Student Success Stories
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Student Success Stories
Learn about the Harvard Extension experience from people who have lived it. See what our current students and alumni have to say about our courses, faculty, and the impact that continuing education has had on their lives and careers.

Peter Thielen
Master of Liberal Arts in Biotechnology
Ellicott City, Maryland
Peter Thielen, a molecular biologist at Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, received a 2020 Emerging Leader Award from the Harvard Extension Alumni Association. Here's what he had to say about his time at Harvard Extension and his plans for the future.

Renee M. Greene
Master's of Liberal Arts in International Relations '19
New York, New York
Renee Greene, Vice President, Credit Trading at Goldman Sachs, received a 2020 Emerging Leader Award from the Harvard Extension Alumni Association. Here's what she had to say about her time at Harvard Extension and her plans for the future.

Diane Smith
Master of Liberal Arts in Journalism '17
St. Paul, Minn.
Diane Smith, founder and editor of Grey Sparrow Press, received a 2020 Emerging Leader Award from the Harvard Extension Alumni Association. Here's what she had to say about her time at Harvard Extension and her plans for the future.

Bradley Ashton Thomas
Master of Liberal Arts, Sustainability
Washington, D.C.
Failure is temporary. And you fail one day, and the next day what you learn from that failure becomes the seeds of success.

Marilena Dania
Bachelor of Liberal Arts, Psychology
Athens, Greece
Earning my psychology degree entailed real dedication, long hours, and love. Above all, love. I loved putting in the work, so it never felt like a chore. And my family loved what I was doing and supported me throughout.

Tazeen Hasan
Master of Liberal Arts, Journalism
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
With my parents' and friend's advice, I decided to give it a try by joining two courses on campus. And I never looked back till I achieved the degree.

Bernadette Catherine O’Connell de la Flor
Master of Liberal Arts, Management
Cambridge, Massachusetts; Lima, Peru
Keeping sight of my goals was the motivational force that carried me through.

Chelsea Gelardi
Master of Liberal Arts, International Relations
Warwick, Rhode Island
The increased flexibility associated with online courses allowed me the chance to effectively make my own schedule when juggling work and school.

Jasmine Robinson
Master of Liberal Arts, Digital Media Design
Redwood City, California
I knew that true growth happens when you step outside of your comfort zone, and I wanted to expand my horizons.

Adeo Carreon Alday
Master of Liberal Arts, Museum Studies
Boston, Massachusetts
I envision creating a nonprofit organization that can provide emerging artists with a community where they can thrive and embrace the goal of discovering how their art can make a difference, and where they may find their place in the world.