2023 Class Day Awards Ceremony

 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.

Award winners:

• Marina Betancur, General Cook, HKS Café

• Carol Finney, MPA/ID Program Director

• Emma Heffern, MPA Programs Director

 Ellen S. Raphael MPP 1982 Award

For a Master in Public Policy student who exemplifies academic achievement and public service. Presented by John Donahue, Raymond Vernon Senior Lecturer in Public Policy.

Award winner: Eleni Neyland MPP 2023

Prize for Outstanding Policy Analysis Exercise

Presented by Pınar Doğan, Senior Lecturer in Public Policy and Faculty Chair, MPP Program and Cate Lagueux, Director, MPP Program.

Award winners:

Stuti Ginodia and Esther Hallsdóttir MPP 2023

"Unlocking Potential: A Roadmap to Reduce Stunting in Sindh, Pakistan"
Advisor: Asim Khwaja
Seminar Leader: Janina Matuszeski

Jason Low and Emma Strother MPP 2023

"Discretionary Grant Competitions: Bolstering New & Diverse Applicants"
Advisor: Christopher Avery
Seminar Leader: Thomas Patterson

 Carr 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 Center for Human Rights Policy.

Award winners:

Christian Allard and Isabella Paternostro MPP 2023

“From Recognition to Action: Policy Responses after U.S. Genocide Determination in Myanmar.”

 Barbara Jordan Award for Women’s Leadership

For a graduating student at Harvard Kennedy School for her/his/their commitment to build community and serve 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.

Award winner: Raie Gessesse MPP 2023

 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 women or gender. Presented by Iris Bohnet, Albert Pratt Professor of Business and Government and the co-director of the Women and Public Policy Program.

Award winners:

Alejandra Davila, Alejandro Garcia, Nesrine Mbarek, Jamie Wu MPP 2023

"Somos Poderosas: Scaling up Sexual and Reproductive Health Education in Colombia"
Advisor: Dara Kay Cohen

 Holly Taylor Sargent Award 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 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.

Award winner: Annie Conderacci MC/MPA 2023

 Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Award for Excellence in Service

For Harvard Kennedy School community members who exemplify outstanding leadership and commitment to increasing HKS diversity, inclusion, and belonging through scholarship, initiatives, programs, and community building. Presented by Robbin Chapman, Associate Dean for Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging.

Award winner: Priscilla Mensah MPP 2023

Manuel C. Carballo Memorial Prize

For exemplary articulation of ideas related to the implementation, management, and evaluation of programs to serve disadvantaged populations in the United States. Presented by Julie Boatright Wilson, Harry S. Kahn Senior Lecturer in Social Policy.

Award winner: Analisa Sorrells MPP 2023

"New York City to Nationwide: Strengthening and Scaling Food Action Boards"

Frederick Fischer Memorial Prize

For an outstanding paper related to a topic on: criminal justice, the criminal legal system, inequality, economic and social mobility, workforce development, labor, poverty, education, immigration, social services, and other social policy issues. Presented by Julie Boatright Wilson, Harry S. Kahn Senior Lecturer in Social Policy.

Award winner: Henry O'Connell MPP 2023

"Room to Grow: Helping San Francisco Families Move Out of Single Room Occupancy (SRO) Hotels"

Taubman Center Urban Prize

For an outstanding paper on a topic related to state or local urban issues. Presented by Rafael Carbonell, Executive Director of the Taubman Center for State and Local Government.

Award winners:

Jake Mills and Bailey Siber MPP 2023

"California's Displaced Oil and Gas Worker Pilot Program: Analysis and Recommendations for the Distribution of a $40 Million Relief Fund"

Susan C. Eaton Memorial Prize

For an outstanding 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, and topics related to disability. Presented by Julie Boatright Wilson, Harry S. Kahn Senior Lecturer in Social Policy.

Award winners:

Elena Bauer and Andy Franklin MPP/MBA 2023

"People and Purpose: Bringing Early/Mid-Career Talent into the U.S. Federal Government"

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. Awarded by the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University. 

Award winner: Catherine Darin MPP 2023

“Improving the Administration of CityFHEPS Housing Vouchers: Grantmaking & Advocacy Opportunities for Robin Hood”
Policy Analysis Exercise prepared for the Robin Hood Foundation
Advisor: John Donahue

 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 Dani Rodrik, Ford Foundation Professor of International Political Economy and Faculty Chair, MPA/ID Program and Carol Finney, Director, MPA/ID Program.

