Welcoming the 2026

By Saida Abdalla This fall, the Center for Public Leadership is thrilled to welcome 148 fellows from across Harvard University to our fellowship community. These remarkable students come from diverse backgrounds, disciplines, and experiences, yet they share a common commitment: a passion for serving others and fostering positive change in their communities and around the globe. This year, we are particularly excited to welcome the inaugural cohort of American Service Fellows, who join our esteemed fellowship community alongside the Emirates Leadership Initiative, Gleitsman, George, Gergen, Equity, Rubenstein, Wolk, and Zuckerman Fellows. Together, these nine fellowships form a dynamic network of leaders who will challenge one another, learn collaboratively, and cultivate relationships that extend far beyond their time at Harvard. While each fellowship has its own unique mission and cohort experience, we recognize that true leadership rarely happens in isolation. In the inaugural year of the American Service Fellowship, the curriculum focuses on monthly cohort sessions led by Harvard faculty and affiliates where fellows can reflect on their past experiences and consider what comes next. These sessions are designed to build on and develop the fellows' vast experience and public service leadership skills such as leading through uncertainty, navigating conflict, and principled leadership. As part of the Gergen Fellowship, fellows gain hands-on experience through 10-week public-service internships while building professional networks and leadership skills within a supportive cohort. In our other fellowships, they will engage deeply within their cohorts while also connecting across the larger fellowship community through Practitioner Dinners, Taste & Takeaways, policy field experiences, CPL Speaks, Leadership Intensives, and other collaborative events. These opportunities are designed to facilitate the exchange of ideas across sectors, disciplines, and lived experiences, thereby strengthening both individual leadership and the broader CPL community. This year, some of the cohorts are exploring the True North Leadership framework developed by Bill George, guiding fellows to explore authentic leadership by reflecting on their life stories, identifying pivotal moments that have shaped them, clarifying their core values, and developing a stronger sense of purpose. Coupled with our Intentional Learning Plan (ILP), mentoring, peer coaching, and structured reflection, the curriculum encourages fellows to view leadership as an ongoing process of growth rather than merely a set of skills to acquire. Our in-person journey began at our welcome event at the end of August followed by our annual Fall Fellows Retreat. These two gatherings established a positive tone for the year ahead, fostering relationships and nurturing a sense of community among our diverse group of leaders. As fellows gathered from various programs, they engaged in reflective discussions and collaborative exercises that not only enhanced their understanding of leadership but also promoted a sense of belonging. This collaborative environment empowered participants to embrace diverse perspectives and developed essential skills for navigating challenges ahead. The bonds formed during this event will serve as a strong foundation as we navigate the fellowship year together. Leadership is not built in a single classroom, workshop, or retreat. It develops through reflection, authentic relationships, meaningful challenges, and the willingness to learn alongside others. We encourage every fellow to embrace the opportunity to share their experiences, remain curious about their peers, and fully engage with the CPL community. To our returning fellows, welcome back! To our newest fellows, we extend a heartfelt welcome to the Center for Public Leadership. We are excited to learn with you, grow alongside you, and witness the impactful contributions you will make throughout this year and long after your time at Harvard. Explore CPL Fellowships Student fellows are the heart of our mission to develop principled, effective public leaders capable of solving the world’s most pressing problems. CPL's fellowships provide tuition support and robust, cohort-based co-curricular programming grounded in experiential learning.