Three exceptional Department of Government undergraduates have been selected as recipients of the prestigious Schwarzman Scholarship. Eduardo Vasconcelos Goyanna Filho ’25, Isabelle King ’25, and Leo Gerdén ’25 are among the distinguished cohort of 150 scholars chosen from a global pool of nearly 5,000 candidates.
The Schwarzman Scholarship, known for its rigorous selection process, identifies candidates with outstanding leadership potential, intellect, and strength of character. This year, 12 Harvard scholars were selected to embark on this transformative journey, beginning a fully-funded one-year master’s degree in global affairs at Schwarzman College, Tsinghua University in Beijing, in August 2025.
Eduardo Vasconcelos Goyanna Filho, concentrating in Economics and Government, has demonstrated his leadership through roles such as as co-president of two key student organizations and the co-founder of Young Peacebuilders, Brazil’s leading NGO for preventing school violence. His dedication to mitigating school violence in Brazil and experience with renowned institutions, such as the World Bank, highlights his commitment to impactful leadership. In 2023, he was listed in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list of Brazil under the category “Science and Education.”
He said: “The Government Department has had a truly fundamental role in my journey at the College and my application to the Schwarzman Scholarship. My recommender for the scholarship was Professor Steven Levitsky, and my advisor throughout the process was Professor Nara Dillon. Additionally, I am writing my senior thesis in the Government Department, without a doubt my favorite department at the College.”
Isabelle King, with a focus on Government and a citation in Chinese, exemplifies her global outlook through her work with the Harvard International Review. Her passion for foreign policy and in-depth research on political violence in the Sahel are a testament to her commitment to global security issues.
Isabelle said: “I applied for the Schwarzman Scholarship because it uniquely combines a focus on leadership with global affairs. While there are many universities and scholarships with programs in China, Schwarzman stood out to me in that its scholars come from a wide array of cross-cultural research and professional fields.
“I’m most looking forward to experiencing the similarities and differences between American and Chinese elite institutions. I’m excited to compare not only the academics and research but also the cultures between Harvard and Tsinghua.”
Leo Gerdén, concentrating in Economics (honors track) and Government, has developed a wealth of political experience, gaining hands-on experience in effective policy making, crisis management, and political communication. Leo is passionate about economic and foreign policy and aims to pursue a career in politics in Sweden and the European Union.
“The Government department has truly driven my curiosity to learn more about the world,” Leo added. “That in itself was my most fundamental reason for applying. Thank you for all you have given me in preparation for this endeavor.”
We extend our congratulations to Eduardo, Isabelle, and Leo on their remarkable achievements.