Harvard Kennedy School Public Leadership Credential

06/03/2026

Paige Swem, a 2026 graduate of HKS's MC/MPA program and a Public Leadership Credential alumna, believes real change happens when institutions share power with the people.

Reflecting on her experience at Harvard Kennedy School, she shared:
“I believe in the power of the people and how we’ll bring change forward from the bottom up. Now, I have much better ways of thinking about that. I feel much stronger as a leader.”

Read Paige's story ➡️

05/28/2026

Today is the last day to register for the Public Leadership Credential Capstone, running June 2–12, 2026.

The capstone brings together the frameworks and tools developed in the six PLC courses, challenging learners to apply their knowledge to real-world public leadership scenarios alongside peers from around the world.

Finish what you started ➡️

05/27/2026

Happy Commencement from the Public Leadership Credential team!

We are proud to celebrate the Class of 2026 MC/MPA graduates who began their Harvard Kennedy School experience through the Public Leadership Credential. Faculty Lead Teddy Svoronos joined several members of this year’s graduating class to mark the occasion.

We are honored to have been part of your leadership development. Congratulations to all 2026 graduates!

05/26/2026

Behind every Public Leadership Credential course is a Harvard Kennedy School expert guiding your learning journey. Meet the faculty shaping the next generation of global leaders.

Get to know them ⤵️

05/20/2026

Registration is open for the June 2026 Capstone Assessment for the Public Leadership Credential.

The capstone brings together the tools, concepts, and leadership skills developed across all six courses, giving participants the opportunity to apply their learning to real-world challenges.

Course Dates: June 2–12, 2026
Registration Deadline: May 28, 2026

Learn more and take the last step towards completing your Public Leadership Credential.

05/13/2026

Jill Herriott completed the Public Leadership Credential in 2025. When asked about why she pursued the program, she shared:

“Achieving aligned political support often requires difficult trade-offs, and the organizations responsible for driving change may be unprepared or constrained by competing priorities. Motivated to make a meaningful impact, I pursued the Public Leadership Credential, confident that it would provide me with the tools, strategies, and insights needed to navigate these challenges effectively.”

Read more about her experience ➡️ https://bit.ly/4wxH53g

05/06/2026

“We don’t need more performers in Washington. If you want to do something, come on in.”

In a conversation at HKS with Harvard historian Jill Lepore, Mitt Romney discusses the state of political parties in America and possible pathways for another 250 years of democracy.

05/01/2026

"The balance between theory and application empowers you not just to think differently, but to act more effectively."

Nisreen Qatamish, CEO of the King Hussein Cancer Foundation (KHCF), leads Jordan’s largest healthcare nonprofit advancing equitable access to cancer care.

Through the Public Leadership Credential, she strengthened her ability to address public health challenges with an evidence-based approach, gaining practical tools to align stakeholders and drive change.

Applying these frameworks, she played a key role in Jordan’s adoption of a national cancer insurance scheme, expanding access to care for over 4.1 million citizens.

Her future goal? To continue building resilient, responsive health systems that serve all people with dignity.

Read her full Q&A ➡️ https://bit.ly/4cTCDCI

04/21/2026

Artificial intelligence is reshaping how governments operate, how workers do their jobs, and how citizens interact with public institutions. But while the technology is advancing quickly, the frameworks for using it effectively—and responsibly—are still taking shape.

In this collection of perspectives, Harvard Kennedy School experts, including Teddy Svoronos, outline how governments can think about AI: as a tool for improving services, a source of new risks, and a force that will require careful oversight, new skills, and ongoing adaptation.

Harvard Kennedy School experts discuss how AI can help or harm—from service delivery to regulation.

04/15/2026

Congratulations to our newest Public Leadership Credential alumni!

Last week, we released course designations for the January 2026 PLC Capstone, welcoming more than 80 new alumni into our incredible community of changemakers.

Our alumni exemplify the power of the PLC, applying what they've learned to drive meaningful impact in their communities. As the PLC network continues to grow, so does the reach of the Harvard Kennedy School mission.

Welcome to a global community of lifelong learners and leaders!