Culture, Community and Engagement
Culture, Community, and Engagement
At the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, the Office of Culture, Community, and Engagement (CCE) supports students from the time they are prospective applicants, throughout their studies at Harvard, and as they join our celebrated alumni community as newly graduated PhD and master’s degree recipients. We support the success of all graduate students and promote open dialogue and leadership across our academic community.
The CCE office serves as a consultant, partner, and leader, working closely with potential students, students, staff, and faculty across all schools. We support recruitment and engagement efforts, including on- and off-campus events, training programs, and programs for admitted students.
We host a variety of events and programs that celebrate and affirm the Harvard Griffin GSAS community. By collaborating with campus partners, CCE provides education, advocacy, and community-building initiatives designed to enhance campus climate, increase students’ sense of belonging, and empower them to thrive as they navigate Harvard and their graduate training. Additionally, we offer one-on-one support to students, support for student groups, and host academic, professional development, and community events.
Our office’s work continues to evolve to meet the ever-changing needs of our students. We invite you to connect and partner with us to support the Harvard Griffin GSAS community.
We are committed to expanding the pool of talented students who apply to SHBT. To discuss your choice of the SHBT Program to pursue Ph.D. training, please reach out to the SHBT Program Head, Gwenaëlle Géléoc or SHBT Director of Admissions, Sunil Puria.
Student Resources
Student Groups
Harvard Griffin GSAS and Harvard University sponsor graduate student groups ranging from religious and environmental groups to those affiliated with a cultural community or academic discipline. Visit the GSAS Student Center website for information.
A sample of these groups available and open to all students are listed here:
Minority Biomedical Students at Harvard (MBSH) is a student group dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion in the life sciences community at Harvard.
Underrepresented Students of Neuroscience. USN seeks to provide community support for students who are underrepresented minorities or who come from underrepresented/non-academic backgrounds.
Harvard Griffin GSAS Faith-Based Student Groups
Harvard Griffin GSAS Latinx Student Association (LSA)
Harvard Griffin GSAS Student Council (GSC)
Harvard Griffin GSAS Student-Parents Group
Harvard Griffin GSAS Women in Science and Engineering Group (GWISE)
Harvard University Native American Program (HUNAP)
LGBTQ@GSAS, a Harvard Griffin GSAS Student Group
Minority Biomedical Scientists Association, a Harvard Griffin GSAS Student Group (MBSA)
W.E.B. Du Bois Graduate Society of Harvard Griffin GSAS
Campus Resources
There are a variety of resources available to Harvard Griffin GSAS students to foster their academic and professional development, wellness, and social, cultural, and intellectual engagement. Visit the GSAS website for more information. Please see below for a sample of these resources:
Academic Resource Center (ARC)
Center for Wellness and Health Promotion
Counseling and Mental Health Services (CAMHS)
Disability Access Office (DAO)
Office for Graduate Education: Culture, Community, and Engagement
Harvard Griffin GSAS Office of Student Services
Harvard Griffin GSAS Office of Culture, Community, and Engagement (CCE)
Harvard Medical School (HMS) Office of Culture and Community Engagement (OCCE)
Office for Community Support, Non-Discrimination, Rights and Responsibilities (CSNDR)
New Student Resources
Summer Institute
The Summer Institute offers students the opportunity to meet and build social and professional networks with fellow incoming PhD students, staff, and faculty prior to the start of the academic year. The Summer Institute is also an opportunity to experience a preview of graduate school and participate in professional development workshops to ease the transition into graduate school. Learn more about the Summer Institute.
Culture and Community Workshop
Established in 2019, the Culture and Community Workshop is a community-building workshop for incoming cohorts of first-year PhD students that takes place at the beginning of their first semester of graduate school. Students leave the workshop with: (1) A greater awareness and appreciation of the perspectives, experiences, and cultures that they and their peers bring to their cohort, program, and Harvard and (2) Concrete action steps toward building and sustaining an inclusive culture and community in their cohort and program, including effective dialogue and collaboration across backgrounds and viewpoints. The workshop is also part of the Harvard Griffin GSAS and HMS commitment to fostering open inquiry.