# Harvard Graduate Council (HGC) Voting Representative The HGC Representative shall serve as HGSE’s voting representative on the HGC. In discussing, and voting on, HGC business, the HGC Representative represents the opinions and attitudes of the HGSE community. As such, the HGC representative is responsible for obtaining input from Student Council members or the broader HGSE community before voting on HGC business, when feasible, including by garnering such input electronically when needed. *(Select 1)* **Ines Bescos Vera (LDIT)** *Why are you interested in serving on Student Council?* I am interested in serving the student council because in only 2 weeks I believe that we need to work towards improving the student experience. Additionally, I think that diversity in the council is crucial when communicating peers' ideas to the HGSE Faculty and staff. *What about your previous experiences positions you to effectively serve on Student Council?* I have been class representative in my previous program as well as university ambassador. **Flora Choi (SLP)** *Why are you interested in serving on Student Council?* Hello everyone! My name is Flora, a second year School Leadership Program student. I would like to serve on the Student Council because I want to be YOUR advocate in addressing issues. My goal is to meet your needs so that you can have the BEST possible experience at HGSE. I care deeply about representation, which is not to pursue my own goals and ideas - but yours. As a part-time remote student, I am fully aware that some of us are very disappointed in how our program has turned out this year. And I hope to change that by relaying your concerns and thinking of innovative ways to enhance our experience academically and socially. If I am elected, I am committed to fight for the rights and interests of all HGSE students and to build a diverse and inclusive community together. Whether you are a part-time, full-time, remote, and residential student, let us be heard! *What about your previous experiences positions you to effectively serve on Student Council?* Being part of school committees previously has given me the skills to communicate effectively, work with members from diverse cultural background, plan events and set up meetings, and community building. I genuinely love listening to people, hear about their problems, and care about their well-being. I am open to new ideas for improvement, and I understand the importance of confidentiality. I will do my best to engage with you and seek for your input on crucial decisions because your voice matters. Thank you for your consideration. Together, we can work together to envision our ideal HGSE! **Kanan Dubal (EPA)** *Why are you interested in serving on Student Council?* I want to contribute formally in effectively building the new programs and provide a platform for collective students voices. I believe opinions of students body in formal and informal settings can be a powerful tool and I strongly believe in making student voices heard thereby contributing to a fulfilling year at HGSE. More personally, I am social and affable and would love to make this year amazing for other students in my class and cohort. I have an itch in my activist bones and I would use this opportunity very well. *What about your previous experiences positions you to effectively serve on Student Council?* I have not served on the school level council before, but I have held positions of leadership at the department level. I have experience in managing budgets, organizing/creating events and have worked with large groups of volunteers. **Andrew Epifanio (EPA)** *Why are you interested in serving on Student Council?* How we listen to others is a way in which we honor their humanity. As an HGSE Student Council representative, I aim to listen to understand the diverse perspectives of my peers and synthesize those perspectives into advocacy that leads to more effective policies. The experiences students have at the school will last a lifetime, and I understand the responsibility that comes with influencing policies which affect those experiences. As an aspiring policymaker, I hope to humbly serve my HGSE peers and honor the richness of their collective experiences. *What about your previous experiences positions you to effectively serve on Student Council?* The entirety of my professional history is one of public service. From my two years of civilian national service in Washington, D.C. with AmeriCorps to my time as staff co-chair of the campus-wide StanfordVotes initiative at Stanford University, I have been firmly committed to amplifying the voices of others and advancing issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). While at Stanford, I was also a member of, and rotational facilitator for, a DEI affinity group examining and challenging white privilege in order to advance equity and inclusion. Finally, my three years of professional experience in higher education equips me to skillfully navigate administrative bureaucracy while representing the voices of my peers. **Erica HyoWan Jang (SSP)** *Why are you interested in serving on Student Council?* As a returning part-time virtual student, I witnessed what my classmates were going through and how the school responded last year. The global situation may have slightly recovered now compared to the previous year and schools are opening up accordingly, but we can tell that it can not be the same as the time before the pandemic. I am grateful to the school for the effort of making our learning space safe and professional. However, while we are heading to the post-pandemic era, different systems and administrations can be necessary for embracing both in-person and virtual students. I would like to participate in ongoing deliberation for improving students' academic, social, and emotional experiences here at HGSE and within the whole of Harvard, on behalf of part-time, virtual, international, female students. By serving on the Student Council, I believe that I will have more chances to speak up for my peers and deliver their voices which I've been hearing from both in-person and virtual students. Moreover, actively participating in Student Council activities will allow me to develop diverse skills that I would need after graduation. I want to build great experiences by contributing to the school and help my colleagues through communication and collaboration. It will be an honor to have the chance to serve on the Students Council as a part of the last cohort in the Specialized Studies Program. *What about your previous experiences positions you to effectively serve on Student Council?* I have served as a class president many times in my early ages, and I loved working for my classmates. I have volunteer experience as a Public Relations Committee Chair at my Rotary club, where communication was essential for the job. I served as a concertmaster of orchestras on three continents, leading and guiding musicians to enhance the orchestral sound, frequently mediating arguments between my team and conductors when there were discords. My years-long living abroad experiences in 6 countries because of studies and careers gave me a broader outlook and a deeper understanding of diverse cultures with unique insights into real-world issues. In addition, being a nonprofit CEO and aspiring social entrepreneur who wishes to contribute to reducing inequality worldwide through education will surely share the school and peers' perspectives. I think of myself as a bridge-builder who connects people, initiates relationships, and shares ideas and resources through my communication skills. If I could serve on the Student Council, I would contribute to the student body based upon my multicultural experience, artistic and philanthropic background, and communication skills. Thank you for your time and consideration. **Parisa Loftis Hamm (EPA)** *Why are you interested in serving on Student Council?