GSD Alumni Afternoon Tea | Boulder, CO

Join GSD alumni in Colorado for tea, light refreshments, and thoughtful conversations around building a more connected and engaged GSD network in the Rockies.

Hosted by Jules Zhao MDes ’04, founder of Vita Spazio.

Please RSVP to [email protected].

Questions? Contact [email protected].

Alumni & Friends Events

Alumni Updates

The GSD’s extraordinary alumni community is made up of thought leaders who continually innovate across disciplines. They are regularly recognized around the world by the design industry, news media, and professional peers alike. Above are just a few of the professional updates from the GSD’s talented alumni community. Share your professional updates, or those of your fellow GSD alumni, with the GSD community.

Alumni & Friends

Alumni & Support

Support the GSD. No matter the size, every gift matters. Give

Annual Report of Giving

Gift Planning

Benefits of Gift Planning

Making provisions for future gifts to the GSD through your will or estate plan is a meaningful way to build a legacy and make a lasting difference—and assets remain yours during your lifetime. These gifts, as well as beneficiary designations, can be changed should your circumstances change.

For life income gifts, lead trusts, and donor advised funds, your assets are invested in the Harvard endowment or through TIAA Kaspick, depending on the type of gift, for no separate fee, making your gift go even further. These types of gifts, as well as gifts of complex assets, often provide many tax advantages during your lifetime and can also be a smart part of estate planning for many donors.

Many donors choose not to specify a purpose for their planned gifts, including bequests, allowing the GSD to use their gift where it is needed most. If you prefer to direct your gift to a specific purpose, our team can help you or your attorney craft a plan that reflects your wishes. 

Your Planned Gift

By establishing a planned gift or including the GSD in your will or estate plan, you become part of a distinguished group of design thinkers who maintain a lasting connection with the school through the H. Langford Warren community of planned giving donors.

H. Langford Warren (1857–1917) was an exemplary leader and visionary who founded the School of Architecture at Harvard and served as its first Chair. By joining science and fine arts within the study of architecture and fostering the nascent field of landscape architecture, he established a model of cross-disciplinary collaboration that is still a hallmark of the GSD.

Learn more about making your planned gift. Harvard Gift Planning Website

2023–2024 Annual Report of Giving

United by Design: The Global Impact of the GSD Community

The GSD community is connected by a commitment to driving positive change in the world. With a vast and influential network of graduates, the school consistently leads in pioneering advancements across a multitude of fields. The alumni community is energized by its extensive and active network, which fosters meaningful personal connections and promotes career growth through events, networking, and other opportunities.

GSD Alumni Council
Alumni can enhance their connections with the school through the GSD Alumni Council, the vibrant heartbeat of our alumni network. Its mission is simple yet profound: to propel the GSD’s influence worldwide. Comprising 50 distinguished members from diverse fields and regions, the Alumni Council represents a tapestry of talent that promises to carry forward the school’s legacy of innovation and excellence. Read more information on and updates from the Alumni Council.

Engaging with the GSD Alumni community unlocks access to a thriving network of over 15,000 graduates. This dynamic community is actively engaged through an array of events, activities, and knowledge-sharing opportunities that not only foster personal connections but also offer unparalleled career advancement and mentorship prospects. By embracing the principles of connecting, bridging, and amplifying within this community, alumni can empower themselves to pursue opportunities and contribute to the vibrant, global GSD network.

Nina Chase (MLA ’12) and Riki Nishimura (MAUD ’03), GSD Alumni Council Co-Chairs FY23 and FY24

Alumni Highlights
The impressive GSD alumni network boasts visionaries who consistently push the envelope across various fields. The accomplishments and honors highlighted in the list below offer a glimpse into our design community’s remarkable successes. Celebrating groundbreaking achievements and creative innovations in design, the following updates were initially shared between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024, on the GSD Alumni & Friends website.
Share your professional updates and those of your fellow GSD alumni with the GSD community. Submissions  are welcome.

For corrections, please contact Mila Cuda, Staff Assistant, Development and Alumni Relations.

Published February 2025

A Thirty-Seven-Year GSD Journey: John A. Mann II (MUP ’01)

“I had long had a desire to get a master’s degree in urban planning,” said John, who grew up in Tucson, Arizona, and now lives in Washington, DC. “I was exploring different programs in the DC area and thought I would work full-time while going to school. Then, I found out about the GSD’s Design Discovery, somehow convinced my employer to pay for this six-week program, and got to experience a little taste of what life at the GSD is like. By the end of those six weeks, I said, ‘If I can get into Harvard, I’m going to quit my job and do it.’”

As a public servant in his late thirties, John knew giving up two years of income for a graduate degree was a major financial leap. But he calls his time at the GSD one of the greatest experiences of his life, one that rewarded him academically and with “extraordinary” connections to his classmates and professors.

After graduating and returning to federal employment, John prioritized giving back to the GSD both professionally and financially by serving on the GSD Alumni council for eight years—and committing to a recurring monthly gift to the school. His continuous support of GSD students over the years, unchanged by his upcoming retirement from the Navy and the pursuit of new projects, has impacted our community deeply.

Giving in general was important to me because I understand the economic burden of going to the GSD, and donating on a monthly basis felt achievable to me. I had to take out student loans to do it, and I was fortunate to pay them back in short order. If my giving helps offset the cost of tuition and expenses for other students, that’s worth it to me.

“There’s nothing like being able to leave a full-time job and go back to school,” John added. “All of us can help other students out there like me, lowering their financial burden and giving them this opportunity.”

For more information on supporting the GSD, please contact the Development and Alumni Relations Office.

Photos: courtesy of John A. Mann II MUP ’01

Published February 2025