Actress Jessica Chastain Takes On Educational Venture at Harvard Kennedy School
Jessica Chastain, the acclaimed actress known for her advocacy for gender equality and women's rights, has taken an unexpected turn in her career. In 2025, she enrolled in a two-year Master in Public Administration (MPA) program at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government[1].
This program, renowned for its emphasis on public policy, leadership, and administration skills, is designed to prepare students for roles in government, nonprofits, and public service[1]. While specific details about Chastain's curriculum, exact start date, or specialization were not disclosed, the MPA curriculum is known for its flexibility, allowing students to create a study plan that reflects their academic interests.
Chastain's decision to pursue this degree comes after a successful career in the entertainment industry. She made her film debut in 2008 in "Jolene" and went on to make a name for herself on Broadway in "The Heiress" in 2012. In 2021, she earned the Academy Award for best actress, plus a Critics Choice Award and SAG Award, for her work as Tammy Faye Bakker opposite Andrew Garfield as Jim Bakker in "The Eyes of Tammy Faye."
Before her rise to stardom, Chastain relied on Planned Parenthood for birth control services[2]. This personal connection to the organisation may have influenced her decision to become an outspoken advocate for its work. In 2017, she was honoured at Variety's Power of Women luncheon in New York City for her work with Planned Parenthood[3].
In addition to her acting career, Chastain has been an advocate for women's rights and gender equality. She has repeatedly spoken out about the importance of access to affordable reproductive health care, stating that it allows a woman to have the equal opportunity of her male counterparts of having jurisdiction over her body, her life, and her health[4].
In the summer of 2025, Chastain was spotted taking classes at the Cambridge, Massachusetts graduate school, further confirming her enrollment in the MPA program[5]. She also received an honorary doctorate from Juilliard in 2024 for her "outstanding contributions" to the fields of film and theatre[6].
The MPA program is for aspiring leaders with real-world experience, and it seems that Chastain, with her extensive career and advocacy work, fits the bill perfectly. As she embarks on this new journey, it will be interesting to see how her skills and passion for women's rights will translate into the field of public administration.
[1] Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government [2] Chastain's Planned Parenthood advocacy [3] Variety's Power of Women luncheon [4] Chastain's speech at the 2018 Women's March [5] Chastain's MPA classes at Harvard [6] Juilliard's honorary doctorate for Chastain
Worldwide, Jessica Chastain's pursuit of a Master in Public Administration (MPA) at Harvard University emphasizes her interest in education-and-self-development beyond her acting career. As a celebrated actress, Chastain's dedication to health issues such as reproductive rights and Planned Parenthood support demonstrates her commitment to advocating for women's rights, an aspect that might find expression in her future endeavors related to public administration and entertainment.
