September Student/Alumni Spotlight – Dr. Meghna Middha

From a Small City in India to Harvard: A Journey of Purpose, Possibility, and Psychology

Growing up in a small city in India, the idea of studying at Harvard University seemed like an impossible dream maybe too distant, too grand, too unreal. And yet, here I am today, standing at the threshold of

graduating!

What once felt like a faraway wish has turned into a life-changing reality. But Harvard has been much more than a degree for me. It entered my life at just the right moment…when COVID-19 had brought the world to a standstill, and I was already holding a Ph.D. in English Literature with a focus on gender and narrative representation in media. My research had always been interdisciplinary, exploring individuals who did not conform to societal norms, who moved against the grain, and whose emotional and psychological journeys fascinated me.

I was seeking a deeper understanding of these human experiences not just through literature but through psychology. That’s when Harvard happened. The program didn’t just give me an academic foundation rather it gave me vision, community, and clarity. It introduced me to the power of applied clinical psychology, the healing capacity of music, the transformative role of lifestyle medicine, and the urgent need to understand identity formation in the age of social media.

More importantly, it gave me access to world-class professors who truly care, to classmates from across the globe, and to a community that encourages you to think big and stay grounded. Being on campus, connecting with faculty, and walking across Harvard Yard felt like stepping into a dream. But it was a dream that also demanded introspection and action.

Harvard helped me ask myself the most important questions:

Why am I here? What is my purpose? How can I serve others with what I’ve learned?

Today, I find those answers in my work with adolescents and young adults. I serve as a school counselor in India and mentor high school researchers globally through Lumiere Education, where I guide students in exploring gender, identity, and mental health. I see myself not only as an educator, but as someone committed to offering young people a more holistic, grounded, and compassionate understanding of themselves especially in an age where technology and social media often blur the lines of identity and well-being.

Looking ahead, I am actively working toward licensure and equivalence in India, understanding the

pathways to practice ethically and effectively within my home country. I have completed internships,worked within school settings, and am determined to channel everything I have gained at Harvard into building something meaningful…something that combines education, psychology, and heart.

Harvard didn’t just give me a credential.

It gave me a calling.

✨Nominate Now!We are seeking nominations to recognize and celebrate the incredible work of HES students and alumni in the field of psychology. Whether you know someone making a difference or want to share your own achievements, we encourage you to submit—self-nominations are welcome! ✉️email us at hespsc@g.harvard.edu