Candidates for Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) Student Government pledged increased support for international students during a Wednesday debate, citing ongoing concerns over US visa policies under the Trump administration, according to a report by Harvard Crimson.
With HKS’s student body comprising 59% international students, the school is particularly vulnerable to changes affecting visas and immigration. Presidential candidates Jerwin Tiu and Harry Park emphasized that the school did not provide sufficient support for international students in the spring and outlined plans to address these gaps if elected.
“I even felt the anxiety, the concerns regarding the international status, my visa status, but we couldn't get sufficient response from the school,” said Park to Harvard Crimson. “We do not need to be consistently concerned of what would happen to our visas.”
Tiu proposed introducing workshops tailored to international students, expanding career pathways with the Center of International Development, and creating a standing KSSG committee focused on international students. Dianah Mukundwa, another candidate, said she would introduce a directory to connect students with one another and alumni.
Candidates also raised concerns about transparency and accountability within the Student Government. Park described KSSG’s decision-making process as a “black box,” while Tiu said students struggled to access meeting minutes from the previous year.
“These funds are directly coming from our students, and we should be transparent on how we’re spending them and how we’re using it to best serve the students,” Tiu said.
Last year’s elections were overshadowed by a $46,000 budget deficit, which then-president Zubeir Merchant helped stabilize. Candidates stressed the need to maintain accountability and clear communication moving forward.
Vice presidential candidates focus on diversity
The debate also featured remarks from vice presidential candidates, including Ruhee Wadhwania, running for VP of Diversity, Equity, and Anti-Racism. She pledged to strengthen diversity initiatives and formalize immigration resources amid changes to the school’s Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging, which was renamed Office of Belonging, Community, and Connection.
“When diversity is under attack by the Trump administration, and this office I worked with no longer exists, this KSSG position is the only thing at the school with diversity in its name,” Wadhwania said.
Engagement with administration
While most candidates refrained from criticizing HKS Dean Jeremy Weinstein, Park and Tiu highlighted opportunities to work with him on student concerns. Park noted that the administration was receptive to student feedback, while Tiu emphasized that KSSG could leverage Weinstein’s openness to reimagine the student experience.
“KSSG, right now, has a very unique opportunity. Dean Weinstein is new. He’s looking to reimagine HKS,” Tiu said. “Now is a good opportunity to question the fundamental experience of students."
With HKS’s student body comprising 59% international students, the school is particularly vulnerable to changes affecting visas and immigration. Presidential candidates Jerwin Tiu and Harry Park emphasized that the school did not provide sufficient support for international students in the spring and outlined plans to address these gaps if elected.
“I even felt the anxiety, the concerns regarding the international status, my visa status, but we couldn't get sufficient response from the school,” said Park to Harvard Crimson. “We do not need to be consistently concerned of what would happen to our visas.”
Tiu proposed introducing workshops tailored to international students, expanding career pathways with the Center of International Development, and creating a standing KSSG committee focused on international students. Dianah Mukundwa, another candidate, said she would introduce a directory to connect students with one another and alumni.
Candidates also raised concerns about transparency and accountability within the Student Government. Park described KSSG’s decision-making process as a “black box,” while Tiu said students struggled to access meeting minutes from the previous year.
“These funds are directly coming from our students, and we should be transparent on how we’re spending them and how we’re using it to best serve the students,” Tiu said.
Last year’s elections were overshadowed by a $46,000 budget deficit, which then-president Zubeir Merchant helped stabilize. Candidates stressed the need to maintain accountability and clear communication moving forward.
Vice presidential candidates focus on diversity
The debate also featured remarks from vice presidential candidates, including Ruhee Wadhwania, running for VP of Diversity, Equity, and Anti-Racism. She pledged to strengthen diversity initiatives and formalize immigration resources amid changes to the school’s Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging, which was renamed Office of Belonging, Community, and Connection.
“When diversity is under attack by the Trump administration, and this office I worked with no longer exists, this KSSG position is the only thing at the school with diversity in its name,” Wadhwania said.
Engagement with administration
While most candidates refrained from criticizing HKS Dean Jeremy Weinstein, Park and Tiu highlighted opportunities to work with him on student concerns. Park noted that the administration was receptive to student feedback, while Tiu emphasized that KSSG could leverage Weinstein’s openness to reimagine the student experience.
“KSSG, right now, has a very unique opportunity. Dean Weinstein is new. He’s looking to reimagine HKS,” Tiu said. “Now is a good opportunity to question the fundamental experience of students."
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