By Sonia Lumley, JSI@HKS 2025 Summer Scholar
Fifteen undergraduates from across the United States spent their summer on the Harvard Kennedy School campus for the second annual Junior Summer Institute (JSI@HKS) as JSI Summer Scholars.
The fully funded, seven-week program prepares rising seniors for graduate studies and careers in public service. JSI is the signature summer offering of the Public Policy and International Affairs (PPIA) Program, which partners with public policy schools across the country to develop the next generation of public leaders. JSI Summer Scholars have gone on to receive merit-based scholarships to top public policy graduate schools.
Sonia Lumley, a political science major at the University of Notre Dame, has turned lived experience into a mission for change. In this Q&A, she shares how JSI@HKS deepened her focus on equity, sharpened her policy tools, and reinforced her belief in making space for every voice at the table.
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What first sparked your interest in public policy? Has JSI@HKS shaped or deepened that interest?
Growing up under California’s social safety net, programs like CalFresh and Medi-Cal gave me a firsthand look at how policy decisions impact the lives of low-income families. I experienced how essential yet flawed these systems can be, and it inspired me to want to work on policy—not just as a recipient, but as a changemaker. JSI@HKS deepened this passion tenfold. Through the program, I gained a deeper clarity around policy areas I care about most: technology, education, and housing. More importantly, I met peers and faculty who helped me think more critically, act more intentionally, and reimagine how I can contribute to systemic change.
Before JSI@HKS, how did you envision the role of policy in driving social change? Has that vision shifted in any way?
Before JSI@HKS, I saw policy as something that was simply there, a framework doing its best to solve problems. Now, I understand policy isn’t just structural; it’s strategic. It’s a tool, a mirror, and sometimes a battleground for values. I now see policy as an intentional force that must be shaped by those closest to the issues. Social change doesn’t happen without it, and it doesn’t happen equitably unless we bring our voices to the table.
What was the most challenging concept or idea you encountered during JSI@HKS, and how did it change your perspective?
Probability in quantitative analysis was definitely the most challenging for me. But by grappling with it, I realized how essential data and evidence are in shaping effective policy. Understanding probability helped me see how policies are justified, or contested, through numbers. It gave me a more critical lens to evaluate policy decisions, especially around risk, allocation, and long-term impact.
Which session, project, or conversation had the greatest impact on you?
The session with the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation was transformative. Professor Bruce Schneier's insights into AI inspired me to center my public policy challenge around AI. I titled my presentation “Ensuring Equity and Integrity in AI-Enhanced Teacher Evaluations,” and it was the first time I felt empowered to combine my lived experience, policy interests, and passion for ethics into one cohesive vision.
What did you learn about yourself as a leader, thinker, or problem-solver?
I learned that leadership is not just about visibility; it’s about purpose. As Notre Dame’s Student Body Vice President, I work to represent others. But JSI@HKS taught me to refine my leadership: to be intentional, data-informed, and systems-minded. I now understand that bringing about change means knowing your community and your policy tools.
“Ask what you can do—not someday, but today. Whether it’s improving your school, organizing your community, or helping one person navigate a complex system, action starts with a question: What can I do to serve?”
If you could take one lesson or insight from JSI@HKS and share it with your community, what would it be?
Ask what you can do—not someday, but today. Whether it’s improving your school, organizing your community, or helping one person navigate a complex system, action starts with a question: What can I do to serve? JSI@HKS reminded me that we each have agency, and it’s our responsibility to use it.
Did someone in your cohort inspire you or challenge your thinking?
Denia Smith inspired me deeply. She radiates joy, leads with empathy, and is grounded in her community. Meeting someone who reflected my own lived experience, who carried herself with brilliance and heart, made me feel less alone and more affirmed. I’ll always be grateful that JSI@HKS brought her into my life!
What advice would you give to another student hoping to participate in JSI@HKS next summer?
Be radically authentic. Your story, your values, and your goals matter. In my application, I leaned into who I was and what I believed in, and that authenticity only grew stronger throughout the program. JSI@HKS doesn’t ask you to be perfect, just honest, driven, and open to growth.
What will you remember most about these past 7 weeks?
I’ll remember the support, the genuine, unwavering support! From professors and TAs to Harvard faculty/staff like Abdoulaye Ba, Cate Lagueux, and Professor Pınar Doğan, I always felt seen and encouraged. JSI@HKS wasn’t just an academic experience; it was a community that believed in me even when I doubted myself.
If you could summarize the biggest personal or professional takeaway from this summer, what would it be?
I have a place in spaces where policy and leadership happen. I used to question whether I belonged in rooms like that, but this summer helped me see that my experiences and perspective matter.
I’ve also learned if there isn’t a seat at the table, it’s okay to bring a folding chair—not to make space just for myself, but to help create space for others too. JSI@HKS gave me the confidence to believe in my voice and reminded me that real change often starts with simply showing up and caring deeply.
Photos by Bethany Versoy and courtesy of Sonia Lumley.
The fully funded, seven-week Junior Summer Institute at Harvard Kennedy School prepares undergraduate students who are rising seniors for graduate studies and careers in public service. Learn more about the program and upcoming application and admission dates.
