Commencement 2021

The Harvard Graduate School of Education convened online on Thursday, May 27, to celebrate and award degrees to the Class of 2021. Access all of our Commencement coverage here — including a slideshow of this unique celebration and stories about our alumni, faculty, and student award winners.

Congratulations to the Class of 2021!

Commencement Stories

HGSE Celebrates Commencement 2021

By Emily Boudreau 05/27/2021 3:22 PM EDT

HGSE's worldwide community came together — virtually — to celebrate the accomplishments of 670 graduating students from 62 countries.

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Let's Make This Year a Turning Point

By Bridget Terry Long 05/27/2021 1:04 PM EDT

Commencement 2021: The prepared address of Dean Bridget Terry Long.

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“Did This Actually Happen?”

By Carina Traub 05/27/2021 12:40 PM EDT

The prepared remarks of Commencement student speaker Carina Traub.

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Meet Ph.D. Marshal Catherine Asher

By Emily Boudreau 05/26/2021 4:57 PM EDT

How we measure and understand program impacts in education.

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Meet Ed.D. Marshal Preeya Pandya Mbekeani

By Gianna Cacciatore 05/26/2021 4:40 PM EDT

Exploring the impact of income levels on education decisions.

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Changing the Paradigm of Girls Education

By Gianna Cacciatore 05/26/2021 12:20 PM EDT

Lisa Cenca, Ed.M.'21, recipient of the Phyllis Strimling Award, is a leader in designing enriching educational opportunities for girls.

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Teaching Toward Joy: Catherine Pitcher, IEP'21

By News editor 05/25/2021 3:51 PM EDT

The Intellectual Contribution Award recipient for International Education Policy reflects on her time at HGSE and looks toward the future.

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Shaping Social Change: Kassie Infante, SSP'21

By News editor 05/24/2021 3:38 PM EDT

The Intellectual Contribution Award recipient for Specialized Studies reflects on her time at HGSE and looks toward the future.

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Crossing the Digital Threshold: Vincent Bish, TIE'21

By News editor 05/21/2021 3:21 PM EDT

The Intellectual Contribution Award recipient for Technology, Innovation, and Education reflects on his time at HGSE and looks toward the future.

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Reform, Reorganize, and Regenerate: Salina Villegas, PSP'21

By News editor 05/20/2021 3:20 PM EDT

The Intellectual Contribution Award recipient for Prevention Science and Practice reflects on her time at HGSE and looks toward the future.

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Teaching with the Brain and Heart in Mind: Caitlin Vanderberg, MBE'21

By News editor 05/19/2021 3:08 PM EDT

The Intellectual Contribution Award recipient for Mind, Brain, and Education reflects on her time at HGSE and looks toward the future.

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Future Possibilities: Yesenia Perez, AIE'21

By News editor 05/18/2021 4:09 PM EDT

The Intellectual Contribution Award recipient for Arts in Education reflects on her time at HGSE and looks toward the future.

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In Pursuit of Joy and Magic: Jo Persad, L&T'21

By News editor 05/17/2021 2:33 PM EDT

The Intellectual Contribution Award recipient for Learning and Teaching reflects on her time at HGSE and looks toward the future.

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Informing and Uplifting: Dustin Liu, HEP'21

By News editor 05/14/2021 4:02 PM EDT

The Intellectual Contribution Award recipient for Higher Education reflects on his time at HGSE and looks toward the future.

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Centering Student Stories: Emily Bond, L&L'21

By News editor 05/13/2021 3:11 PM EDT

The Intellectual Contribution Award recipient for Language and Literacy reflects on her time at HGSE and looks toward the future.

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An Inspiring Force: Constance Gist, EPM'21

By News editor 05/12/2021 3:59 PM EDT

The Intellectual Contribution Award recipient for Education Policy and Management reflects on her time at HGSE and looks toward the future.

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The Power of Collective Action, Jenny Portillo, SLP'21

By News editor 05/11/2021 4:10 PM EDT

The Intellectual Contribution Award recipient for School Leadership reflects on her time at HGSE and looks toward the future.

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Leading with Humanity, Elena Milius, HDP'21

By News editor 05/10/2021 3:25 PM EDT

The Intellectual Contribution Award recipient for Human Development and Psychology reflects on her time at HGSE and looks toward the future.

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Celebrating the 2021 Commencement Award Recipients

By News editor 05/06/2021 3:13 PM EDT

HGSE's continues tradition of honoring student leadership and dedication with annual Intellectual Contribution, Marshal, and Strimling Awards.

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The Upside of Defending Online

By Gianna Cacciatore 05/04/2021 2:34 PM EDT

Active chat room compliments. Family and friends from around the world "in the room." The ability to record the session. This year's doctoral students find the positives in defending dissertations on Zoom.

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