Student Profile: Spencer Hagist, MPP Class of 2023

Spencer Hagist grew up with an unusual perspective on US and national governments. Originally from North Kingstown, Rhode Island, his family transplanted to Ireland during some of Hagist’s most formative years. “That move certainly taught me about the impermanence of ‘home’ and the value of a global outlook.”

Since reaching adulthood, Hagist hasn’t lived in one place for longer than three years. “While the idea of ‘home’ still brings to mind North Kingstown, I no longer really identify with it. I’m from wherever I need to be from.”

Hagist admits, however, that this sense of purpose and outreach, combined with a selfless force driving him to bounce between countries depending on his own utility, was not always such a prominent part of his personality. “In my senior year of high school, I remember walking up the aisle to receive the award for highest SAT score in the school and I heard a kid whisper, ‘He’s smart?’ I was an awful high school student. I never did my homework, and I got rejected from all the colleges to which I’d applied. And I realized, what a waste. I have potential that I should be using to help someone somewhere.”

Hagist still has his Columbia rejection letter, saying it reminds him of his failure and the disappointment which motivated him through the toughest periods of his life. After a year at University of Connecticut, he transferred to NYU and soon graduated with honors and a degree in Philosophy and Economics. He went on to complete several courses at Harvard, and when applying to Master of Public Policy programs rejected Columbia’s offer in favor of Harris.

Throughout his undergraduate years, Hagist was dedicated to economic development in Sub-Saharan Africa. He wrote his honors thesis on the economic impacts of charitable giving in African countries but switched lanes after becoming close with several Chinese students who were involved in US-China relations and the Chinese national budget. Hagist uprooted and moved to China to, in his words, “start from scratch on this issue."

“Economics can tell you important things, but it can’t tell you who people are or where they come from,” Hagist said. This mindset has influenced why, whenever possible, he chooses to physically move to his area of focus. “I want to better see how people living in these countries experience policy and what they talk about.” Several years in Taipei and two more in Beijing subsequently built his competence in Mandarin and effectively introduced him to the Chinese side of US international relations to which he is currently devoted.

When Hagist discusses his view of the world, he speaks of obligation and purpose as his true motivators and acknowledges that his own talent and potential require him to push toward greater and greater ideals. “I’m coming to Harris pursuing self-improvement, which I intend to devote to global improvement.” Hagist plans to focus on finance, data analytics, and economics during his time at Harris and seek out research opportunities, especially ones connected to BFI China, an institute dedicated to US-China economic relations. Hagist identifies the director, Professor Zhiguo He, as an inspiration and “the head of everything I want to do right now.”

For anyone considering policy, Hagist has this final thought. “You do have other obligations, that is an important factor, but you have to make sure that there’s something you’re doing to push yourself forward just for you. Ask yourself: Is it also for me and my vision of what’s good?”