| Motto | Twelve Harvard Graduate Schools. One Harvard. |
|---|---|
| Institution | Harvard University |
| Location | Cambridge, Massachusetts |
| President | Brad Canales |
| Website | hgc |
The Harvard Graduate Council (HGC) (formerly known as the HGSG and originally founded as the HGC) is the centralized student government organization for the twelve graduate schools of Harvard University. Representing the interests of more than 15,000 Harvard graduate students, HGC is responsible for advocating student concerns to the University administrators, including the President of Harvard University, as well as the Provost and the Deans. HGC is also tasked with organizing large university-wide initiatives and events, managing and providing funding for university-wide student groups (USGs), [1] [2] as well as representing the Harvard graduate student population during conferences with other Ivy League universities and external organizations. [3] In addition, HGC collaborates with its undergraduate counterpart, the Harvard Undergraduate Council (UC). The HGC Seal is formed by 13 different Harvard seals. At the center is the main Harvard University seal, which itself is surrounded by the 12 smaller seals of individual graduate schools.
HGC is a steward of the "One Harvard" movement, which aims to bring all of Harvard's graduate schools together through joint advocacy, closer collaboration, and social interaction. Through this movement, HGC organizes university-wide initiatives and events, administers funding for university-wide student groups (USGs), and represents the Harvard graduate student population in relation with other universities and external organizations. HGC is a federal-like student government organization: it consists of representatives from all 12 graduate schools, but each of the twelve schools continues to operate some type of a local student council of its own. These local student councils focus on school-specific issues, whereas HGC's mandate extends to the entire university.
Membership
All matriculated students of Harvard's twelve graduate and professional schools are members of the HGC:
Leadership
The governing body of the HGC is made of an Executive Board, School Representatives, and Committee Representatives. Currently, there are approximately 100 graduate and professional students serving on 7 committees and 23 subcommittees, within the Leadership Council. Leadership Council meetings are held throughout the fall and spring semesters, and are open to all students from Harvard’s graduate and professional schools. [4]
The president of the Harvard Graduate Council is Brad Canales, (HES) 2025-2026. The inaugural president of the Harvard Graduate Council is Beata Zolovska, (HMS) 2003-2004. The inaugural, (executive) vice president is Gene Anthony III, (HDS) 2011.
The executive board consists of:
Past Presidents
The current vice president is Cynthia J. Alvarado, (HGSE) 2025-2026
Past Vice Presidents
The current chair of operations is Michael Gee, (SEAS) 2025-2026.
Past Chair of Operations
The current chair of finance is Juan Osbaldo Pastrana Martinez, (HES) 2025-2026.
Past Chair of Finance
The current chair of information is Esmeralda Aceituno, (GSD) 2023-2025.
Past Chair of Information
The current chair of programming is Rothsethamony Seng, (HGSE) 2024-2025.
Past Chair of Programming
The current chair of advocacy is Victor Lee, (HGSE) 2024-2027.
Past Chair of Advocacy
University administrators often consult with the HGC on a variety of issues facing Harvard graduate students. [5] [2] HGC leadership also serves on various faculty-administrator-student committees and task forces, focusing on issues such as the student health care, campus planning, Harvard presidential appointments, and sexual assault. [6] [7]
The Harvard Graduate Council (HGC) provides operational and event grant funding for recognized university wide student organizations through the University-wide Student Groups Sub-Committee of the HGC Finance Committee.
2024-2025 USGs
HGC organizes university-wide events, including the Harvard-wide Welcome Back Event, [14] [15] the Harvard Masquerade Ball, [16] [17] Harvard Leadership Conference, [18] [19] Lectures That Last, [20] [21] and Post.Harvard.