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More than 200 Harvard Extension School students from across the world filtered into the Faculty Club on Saturday for the third annual celebration of Graduate Certificate recipients.
The Extension School, which was founded more than a century ago, offers students the ability to enroll in Harvard Classes in the pursuit of a Graduate Certificate or Masters Degree in Continuing Education.
Suzanne C. Spreadbury, HES Dean of Academic Programs, proudly highlighted HES’ unique place as Harvard’s “rebellious middle child” during a speech at the event.
“Harvard Extension School has flourished, representing an important part of Harvard’s history, as well as the future of education,” she said.
Saturday’s event invited the 2024 cohort of students receiving Graduate Certificates to enjoy a reception with their families, followed by speeches by HES faculty and administrators.
HES Director of Advancement Jill Felicio said in an interview that the certificates formally recognize the awardees’ “credential-level expertise that allow them to seek new jobs, to move and be moving around the world, to switch industries, to build bridges within industries.”
Graduate Certificates are one of two primary programs students can enroll in at HES. The more intensive option, Masters Degrees, typically require 10-12 courses, whereas Certificates typically require four.
Felicio added that Graduate Certificates prove useful for students “looking for cutting edge technology and the way to be adaptable to a very changing world.”
HES certificate awardee and Harvard Business School employee Nekeya S. Dancy said her certificate confirms all her hard work, but is just a “stepping stone” on her “journey toward the Masters.”
Ioana Cincan, who received her certificate as part of her Masters program at Audencia Business School in France, said that one of her favorite parts of the program was getting to know her classmates.
“We were all coming from different environments, different countries, different career paths and different ages,” she said.
Spreadbury also praised the diversity of the graduating class, noting that the Certificate awardees have an age range of 70 years and hail from all 50 states, 60 countries, and speak more than 60 languages.
HES instructor Don Parker said that the school was “more than an institution.”
“It is a treasure, a beacon for lifelong learning, a testament to the power of perseverance and ambition,” he said.
HES Dean Nancy J. Coleman said in an interview that she recognized students could find “easier and faster and less expensive ways” to further their education. But she praised the students’ choice to challenge themselves “to get the rigor of a Harvard Education” at HES.
“It takes a special group and we are really proud of them,” she added.
—Staff writer Jackson M. Deutch can be reached at jackson.deutch@thecrimson.com. Follow him on X at @DeutchJackson.
—Staff writer Evan H.C. Epstein can be reached at evan.epstein@thecrimson.com. Follow him on X at @Evan_HC_Epstein.
