Alumni Awards The HKS Alumni Awards program consists of four awards honoring alumni for their work at different stages of their careers or for volunteer efforts on behalf of HKS.
REGIONAL NETWORK ENGAGEMENT AWARD
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HKS FUND OUTSTANDING ALUMNI AWARD
HKS Alumni Network of the United Arab Emirates
Mary V. Kurkjian MPP 1978
The HKS Alumni Network of the United Arab Emirates, which was officially recognized as a regional alumni network by Harvard Kennedy School in 2015, has had a significant impact in a short timeframe. The network has developed a tradition of annual events where alumni and leaders from various sectors connect to discuss important issues and policies. In addition, the network holds an annual gala each spring to gather Kennedy School alumni and dignitaries from across the UAE and the Middle East.
Kurkjian has given to the HKS Fund for 27 consecutive years, demonstrating that, over time, gifts of all amounts can have a tremendous impact on thousands of students. She has worked in 44 states for motor vehicle, human services, criminal justice, and IT agencies as a consultant on information technology and operations. She is also the founding director of Harvard Kennedy School’s Senior Executives in State and Local Government Executive Education Program.
