Social Connection Fellow
Trey Leveque (he/him) is a lifelong learner, cross-sector leader, and advocate passionate about mental health, well-being, and the power of community in fostering connection. He is currently pursuing a Master in Public Policy (MPP) at the Harvard Kennedy School (HKS).
Before starting his MPP program, Trey served as the Engagement Chief of Staff for the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General, where he led engagement efforts to address key public health challenges, including youth mental health, social connection, and overall well-being.
Prior to that, Trey worked on Michelle Obama’s Reach Higher Initiative as their Texting Communication Associate, supporting first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented students in accessing higher education. His involvement with Reach Higher began in 2017 when he was appointed to their inaugural Student Advisory Board. Trey later served as a 2018 Summer Fellow in Washington, D.C., and as the UpNext Program Associate, where he helped connect over 300,000 students to educational resources through texting interventions.
Community has always been at the heart of Trey’s work. He has been actively involved in organizations such as Special Olympics Arizona, Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Arizona, and Boy Scouts of America. Trey has also worked extensively on voter engagement and youth participation initiatives.
Raised in Arizona, Trey earned his Bachelor of Arts from Arizona State University with degrees in Business (Global Politics), Business (Law), and Business (Public Service & Public Policy) from the W. P. Carey School of Business, along with a Cross-Sector Leadership Certificate from the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions.
What drives you to work on addressing social isolation and loneliness and fostering social connection?
I believe social connection is not just a personal need, but a public good. I have seen how social isolation quietly underpins so many of today’s challenges, from declining mental health to weakened civic trust, especially among young people. This is why I am committed to building a future where a sense of belonging is the norm, not the exception.