How to Send as Your Harvard Alumni Email Address from Gmail
- Paradise Rodriguez-Bordeaux
- Jun 20
- 3 min read
Abstract
This guide lets you send emails as your Harvard alumni address (e.g., ParadiseRodriguezBordeaux@alumni.harvard.edu) using Gmail’s SMTP server.
Introduction
Many Harvard alumni are disappointed to discover that their alumni email address is forwarding-only, with no dedicated inbox or traditional email access. While this change can be frustrating, there is a work-around way to maintain your Harvard identity in your professional communications. By following the steps below, you can configure Gmail to send emails as your Harvard alumni address—ensuring your messages still reflect your affiliation, even without a dedicated Harvard inbox.
1. Set Up Forwarding on Harvard Alumni Portal
Make sure your alumni email address is set to forward to your Gmail account.
Log in to Harvard Alumni Email Forwarding and confirm the forwarding destination.
2. Enable 2-Step Verification on Your Gmail Account
Go to Google Account Security.
Under "Signing in to Google," ensure 2-Step Verification is ON.
3. Generate a Gmail App Password
Go to App Passwords. ( https://myaccount.google.com/u/2/apppasswords?rapt=AEjHL4MtWRhyABmL2fELShi4Kj0Y5Em2NFx9xELijOmigkm1PjhgqFqWFsg82xALMZd963dnyo16WJQmc42A-Oz2P3mHhnq0ZXq_HFSB_Gi_mEtwLfDfvtw )
If prompted, log in and complete 2-Step Verification.
Under "Select app," choose Mail.
Under "Select device," choose Other and enter a name (e.g., "Harvard SMTP").
Click Generate.
Copy the 16-character app password (you’ll use this in a later step).
ALT- create your “app” by giving it a name. It will give you a long password. Copy it securely because it will not show again.
4. Add Your Harvard Alumni Address as a “Send As” Address in Gmail
In Gmail, click the gear icon > See all settings.
Go to the Accounts and Import tab.
Find Send mail as and click Add another email address.
Enter your name and your Harvard alumni email address.
Uncheck "Treat as an alias" (optional, but recommended for clarity).
Click Next Step
5. Configure the SMTP Server Settings
For SMTP Server, enter: smtp.gmail.com
Port: 587 (TLS) or 465 (SSL)
Username: Your full Gmail address (e.g., yourname@gmail.com) This is the one you are forwarding your alumni email to.
Password: Paste the 16-character app password you generated earlier from the app password
Select Secured connection using TLS (recommended) or SSL if you used port 465.
Click Add Account.
6. Confirm the Address
Gmail will send a confirmation code to your Harvard alumni address (which should forward to your Gmail inbox).
Copy the code from the email and paste it into the confirmation box or just click the link gmail gives you
7. Done! Start Sending as Your Alumni Address
When composing a new email in Gmail, use the “From” dropdown to select your Harvard alumni address as the sender.
SUCCESS!!
Notes & Tips
You must use your Gmail address and app password for SMTP authentication—not your Harvard alumni credentials.
Some recipients may see “sent via gmail.com” depending on their email client.
This method works because Gmail’s SMTP server authenticates you as a Gmail user, not as a Harvard alumni user.
If you have any issues, double-check each step, especially the app password and SMTP configuration.
NOTE: Have your receiver's add you to their contacts and/or check their spam if they do not get your email right away. Sometimes Gmail security settings will view the email as hidden or spam.
Share this guide with anyone who needs to send as their Harvard alumni email from Gmail!
Contact Harvard Alumni Help:
To Update Name / Degree Info, contact Alumni & Development Services : ads@harvard.edu
General HAA email: haa@harvard.edu
Help Desk Page: https://community.alumni.harvard.edu/contact-us
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About the Author:
Paradise Rodriguez-Bordeaux
🌎Global Business Strategist: Building Your Business To Sustainable Profits
🌟Empowerment Mentor | Philanthropist
A Paradise Company / Paradise Rodriguez-Bordeaux Inc.
best-selling author, entrepreneur, and thought leader.
Paradise Rodríguez-Bordeaux, 2022 Human Rights Activist and the 2023 Innovative Leadership Awards recipient, says,
"Sustainability is the bare minimum."
As an author, mentor, and mental health advocate, she is a passionate advocate for those who have faced adversity and discrimination in life. She has been a philanthropist for more than 15 years, giving back to her community by supporting organizations that provide solutions for poverty alleviation and social justice. Her work as an innovator in business solutions led to the founding of... Learn More
"We need to consistently produce effectively efficient solutions.
This world, the communities, it's all of our responsibility.
Leaders HAVE to lead."''
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