Empowering Your Educational Journey
Things I have Achieved This Year for HESA
As Vice president this year, I helped created the strategic plan that outlines the goals of the organization, its identity, its path forward to Student Government status. This was a collaborative effort with other members of HESA, and I presented it alongside Lindsey and nathan to Dean Coleman.
I have hosted regional events, which was my idea last year and a campaign promise. I am also empowering and supporting HESA team members to host regional meetups and we have 5 more planned before the end of the year.
I have prioritized accessibility to be more inclusive in WhatsApp and other other official communication channels.
I have established protocols for HESA to ensure the future success of the organization.
I served on the Harvard Graduate Council this year. Flying or driving to Cambridge from DC in order to ensure Harvard Extension Students are represented on the larger Harvard stage. I have advocated for the inclusivity of our students, given that we are largely remote students so that HES doesn’t miss out on opportunities and has opportunities to feel closer to Harvard.
I have empowered team members to grow in their roles by supporting and creating infrastructure for them to thrive by removing roadblocks.
I have worked with students to raise concerns to DCE and OSA about meaningful issues, like creating parody with other Harvard organizations.
Co-hosted 2:1 meetings with every director in HESA, several deputy directors, many club and Society leaders to make sure they have the support they need and understand the issues that are pressing to them.
Endoresements From Students
Building Community for HES
The very first regional HESA meetup, and it took place in London. It is the first of many to come.
At a Harvard Council meeting on campus advocating for HES on the wider Harvard stage.
At convocation I created a Whatsapp channel and coordinated everyone meeting up and gave out bracelets so HES students could identify each other.
This is one of the networking meetups I hosted in Washington DC. Building community is so important.
My Open letter to the HES Community-
I’m running for HESA President!
I’ve been so grateful to serve as Vice President of HESA and as a Harvard Graduate Council representative this school year. I’ve spent that time getting to know students at Harvard Extension School—problem-solving with them, hearing the issues they care about, and doing everything I can to make sure those voices are heard. I’ve honored my promises and shown up to do the work.
You’ve seen me in the chats over the past couple of years, not because it’s election season, but because I’ve always been here—helping, building community, and showing up for students.
I’ve spent countless hours working to improve HES. This role has meant so much more to me than I ever could’ve imagined, and I’ve learned a lot—about what this organization means to students, about how to collaborate with administration, and about how to turn student concerns into real action. I helped create and curate the strategic plan for HESA, and if elected, I won’t need time to get up to speed. I already know how the organization works, what the constraints are, what events we hold, and what each position is responsible for. I’ve been here, doing the work, and I’m ready to keep going.
Over the past year and a half, I’ve created student meetups, helped launch events and initiatives, and collaborated with every facet of the organization I’m now applying to lead. I’m collaborative by nature, and I genuinely love serving this student body. I hope you’ll support me in my bid for President.
As always, my WhatsApp and email are open. I’m excited to keep collaborating and to hear what you want to see as a student at HES.
Jess Brooks
The Election Timeline:
Monday, March 24th at 12:00 AM (ET) – Call for Applications opens.
Wednesday, March 26th from 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM (ET) – Campaign rules office hours (recording here).
Sunday, March 30th at 11:59 PM (ET) – Call for Applications closes.
Monday, March 31st by 5:00 PM (ET) – Candidates are announced and campaigning for all positions begins.
Tuesday, April 1st from 9:00 – 10:00 PM (ET) – Meet the Candidates hosted by Harvard Extension Student Association. Registration here.
Monday, April 7th at 11:59 AM (ET) – Campaigning for all positions ends.
Monday, April 7th at 12:00 PM (ET) – Voting for all positions opens.
Monday, April 14th at 11:59 PM (ET) – Voting for all positions closes.
Tuesday, April 15th by 12:00 PM (ET) – Winning candidates notified.
Thursday, April 17th by 12:00 PM (ET) – Deadline for confirming position acceptance.
Friday, April 18th by 5:00 PM (ET) – Election results announced to general HES population.
