What is the Next Gen Initiative

As part of the Culture Lab Innovation Fund’s 2020 cohort, the Next Gen Initiative utilizes technology to align, consolidate, and enhance institutional support and community building pathways for all Harvard undergraduate and graduate students who are the first in their families to pursue a degree in the U.S and/or are from underresourced or underserved backgrounds.

While there is no universal Next Gen student experience across Harvard, there are shared challenges, needs, and areas of opportunity that can be addressed through the innovative retooling of existing Harvard University resources and services.

The Next Gen Initiative aims to expand institutional change and long-term investment in students who are “firsts” so that they can thrive as Harvard’s “next” generation of leaders.

  • First-generation college students
  • First-generation graduate students
  • First-generation international students (undergrad/graduate)
  • Students from low-income communities
  • Students from underrepresented communities
  • Students who are undocumented, DACAmented, TPS or from mixed-status households
Currently, we’re in the building phases of our project. Our team is hard at work developing and adding to our One Harvard platforms (website, social media, ect.), as a central location for all information related to the Next Gen student experience. Check back for updates or join our listserv to stay up to speed on all Next Gen happenings!
Connect with us to join a One Harvard Next Gen community, find a graduate student mentor, or attend our faculty-led Next Gen workshops on mapping your Harvard journey, cultivating your "why," bridging divides between home and Harvard, and more!