Certifiably engaged

Each week, Sophia Scott ’25 commutes from Cambridge to the Suffolk County Jail in Boston to instruct a high school equivalency class for inmates aspiring to earn their diplomas. It’s a journey she has undertaken since her second year.

This endeavor, which also involves facilitating workshops and teaching public health, allowed the human evolutionary biology major to be among the 67 College seniors who graduated on May 29 with a Civic Engagement certificate. Participants in the program are required to complete three courses — including an engaged scholarship seminar — that offer in-depth perspectives on social issues, a 300-hour practicum, and a final retreat.

“This initiative is very intentionally structured to assist students in contemplating their journey through Harvard and how to maximize their College experience,” stated Travis Lovett, assistant dean of civic engagement and service. “If you possess a civic mindset, it reinforces that goal. The academic experience is fundamentally tied to social issues. It maintains a robust connection between theory and application, which is immensely valuable.”

Scott, residing in Kirkland House, mentioned that the certificate facilitated her connection with fellow classmates passionate about public service.

“For me, civic engagement signifies a deep concern for the communities not only surrounding you but those most in need and contemplating how you can contribute as an individual and collectively to enhance their experiences,” she expressed.

Jana Amin ’25, who was part of the inaugural College cohort to earn the certificate, participated in the Emerging Leaders Program at the Harvard Radcliffe Institute as a mentor for high school students. Every year, Amin has been paired with two students to aid in developing their leadership capabilities and support a social change initiative they can execute in their neighborhoods.

“The exciting aspect of the program is that it allows me to evolve into a leader while helping me understand what it means to be a mentor,” remarked the Near Eastern languages and civilizations major. “It’s a unique role that demands listening, learning, and serving as a resource for the students you mentor.”

Amin chose to enroll in “Oral Histories with History & Literature” with lecturer Lilly Havstad as one of the three courses required for the certificate. The Mather House resident managed to relate the class, which examined the ethics of conducting oral histories, to her senior thesis concerning Palestinian women in Cairo.

Gavin Lindsey ’25 completed his final required course in the spring, selecting Elizabeth City’s GenEd class “U.S. K-12 Schools: Assumptions, Binaries, and Controversies.” The double major in environmental science and public policy and economics intends to apply the knowledge gained in the classroom when he begins his work with Teach for America.

“The course has been outstanding in educating us about the disparities present in education,” remarked Lindsey, who ultimately sees himself pursuing a career in public service within the housing or economic development sectors.

Anthony Miguel ’25 believes civic engagement involves collaborating directly with his community in Santa María Tataltepec, Oaxaca, Mexico. “Often, public service is overlooked or even undervalued in higher education,” Miguel stated. “I feel this initiative is a stepping stone towards emphasizing the significance of engaging with one’s community and bridging the gap between academia and that community.”

The double major in computer science and molecular and cellular biology hopes to return to Mexico to tackle health issues such as diabetes, which ranks as the second leading cause of death among Mexican adults.