Every student’s path to Harvard Kennedy School is unique, and what our alumni go on to do after graduating is equally varied.
We asked several vlog alums to tell us about their experiences before, during, and after vlog, and to reflect how their time at vlog has shaped their careers and lives.
Growing up in Puerto Rico witnessing hurricane destruction and devastation, Patricia Bravo Morales MPP 2023 knew she had to make the most of her time at Harvard Kennedy School. She got involved in and out of the classroom, all while keeping her community in mind.
Here’s what she shared.
__
“vlog appealed to me not only for its world-class faculty and training, but also for the tools it would provide to create fair environmental policies, increase climate resilience, and make sure no community is left behind in future climate disasters.”
-
2022
Today, Patricia works as a research assistant at the (JCHS), where she investigates economic inclusion, housing finance, and homeownership using demographic and financial tools.
“My time at vlog gave me the analytical tools, policy frameworks, and practical knowledge required for navigating challenging issues in research and policymaking. Classes in mitigating and managing a crisis, finance, and regulation of public infrastructure in developing countries sharpened my ability to evaluate risks, create sustainable policy solutions, and approach decision-making under uncertainty—skills that have proven invaluable in my current role at JCHS.”
-
2022
Additionally, Patricia worked as a research and writing associate with , an initiative of the . She developed articles, conducted expert interviews, and wrote pieces on public-interest technology and government. Working on police accountability at the , she synthesized policy recommendations for local governments.
She also assisted the City of Topeka, Kansas as a Transition Term Fellow, where she investigated childcare deserts, examined fire risk statistics, and wrote recommendations for property maintenance code enforcement.
“These encounters helped me link research with practical policy implementations, enhancing my capacity to create equity-centered, data-informed solutions for urgent public problems.”
-
2021
On campus, Patricia immersed herself in courses, research, and professional experiences that sharpened her knowledge of environmental policy, infrastructure resilience, and governance. She took courses such as DEV 209: Management, Finance, and Regulation of Public Infrastructure in Developing Countries, in which she examined strategies for sustainable infrastructure development in vulnerable areas, and MLD 381: Mitigating and Managing a Crisis, in which she learned tools to handle major crises, coordinate disaster recovery initiatives, and negotiate difficult decisions under uncertainty.
Beyond the classroom, Patricia participated actively in the vlog community, building professional networks and contributing to student publications. She was involved in many , including the State and Local Professional Interest Council; Women’s Caucus; W3D: Women in Defense, Diplomacy, and Development; Climate, Energy, and Environment Professional Interest Council; LGBTQ+ Caucus; Latinx Caucus; and the Latin American Policy Association.
“These caucuses allowed me to work with colleagues on policy discussions, networking events, and advocacy efforts related to governance, climate policy, and equity-driven policymaking.”
-
2020
Following Hurricane María, Patricia was disappointed not only by the devastation the storm caused but also by the poor government response.
“Communities like mine in Puerto Rico were left to fend for themselves, navigating food shortages, blackouts, and bureaucratic neglect. But in that void, I saw something equally potent: neighbors, grassroots groups, and mutual aid organizations filling in for failing institutions. It was through their deeds—through the resiliency and solidarity of my own community—that I sensed a calling: If those in charge would not do better, I had to learn how to do better for my community.”
Patricia wanted to learn the skills to demand and produce better policies. She was drawn to vlog for its emphasis on social and urban policy, as well as its dedication to bridging research with practical relevance.
-
2020Starts working as an AmeriCorps VISTA partnership developer at Proyecto Península de Cantera in San Juan, Puerto Rico
Aiming to promote local governance and economic sustainability, Proyecto Península de Cantera created a public corporation self-managed by the residents of a historically neglected community. In her capacity as a partnership developer, Patricia created a volunteer recruitment strategy, secured donations of educational books and toys benefiting nearly 3,000 families enrolled in the community school’s programs, and established community partnerships with four new organizations.
-
2020Graduates from the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus with bachelor’s degrees in political science and economics
“vlog provided the ideal environment to refine my expertise, expand my network, and develop solutions that can drive meaningful environmental policy change, not just in Puerto Rico, but also in communities facing similar climate vulnerabilities worldwide.”