* I aim to advocate for my peers by uplifting student voices. This is why I am running for the Student Advocacy and Issues Committee. As someone who has moved around frequently, I have often had to start anew which can be lonely at times. My way to overcome this is to integrate myself into the community. I have come to deeply value opportunities to be a part of a community where I feel heard and I feel that I have a space. Having a sense of belonging in a community is imperative, especially during this time. I intend to serve the HGSE community by amplifying student voices and ensuring that students have a sense of belonging within the community. This upcoming academic year will have unique challenges, ones which we will overcome as a community. After reflecting on my why for running for student council, there are a few initiatives I intend to pursue if elected into student council inspired by my experiences, observations, and conversations with other students. By no means is this an exhaustive list. These initiatives include: -Bridging a sense of community for those attending HGSE in-person and online. -Supporting programming that promotes student wellness. -Providing opportunities for student feedback to ensure that student voices are heard. -Working with staff and faculty to effectively communicate and share information. -Collaborating with other graduate schools to give HGSE students an opportunity to meet people in different disciplines. -Advocating for accessible events and programming which include family friendly events or support options for students with children. Finally, a personal initiative of mine if elected is to continue to actively listen. I genuinely want to know how your experience is going and I value your input. Whether we meet over Zoom or in-person, I value your voice and insight. Special thanks and credits to those who have shared what they are looking for from the student council and what your hopes are for the year. If we have not had an opportunity to talk, I hope to meet you soon and hear your voice. *What about your previous experiences positions you to effectively serve on Student Council?* Prior to HGSE, I served on a spouses' organization at a military base as the chair of membership and hospitality. My initiative in this position was to create an inclusive community. As a military spouse, I have had to frequently start anew and at times entering a new community can be overwhelming and isolating. However, I have been fortunate to have that one person reach out to me and help me find a sense of belonging in the community. I hope to be that person for my peers in the HGSE community. I was also a teacher, where I worked to ensure that students were a part of an inclusive classroom so that they could thrive. Additionally, I have served on multiple leadership boards and teams. As a part of the Lean In Los Angeles leadership team, I supported outreach, helped train small group facilitators, and assisted in planning networking events. As an undergraduate, I held multiple leadership roles in different capacities which include: -President of a student mental health awareness organization -Secretary of a public relations organization -Resident Housing Association - Floor senator -President of the theatre honors society The most valuable lesson I have learned about leadership from these experiences is the importance of active listening. I am running to amplify your voice. I will support you in making this upcoming academic year memorable. **Wonderly Peralta (LDIT)** *Why are you interested in serving on Student Council?* I am interested in serving on Student Council because I want to serve my fellow classmates as a strong advocate for their education at HGSE. Serving on Student Council is important for me because I can make sure the students' voices are heard and validated. Serving on Student Council can allow me to collaborate with other students in doing good for HGSE. *What about your previous experiences positions you to effectively serve on Student Council?* My previous experiences as a math teacher and student leadership/student activities teacher have allowed me to with the Associated Student Body student officers and students to being about exciting change in student body activities and student life at my school. Another experience that I have is a teacher union site representative at my school site, LeyVa Middle School. I was an advocate for teachers at Evergreen Teachers Association in San Jose, California. A position I also served in as a California Teachers Association (CTA) Representative in National Education Association (NEA) Representative Assembly. The NEA Representative Assembly represents all 50 states in strong advocacy for teachers and students. I have served as an Evergreen Teachers Association (ETA) Representative and a CTA Representative for a total of 7 years. **Jasmine Stecker (ELOE)** *Why are you interested in serving on Student Council?* Representation is an issue that is at the heart of my goals as an EdM student. In my HGSE statement of purpose, I wrote "I truly believe equitable support and representation are two key factors at the heart of creating an environment in which all students can thrive academically and personally." I believe joining HGSE's Student Council will be an opportunity to turn my beliefs into action. As a Student Council member I will seek out my HGSE colleagues who are in need of support, listen to my colleagues' voices and stories, collaborate with my colleagues to find solutions, and make solutions into actions towards change. Even though we have only been at HGSE for a few weeks, I've learned so much from my fellow students and I am eager to give back to our community by serving on Student Council. *What about your previous experiences positions you to effectively serve on Student Council?* Harvard politics and administrative systems are a conundrum. I know this because I have been working at Harvard for years. I've witnessed Student Council members at Harvard Medical School balance the needs of their constituents with the inflexibility of the HMS administration. I've also seen how beautifully students and administration can work together when both sides approach each other with respect and motivation to make positive change. I've had to practice this balance in my own work at HMS as well, and I'm confident that my skills in this area can help HGSE's Student Council as it collaborates with HGSE administration on the issues of community, academics, and policies. In addition to knowing how to play the Harvard game, I serve on the Black Staff Caucus at HMS as the Communications Committee Chair and previously served on the City of Newton, Mass Youth Commission Advisory Board, both of which have mechanics and goals similar to HGSE's Student Council. These experiences will allow me to comfortably navigate the logistics of serving on Student Council, so I can help the group focus strongly on the needs of HGSE students.