Award winners:

Dmitry Titkov

"Enhancing the Financial Market Credibility of the Reserve Bank of Australia"
Advisor: Jeffrey Frankel
Section Leader: Carmen Reinhart

Paige Taylor

"Increasing Access to Basic Medicines through the Private Sector Supply Chain in Kenya and Tanzania"
Advisor: Mark Fagan
Section Leader: Michael Walton

Enzo Dominguez Prost

"Trade Agreements in the UAE: Signing the Maximum Number of Deep Agreements in the Shortest Possible Time"
Advisor: Robert Lawrence
Section Leader: Anders Jensen

 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 Dani Rodrik, Ford Foundation Professor of International Political Economy and Faculty Chair, MPA/ID Program and Carol Finney, Director, MPA/ID Program.

Award winner: Aws Al-Rawashdeh MPA/ID 2023

2023 Class Gift

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 Douglas W. Elmendorf, Dean and Don K. Price Professor of Public Policy by the Class of 2023 Gift Committee:

• Adefemi Bucknor-Arigbede MC/MPA 2023
• Sara BinMahfooz MC/MPA 2023
• Thomas Hobbs MC/MPA 2023
• Courtney Howard MC/MPA 2023
• William Jensen Diaz MC/MPA 2023
• Katherine A. Kennedy MC/MPA 2023
• Bhawna Prakash MC/MPA 2023
• Dwiti Vikramaditya MC/MPA 2023
   

 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 Douglas W. Elmendorf, Dean and Don K. Price Professor of Public Policy.

Award winners:

• Gabriella Aboulafia MPP 2023

• Arsen Fazlovic MPA 2023

• Bethany Kirkpatrick Wood MPP 2023

• Moira Moynihan MPA 2023

• Abdurrehman Naveed MPP 2023

• Dilrukh Sharipov MPA/MC 2023

William Julius Wilson Award 

For an outstanding research paper written on a topic that William Julius Wilson’s academic research addressed, including race relations, urban poverty and joblessness, segregation, perhaps with particular attention to macro-level factors driving social phenomena. Presented by Julie Boatright Wilson, Harry S. Kahn Senior Lecturer in Social Policy.

Award winner: Clare Fisher MPP 2023

"Youth Violence in Chicago: Addressing Key Drivers"

 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, MPA Programs and Faculty Chair, MC/MPA Summer Program, and Emma Heffern, Director, MPA Programs.

Award winners:

• Linn Bieske MPA 2023

• Larisa María Barreto López MPA 2023

• Krizia Rosario Lopez MPA 2023

• Viet Andy Nguyen MPA 2023

 Lucius N. Littauer Fellows 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, MPA Programs and Faculty Chair, MC/MPA Summer Program, and Emma Heffern, Director, MPA Programs.

Award winners:

• Dave Garden MC/MPA 2023

• Ian Daniel MC/MPA 2023

• Katherine Welch Ford MC/MPA 2023

• Joy Mejilla Lacanienta MC/MPA 2023

• Nancy Nan Lu MC/MPA 2023

• Francella A. Ochillo MC/MPA 2023

• Andrew Keating Paul MC/MPA 2023

• Harssh A. Poddar MC/MPA 2023

• Brett Roland Smyth MC/MPA 2023

• Jody Jones Turner MC/MPA 2023

Advisor of the Year Award

For a faculty of 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.

Award winner: Mark Shepard, Associate 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.

Award winners:

• Ash Carter (In Memoriam), Belfer Professor of Technology and Global Affairs

• Robert Wilkinson, Lecturer in Public Policy and Leadership

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.

Award winners:

• Cory Azmon MPP 2023

• Rachel Jacoby MPP 2023

• Priscilla Mensah MPP 2023

Closing Remarks

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

• Tara Burchmore MPP 2023
• Bethany Kirkpatrick Wood MPP 2023
• Viet Andy Nguyen MPA 2023
• Caroline Sambuco MPA 2023
• Nomko Baatar MPA/ID 2023
• Muriel van de Bilt MPA/ID 2023
• Katherine A. Kennedy MC/MPA 2023
• Gina McLaughlin MC/MPA 2023

Mason Certificate Ceremony Award Winners

Monday, May 22 | John F. Kennedy Memorial Park

The Mason Certificate Ceremony was a joyful celebration to recognize the achievements of the HKS Class of 2023 MC/MPA Mason Fellows. Many graduating students and their families and friends wore traditional dress from their home countries or regions.

Congratulations to our distinguished award winners!

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.

Award winner: Catarina de Macedo Nogueira Lima Correa MC/MPA Mason Fellow 2023

Raymond & Josephine Vernon Award

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

Award winners:

• Chiedza Juru MC/MPA Mason Fellow 2023

• Harssh A. Poddar MC/MPA Mason Fellow 2023

• Brett Roland Smyth MC/MPA Mason Fellow 2023

Eric Yankah Award

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

Award winners:

• Marc Alain Boucicault

• Leonardo Civinelli Tornel da Silveira

• Dana Masalimova

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