the HKS Class of 2026 MC/MPA Edward S. Mason Fellows. Many graduating students and their families and friends wore traditional dress from their home countries or regions.

Josephine S. Vernon Award

For an outstanding MC/MPA Mason Fellow who embodies the spirit and mission of the Edward S. Mason Program at Harvard Kennedy School.

• Uma Kesani MC/MPA Mason Fellow 2026

Raymond & Josephine Vernon Award

For academic distinction and distinguished contribution to the Edward S. Mason Program and Harvard Kennedy School.

• Madhukar Reddy Banuri MC/MPA Mason Fellow 2026
• Krizia Delgado Fernandez MC/MPA Mason Fellow 2026
• Hanul Park MC/MPA Mason Fellow 2026

Eric Yankah Award

For distinguished contribution to the Edward S. Mason Program and Harvard Kennedy School.

• Aurangzeb Badini MC/MPA Mason Fellow 2026
• Sahar Atif Ibrahim MC/MPA Mason Fellow 2026
• Rose Keffas MC/MPA Mason Fellow 2026

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