Trinity Student Juan Rayo ‘27 Selected for Prestigious Harvard Public Policy Fellowship

Sajja Ranjit ‘29

News Editor

At this time last year, Juan Rayo didn’t think a place like Harvard was within reach. Now, this Trinity College student is preparing to attend one of the nation’s most selective public policy programs.

Juan Rayo ’27, a junior at Trinity College majoring in political science and double minoring in Legal studies and Hispanic studies, has been selected for the highly competitive Public Policy and International Affairs (PPIA) Junior Summer Institute at the Harvard Kennedy School, joining a small group of students nationwide preparing for careers in public service.

The seven-week fellowship is designed to support students from underrepresented backgrounds who are interested in public policy and government. Participants complete intensive coursework and receive mentorship while building networks that prepare them for graduate study in public policy.

For Rayo, this opportunity not only represents an academic achievement, but a personal milestone: “As a first-generation student of color, I used to think opportunities like this weren’t for me,” Rayo said in an interview with the Tripod. “If someone had told me a year ago that I’d be going to Harvard for a fellowship, I wouldn’t have believed them.”

Rayo’s interest in politics started early. Growing up in Managua, Nicaragua before moving to Atlanta, he recalls reading newspapers his uncle bought covering national and international issues. 

“The decisions made in Washington, D.C., and at the state level impact our lives directly,” he said. “And historically, public policy hasn’t always served marginalized communities well.”

This awareness motivated him to pursue a career in public service. On campus, Rayo is also a student leader with TrinVotes, where he focuses on promoting civic engagement and voter participation among students. “We need more people who look like us in those spaces,” Rayo said. “If we have a seat at the table, we can help create policies that better serve our communities.”

Faculty mentorship and campus resources also helped guide his path. Rayo mentioned taking courses with professors such as Senior Lecturer in Political Science Mary J. Dudas as a first-year, as well as Professor of the Practice in Public Policy & Law Glenn W. Falk, and how they introduced him to the relationship between law, government and inequality, while the college’s grants office and Career and Life Design Center supported his application process. “The grants office made me aware of this opportunity, and the Career Center helped me refine my materials,” he said. “Those resources were really important.”

The PPIA program, which has been running for decades, has produced notable alumni including Maryland Governor Wes Moore and Congressman Hakeem Jeffries. At Harvard, the program is meant to mirror the first semester of a Masters of Public Policy program. “It’s not just an internship,” Rayo said. “It’s meant to prepare you for graduate school and a long-term career in public service.”

The application process, with a deadline in late October included essays, a recommendation letter, and a demonstrated commitment to public policy issues. Rayo emphasized the importance of authenticity in the process. “They want to see what you genuinely care about,” he said. “For me, that’s voting rights. Writing about something you’re passionate about really matters.”

As one of the limited students selected for the program, Rayo will join a cohort of peers from across the country. “Being surrounded by people who are equally passionate about public service is really exciting,” he said. “It’s a chance to learn from others who want to create change.”

He also hopes his experiences will motivate other Trinity students to apply to similar opportunities. “I don’t necessarily see myself as a trailblazer,” Rayo said. “But I do want people to know that programs like this exist, and that they can apply.” His advice to students considering competitive fellowships is simple: don’t let self-doubt get in the way. “It’s easy to feel intimidated, especially when you see how competitive these programs are,” he said. “But you belong in these spaces.”

Looking ahead, Rayo plans to bring what he learns back to Trinity and continue preparing for a career in public policy. For now, he sees the fellowship as both a challenge and an opportunity. “I know it’s going to be a rigorous summer,” he said. “But I’m excited to grow, learn, and take the next step toward my goals.”