How did you fit your education into your life?
Integrating the rigorous demands of Harvard Extension School coursework into my life as a full-time professional and active parent was a masterclass in adaptability and resourceful planning. It wasn’t always easy, but it was always deliberate.
I learned to transform travel time for my children’s sporting events into study sessions, often working diligently on projects in hotel rooms late into the night after their games. Beyond home, I proactively utilized community resources, particularly the local university library, which became my sanctuary for focused work after a full workday, sometimes until its midnight closing.
This balancing act was only possible through a combination of my unwavering discipline, my family’s incredible flexibility and encouragement, and my ability to creatively leverage every available minute and resource.
Earning this degree while working gave me a powerful sense of achievement and resilience.
How has your Harvard Extension School experience helped you throughout your career journey? How do you expect it to impact your next steps?
Joining Harvard Extension School was precisely how I orchestrated my “next steps” following two decades of service in the Army. Five years out, I recognized the imperative to bridge my invaluable military leadership and technical acumen with the demands of the civilian sector.
HES proved to be the ideal accelerant. It immersed me in an environment where I could actively engage with and learn from diverse industry leaders, directly enabling me to translate and amplify my skills into those of a cutting-edge technology leader.
Moving forward, this Harvard experience is not just a credential; it’s the blueprint that will guide my strategic decision-making and expand my sphere of influence, ensuring I continue to lead at the forefront of technological advancement.
What does earning a Harvard degree mean to you?
To earn a Harvard degree, particularly as my father marks his 50th anniversary of doing the same, represents a powerful convergence of pride, legacy, and profound responsibility.
My journey — from emigrating from Ghana to serving in the U.S. Army — has instilled in me a deep understanding of the challenges faced by marginalized communities. A Harvard degree, therefore, isn’t just a credential; it’s the mandate and the mechanism through which I can amplify my efforts, using my unique perspective and the influence of this institution to create pathways to opportunity and dramatically improve lives for those from similar backgrounds.
Describe your Extension experience in one word.
Empowering.
