by Dr. Crystal Rose, M.D., Ph.D. HAEd Boston Co-Director
On June 1st, 2024, Harvard Alumni for Education (HAEd) hosted a memorable 'Meet and Greet' circle at Emerson Hall 101 as a part of the Harvard Reunion. Our Meet Up was generously sponsored by the Harvard Club of Boston. The event, bustling with energy and enthusiasm, was a testament to the power of connection and community among Harvard alumni.
Attendees arrived to a warm welcome from the HAEd Boston Chapter leaders, including Dr. Crystal Rose, HAEd Boston Co-Director; Hannah Shin, HAEd Boston Co-Director; Michelle Barmazel, HAEd Boston Engagement Coordinator and HAEd Boston Partner Liaison; and Monica Reichard, HAEd Boston Engagement Coordinator. The room buzzed with conversation as alumni from all 13 schools mingled, shared stories, and formed new connections. Notable guests were many and ranged from Dr. David Malan of CS50 fame to Artist, Educator, to TEDster, Berkeley-Stanford-Harvard Alum Felicia Kamriani, to Lavada Berger of Transcend Education to Dr. Kim Marshall of The Marshall Memo, who graciously offered opportunities for attendees to engage further. However, this gives an impression of the scope and breadth of the event. Our chapter also created activity zones for the attendees based on a series of engaging questions they could explore together or individually, which provided additional context for the event.
A highlight of the afternoon was the presentation of a special certificate to Dr. Elizabeth Micci from the Harvard Club of Boston, a testament to the strong partnership between HAEd and the Club. Dr. Micci's address to the group underscored the pivotal role of collaboration and community in driving educational excellence. The club's generous provision of refreshments added a delightful touch to the event, and a special thanks goes to Bex Steinberg for coordinating the snacks and to Kevin Steinberg for capturing the moments as the event photographer. In addition, HCB hosted a swag and info table, which included information about HCB membership and fun giveaways that included HCB branded frisbees, cozies, lanyards, and sunglasses!
As the afternoon progressed, the room was filled with laughter, animated discussions, and an unmistakable sense of shared purpose. Alumni eagerly discussed ways to get more involved, with many stepping forward to express interest in leadership roles within HAEd. The excitement reached a peak during the raffle, and one lucky attendee won a personalized HAEd journal.
As the largest chapter, HAEd Boston is committed to creating more meaningful events for its members. This Meet and Greet was not just an event; it was the catalyst for new friendships, collaborations, and a renewed dedication to educational advancement. We are thrilled at the prospect of strengthening our leadership team and continuing to host events that bring value and inspiration to our members, and we invite you to be a part of this exciting journey.
In this historic time of profound change, the importance of coming together to focus on the future of education cannot be overstated. We deeply appreciate everyone who attended and made this event truly special. Your presence and contributions are what make our community vibrant and dedicated to making a difference in education. We eagerly anticipate welcoming more alumni at our future events, as we continue to build a community that is united in our collective mission for educational excellence.
Stay tuned for more opportunities to connect, share, and grow with Harvard Alumni for Education. Here's to many more events that inspire and unite us in our collective mission for educational excellence.