OUR MISSION
The mission of The Academies by Harvard Student Agencies is to provide opportunities for high school students that transcend traditional classroom topics. We hope to be the connection between students from all backgrounds and Harvard-quality exploratory courses. Through collaborative work with peers across the globe and access to trained Harvard undergraduate instructors, we are dedicated to helping all students feel confident in navigating their futures.
OUR HISTORY
The Summer Business Academy was launched as an initiative under HSA Tutoring in 2014. Over the next four years, The Academies expanded rapidly, adding programs in new subjects. In 2018, The Academies was established as an independent agency within Harvard Student Agencies, the largest student-run business in the world.
In light of the pandemic, The Academies was forced to reorient, and opted toward online programming, known then as The Academies @HOME. This virtual instruction has persisted post-pandemic in the form of our Virtual Academies, still incredibly popular with students around the globe.
Meet the Team
Our executive team is composed of seven Harvard undergraduate managers who directly oversee all aspects of The Academies. Our panel of advisors includes faculty at Harvard University, esteemed business professionals, and corporate members of Harvard Student Agencies.
Colin Bligh
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Colin is a sophomore in Lowell House from Medfield, Massachusetts, concentrating in Economics and History. Outside of HSA, Colin enjoys playing on the Harvard Rugby Football Club and volunteering with A Shot For Life, a non-profit cancer research charity that fundraises through sports. Colin enjoys spending time running along the Charles River, beach days down the Cape, summer nights at Fenway, and spending time with his mother, father, two sisters, and dog.
Lachlan Ho
OPERATIONS & STRATEGY DIRECTOR
Lachlan is a sophomore from London who is concentrating in psychology. In his free time you'll probably find him at the gym, training for his next competition with the Harvard powerlifting club. He is also really into fashion and he hopes to get a sewing machine in his Quincy dorm to continue his previous projects of making his own clothes and upcycling his current wardrobe.
Ty Fein
OPERATIONS & PERSONNEL MANAGER
Ty is a first-year from Concord, Massachusetts, living in Stoughton Hall. He intends to concentrate in Economics. Along with his role at HSA, Ty is a member of the Football team. In his free time he loves to read, play video games, watch sports, and wrestle with Einstein’s field equations in his free time!
Angie Li
ACADEMIC & PERSONNEL DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
Angelina is a first-year from Connecticut and China living in Weld! She is planning on studying History, History of Art and Architecture, and Economics. She loves puzzles, especially New York Times games, and exploring all the good eats around Boston!
Michael Mauro
MARKETING ANALYTICS MANAGER
Michael Mauro is a freshman in Grays Hall planning on studying economics. He is from Long Island, New York. Outside of HSA, Michael plays club hockey and enjoys hanging out with friends and going to the beach. His favorite sports team is the New York Islanders.
Charlie Meyer
PARTNERSHIPS MANAGER
Charlie Meyer is a first-year from East Aurora, New York living in Straus Hall. Charlie plans on studying Economics and Astrophysics. Outside of HSA, you will find him hitting the gym, watching the Bills, and pushing the Pinocchio's + El Jefe's agenda. As a native Buffalonian, Charlie is still searching for valid chicken wings in Boston.
Mariano Moad Valenzuela
CREATIVE MARKETING MANAGER
Mariano is a freshman at Harvard living in Holworthy, double concentrating in Psychology and Economics. He is from Queretaro, Mexico, and also lived in Brazil and Sweden. He loves people, playing badminton and practicing the violin. He lives by his motto "Always Attitude".