Interested in learning more about HKS's student organizations?
By Valerie Davis
The HKS student organization fair brings incoming and returning students together to learn about organizations they can get involved with outside the classroom, ranging across cultures, causes, and interests.
This year, nearly 90 groups welcomed students to their tables set up in the JFK Jr. Forum, Wexner Commons, and HKS Café.
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The beginning of the academic year at HKS marks not only a return to classes but also the renewal of campus life. Each September, the HKS student organization fair welcomes students back to campus with opportunities to connect, collaborate, and build community. More than an introduction to clubs and initiatives, the fair is a celebration of community, offering students a space to build relationships, share interests, and contribute to the life of the School.
Associate Director of Student Services Jane Finn-Foley helps organize the event logistics, ensuring that student organizations are signed up for the event and assigned a table. New and returning student organizations participate in the fair every year.
“The student org fair is an opportunity for students across degree programs to connect over shared interests, whether they are academic or professional, or related to sports and culture,” Finn-Foley says. “With nearly 100 student organizations, there really is a student group for everyone, helping them build their HKS community and strengthen their sense of belonging.”
Student org members like to make themselves stand out at the fair in their own way. Traditionally, the Rowing Club holds a giant oar. The Peruvian Caucus perches an inflatable alpaca on their table. An emotional support dog joins the Mental Health and Drug Policy Caucus.
Health Policy Professional Interest Council (PIC) co-chair Liam Chai MPP 2026 reflects on his involvement in his student org as he set up his table in the JFK Jr. Forum ahead of the event.
“A group of my friends started the Health Policy PIC last year,” Chai says. “We wanted to bring members of the Harvard community together and have them engage in conversations about important issues in the healthcare world.”
Chai notes some of the speakers hosted by the Health Policy PIC included American scientist and advocate for global health Peter Hotez, former director for Centers for Disease Control Rochelle Walensky, and former Commissioner of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Ashwin Vasan.
“These ‘big hitters’ were really special to learn from,” Chai adds. “We often partner with the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health to bring in fellows to speak with us—we’re working with them to plan more events this year.”
Chai, who is also involved with the Business and Government PIC, helped manage the second table, too.
Arab Caucus chair Maya El Jawhari MPP 2026 decided to get involved with the caucus after last year’s student org fair.
“There aren’t many Arab students at HKS, so I was excited to see people at the table last year,” El Jawhari says. “I walked up to the students and we ended up having a great conversation. I told them about my identity as an Arab American and how I wanted to become more involved with my culture at HKS.”
El Jawhari took the helm to lead the caucus this year after its previous leadership team graduated in May.
“It’s important for the caucus to gather—at dinner, in a meeting, in between classes—so we can foster community at HKS,” she adds. “Whether members are Arab American or Arab international students, all of us feel more at home when we are together.”
Armed Forces Committee co-chair Nils Olsen MPP 2026—who is also earning his MBA at Harvard Business School—echoed a similar sentiment. The Armed Forces Committee is open to all: students in uniform who may have never met other service members outside the field, international students, or those who simply want to learn about foreign policy to stay connected.
“Wherever someone falls on the ideological spectrum, whatever their nationality is, we encourage them to come to a meeting,” Olsen says. “Whether they've never been in the military or have 30 years of experience, their perspectives matter.”
The JFK Jr. Forum, Wexner Commons, and HKS Café were still buzzing even as the event wrapped up.
“Looking at the groups' posters highlighting the events and activities they have planned allowed everyone to learn about the policy areas that matter most to our students this year,” Finn-Foley reflects. “It was an exciting preview of the experiences to come for our students outside the classroom.”
Photos by Steph Stevens
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