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U.S. Latino Leadership Fellowship

The U.S. Latino Leadership Fellowship brings together a diverse and talented group of emerging leaders from any race or ethnicity who are committed agents of transformation in underserved communities in the U.S. U.S. Latino Leadership Fellows have addressed disparities in their communities through efforts in public policy, education, economic development, health care, immigration, social entrepreneurship, and a variety of other fields.

U.S. Latino Leadership fellows are leaders who:

  • Create sustainable change in underserved communities by leveraging community assets

  • Inspire new ideas and innovative change in local and national programs and policies

  • Build cross-sector partnerships and collaborations

We need talented people driven in their desire to tackle immense challenges regardless of the odds. We need emerging leaders who want to develop and enhance their ability to create necessary and sustainable change.

The Center for Public Leadership acknowledges the generosity of the William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust, the Coca-Cola Foundation, and Clyde Tuggle for their support of the U.S. Latino Leadership Fellowship.  

Oscar Echeverria

"As a first-generation student from a low-income, immigrant background, the U.S. Latinx Leadership Fellowship at CPL was one of the greatest supports and resources to me while attending HKS. Its financial support, along with the vital importance of community with the other Latinx fellows, all dedicated to and passionate about serving Latinx communities, was vital to my success at HKS. Undoubtedly, without this fellowship’s support, I would not have been able to attend HKS."

— Oscar Echeverria, MPP 2021

Application

How to apply:

  1. ​​​​​​​Apply to Harvard Kennedy School. Your admission application and all required documentation must be submitted by 3 p.m. EST on Wednesday, December 1, 2021. 
  2. Apply for the Fellowship by submitting your HKS financial assistance application. The deadline is Monday, January 24, 2022 at 3 p.m. EST.

Applicants must submit (combined into a single document):

  1. A biographical profile, not to exceed 150 words (This profile should be short, concise and in the third person.) Please include the following highlights: an introductory sentence including your name; the degree you are pursuing at Harvard Kennedy School in addition to any joint degree at Harvard or concurrent degree program at another graduate or professional institution; where you are from and where you currently reside; an overview and highlights of your relevant work/professional experience; significant leadership achievements including awards or certifications; and educational credentials with the degrees earned and institutions attended.)
  2. A document containing written responses to the following two essay prompts: 
    1. Please discuss a topic you are passionate about as it pertains to reducing disparities in U.S. Latino communities and your experiences as it relates to this topic. Please use specific examples in your response (500 words or less.)
    2. Please describe areas of leadership growth or opportunity you hope to pursue as a student  in attendance at HKS (200 words or less).

Interviews: Finalists for the US Latino Fellowship will be interviewed in late February 2022 by members of the Fellowship Selection Committee.

Note: Before submitting your application, we expect that you have thoroughly reviewed all pertinent information related to the US Latino fellowship, including but not limited to: program requirements, eligibility information, and the background and purpose of the fellowship, including the history and background of the donor. Being a CPL fellow carries with it certain responsibilities including maintenance of good academic standing as required by your degree program; attendance at all fellowship programming for the entire duration of the fellowship; leading program sessions and service activities including a field experience trip; and responsible conduct in representing CPL and Harvard University. Please visit our Fellows FAQs page for more information.

Commitment to Nondiscrimination: As a matter of commitment, policy, and law, Harvard Kennedy School does not discriminate on the basis of gender, gender identity, color, race, age, sexual orientation, religion, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, intellectual focus, disability, or veteran status. The School strongly believes diversity enhances the value of all its activities, from research and teaching to degree programs and public events. The School encourages applications from candidates who are interested in careers in public service and acknowledges a special responsibility to train effective leaders in public policy and management.

Program Information

WHAT WE OFFER

The fellowship provides:

  • Full tuition scholarship, health care fees, and a living stipend for a master’s degree program at Harvard Kennedy School. Joint or concurrent degree students are eligible for a different financial aid package depending on their school in residence.

  • A comprehensive co-curricular leadership development program set within the Harvard ecosystem—a robust network of faculty, students, and opportunity

  • Engagement with mentors and highly accomplished leaders who will enhance your ability to impact the communities you serve

THE AWARD
Recipients each year will receive full tuition, health insurance, and a $25,000 annual stipend during their full course of study at Harvard Kennedy School (one to two years).

ELIGIBILITY
The fellowship is open to all admitted master’s degree program students at Harvard Kennedy School. Domestic students from underrepresented groups with an interest in business, medicine, law, education, and public health are encouraged to apply.

Applicants will be considered based on their leadership potential and demonstrated interest and work in reducing disparities in Latino and other underserved communities in the U.S. Successful candidates will also demonstrate excellent academic credentials. Award decisions will be primarily merit-based but with a consideration for financial need as determined by the HKS Student Financial Services.

THE FELLOWSHIP EXPERIENCE
Fellows will participate in a proven, yearlong co-curricular program designed by Harvard Kennedy School’s Center for Public Leadership. This not-for-credit program is intended to inspire, provide concrete opportunities for leadership skills-building, and connect fellows with an interdisciplinary network of peers and mentors that will last a lifetime.

The fellowship co-curricular program includes dinner sessions, an annual retreat, and robust field experiences grounded in discussions with visionary leaders whose work has had significant impact in marginalized communities. The program will also focus on strengthening core competencies central to public leadership. Delivered by expert faculty and practitioners, workshops and lectures will cover topics including promoting strong moral character and ethical decision making, mastering the art of negotiation, and leading effective teams and organizations among others.

The co-curricular program also provides a hands-on leadership learning lab where fellows can workshop new ideas, problem-solve intractable challenges, and receive valuable feedback. Fellows play an active leadership role in driving programming that directly impacts their learning and that of their peers. When fellows graduate, they join the ranks of over 800 innovative and highly accomplished CPL alumni who are forging transformative change across sectors.