Matine Khalighi ’25 is an Economics and Middle Eastern Studies concentrator at Harvard College, living in Pforzheimer House and originally from Denver, Colorado. He joined the Intellectual Vitality Committee to support Harvard’s mission of fostering spaces for critical thought and engagement on challenging topics. Before Harvard, Matine led a national nonprofit dedicated to increasing access to higher education for students experiencing homelessness, an experience that deepened his belief in education’s transformative power for individuals and society.
Through his studies of the Middle East, Matine has delved into the dynamics of democracy, authoritarianism, public opinion, and conflict resolution, with a particular focus on how public perceptions shape engagement with governments and influence political landscapes. Outside the classroom, he serves as the President of the Harvard Persian Association and works as a fitness instructor at Harvard Recreation, where he shares his enthusiasm for wellness and community building.