Leading a Harris Student Organization: What BePP Taught Me Beyond the Classroom

Rhea Mendiratta, MPP Class of 2026, writes about the skills she built as president of the Behavioral Science and Public Policy (BePP) Harris Student Organization.

When I started at the Harris School of Public Policy, I knew I wanted to study behavioral science in a structured way. Although I had previously used elements of behavioral science at work and seen first-hand how powerful it can be when applied well, I wanted to develop that skill more intentionally at Harris and with a focus on policy.

Before taking behavioral science classes, however, I discovered the Behavioral Science and Public Policy (BePP) Harris Student Organization (HSO) at the Harris Student Organizations fair. I joined the group and led communications in my first year, and now I serve as BePP's president.

Leading BePP has taught me a few lessons that I did not expect.

First, getting people's attention is an important and transferable skill. Even if your idea is strong, people will not engage unless you present it in an accessible, compelling, and timely way. We saw when planning events that a well-designed session could still struggle if it competed with academic deadlines, recruiting events, or simply a busy time in the quarter. I had to learn how to frame an idea, choose the right time, and make the value clear to Harris students, our stakeholders. These are the same skills we need in policy when we ask stakeholders to consider a new or overlooked issue, perspective, or idea.

Second, working on a diverse team is its own education. Harris brings together students from many countries and work backgrounds, which means there is diversity in how people make decisions, plan, and communicate. Leading a team in this setting means you need to listen with care and make space for different working styles. I learned to navigate different cultural norms, communication styles, and working preferences, and this experience has made me more thoughtful about how I work with others.

Third, student organizations give you a platform and a budget to build things and add value. You can test ideas and create spaces that do not yet exist. At BePP, we use that space in a few ways, from hosting lunch sessions with faculty so students can engage with behavioral science without taking a full course to inviting practitioners to talk about how they use these tools in policy roles. BePP has also been a great way to meet leaders in the field and network, so if you are the kind of person who revels in initiating projects and/or building communities, working on an HSO team provides the resources for that.

My advice, if you are considering Harris (or any graduate program, really), is to find a student organization that matches something you care about and commit to it. You will likely be surprised by how the experience complements your understanding of the field and enhances your network!