Kazavion Harris - From Dallas to The Mecca
I’m Kazavion Harris, a Dallas, TX native and Allen High School grad who’s always had a passion for making student life better. Back in high school, I led the Student Leadership Council and competed on the debate and mock trial teams. I helped push for changes like moving IDs from plastic to digital and finding creative ways to keep students engaged in class. I also loved mentoring freshmen and leading orientation to make sure everyone felt welcome.
Outside the classroom, I’ve been active in One Community Church and Kappa League, where I learned the importance of service and teamwork. Now at Howard, I’m excited to bring that same energy to the Freshman class and help us all make the most of this journey together.
Protecting Our Investment, Elevating Our Experience
Textbooks & Student Fees: Pay Once, Use Once
Howard students shouldn’t have to run GoFundMe pages just to afford books.
Students pay hundreds in student fees that don’t clearly translate into resources we actually use. For example, I paid $300 in the summer for a “student fee,” then had to spend another $200 out of pocket for textbooks once I got to campus. That isn’t fair or sustainable.
The Plan:
- Demand transparency: break down where student fees actually go.
- Reallocate part of the books and supplies fee so students can directly purchase textbooks at wholesale rates in the bookstore.
- Pilot a “textbook credit” model, where students use prepaid funds at the bookstore instead of paying twice.
Transportation & Shuttles: Affordable, Reliable Access
Transportation is the foundation of access. We deserve safe, affordable, and dependable options.
Howard is not part of the Metro U-Pass program, which nearby schools enjoy for just $1 a day. At the same time, shuttles are inconsistent, often late, and don’t serve students during peak needs. Together, these issues leave many of us paying for expensive Ubers and risking safety late at night.
The Plan:
- Advocate for Howard to join U-Pass by reallocating—not raising—fees.
- Push for real-time shuttle tracking, stronger accountability, and extended hours.
Affordability & Scholarships: Respecting Every Student
If we’re paying $64,000, we deserve a $64,000 experience—not less.
Howard’s cost of attendance is over $64,000. But the reality is that most students don’t have that kind of money. Over 70% of us have high financial need, and many are first-generation. Yet scholarships often rely on strict GPA rules or don’t account for students’ real situations.
The Plan:
- Advocate for more inclusive scholarship guidelines that consider need, activity, and leadership—not just GPA.
- Push for financial audits that show exactly how fees are used, so we can fight for more resources that support students with burdens, not just those who can already afford tuition.
- Expand scholarship awareness and mentorship so freshmen know how to access resources early.
Dining: More Options, More Respect
Freshmen largely rely on a handful of dining options, which are limited, overcrowded, or not healthy enough. For the amount we pay, we deserve choices that reflect both our cultural diversity and our health needs.
The Plan:
Expand dining hall options, add affordable grab-and-go stations across campus, and prioritize healthier choices that match our investment.
First-Year Support & Community
Freshman year should feel like entering a family, not just surviving.
Many of us are from out of state, navigating D.C. systems for the first time.
The Plan:
Build structured mentorship pairings, launch hometown clubs, and strengthen orientation support so freshmen feel included from day one.
Amplifying Male Voices
Male students—especially freshmen—face unique housing, social, and representation challenges. Their concerns deserve focused attention without taking away from other voices.
The Plan:
Hold open forums for men’s issues, advocate for equitable dorm resources, and ensure freshmen males feel represented and supported.