Mark Gearan

Director of the Institute of Politics

Harvard Kennedy School

Cambridge, MA, USA

Biography

Mark Gearan is the Director of the Institute of Politics at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. Prior to leading the Institute of Politics, he served as President in Residence at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education.

From 1999 to 2017, Mark was President of Hobart and William Smith Colleges, the longest-tenured President in the school’s history. In addition to his role as President, he was also a member of the Department of Political Science. During his tenure, he reinforced the Colleges’ commitment to academic rigor, global understanding, study abroad opportunities, and service-learning. Mark also served as Director of the Peace Corps, and under his leadership the program experienced a resurgence of interest. During the Clinton administration, he served as Assistant to the President and Director of Communications, as well as Deputy Chief of Staff. During the 1992 presidential campaign, he was Al Gore’s campaign manager, segueing to the position of Deputy Director of President-elect Clinton’s transition team.

A Board Member of Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, Mark’s other non-executive roles include Co-Chair of the National Advisory Board on Public Service at Harvard College and a previous role as a Member of the Presidential Advisory Group for the NCAA. Prior, he was Chair of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for National and Community Service, the Annapolis Group, and the National Campus Compact. He has also served on the Boards of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities and The Partnership for Public Service, and has been active on the advisory board of The Presidential Appointee Initiative.

Mark earned his B.A. in Government cum laude at Harvard University and his law degree at Georgetown University. He is the recipient of 12 honorary degrees.

Mark Gearan’s Newsfeed

Harvard Youth Poll: Election 2020

“More than 15 million young Americans have turned 18 since the last presidential election. The Gen-Z generation is facing a once in a lifetime experience of a global pandemic, economic instability, and racial reckoning,” said Mark Gearan, Director, Institute of Politics at Harvard Kennedy School. “Young Americans are seeing first hand how their government impacts their day to day lives and they are ready to make their voice heard in this election.”

Winthrop House Students Petition to Extend Interim Deans’ Term

The letter calls on the College to extend the terms of interim faculty deans Mark D. Gearan ’78 and Mary Herlihy-Gearan by one year ...[and] cites Gearan and Herlihy-Gearan’s “unparalleled” management of the campus evacuation and coronavirus crisis in support of their continued stewardship. “Since the College sent us all home, we felt that the Gearans as deans have provided such wonderful support in this uncertain time for everyone.”

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Mark Gearan’s Background

Harvard Kennedy School

Director of the Institute of Politics

Feb 2018 - Present

Cambridge, MA, USA

Harvard Kennedy School’s mission is to improve public policy and public leadership across the U.S. and globally, so people can lead safer, freer and more prosperous lives.

Harvard Graduate School of Education

President in Residence

2017 - 2018

Cambridge, MA, USA

Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE) believe studying and improving the enterprise of education are central to the health and future of society.

Hobart and William Smith Colleges

President

1999 - 2017

New York, NY, USA

Hobart and William Smith are independent liberal arts colleges. Mark reinforced the Colleges’ commitment to academic rigor, global understanding, study abroad opportunities and service-learning, with the goal of providing these elements through contemporary facilities and state-of-the-art technology.

The White House

Assistant to the President, Director of Communications, Deputy Chief of Staff

Washington, DC, USA

Mark served in various roles during the Clinton Administration and was Deputy Director of President-elect Clinton's transition team.

Peace Corps

Director

Washington, DC, USA

The Peace Corps was established in 1961 and its mission is to help the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women; to help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served; to help promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.

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Current Board Positions

Harvard College

Co-Chair, National Advisory Board on Public Service

Cambridge, MA, USA

Harvard College is the undergraduate liberal arts college of Harvard University. Founded in 1636, it is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and one of the most prestigious in the world.

Previous Board Positions

Campus Compact

Chair of the Board of Directors

Boston, MA, USA

The National Campus Compact advance the public purposes of over 1,000 colleges & universities by deepening their ability to improve community life and to educate students for civic and social responsibility

NAICU

Board Member

Washington, DC, USA

NAICU, National Association of Independent Colleges and Universitities, is the voice of America's independent colleges & universities and has represented private, non-profit higher education since 1976.

Partnership for Public Service

Board Member

Washington, DC, USA

The Partnership for Public Service is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that strives for a more effective government for the American people.

Brookings Institution

Advisory Board Member, The Presidential Appointee Initiative

Washington, DC, USA

The Presidential Appointee Initiative is a project of the Brookings Institution which works to revamp the process through which U.S. Presidential appointees are chosen.

The Talloires Network

Chair, Steering Committee

Medford, MA, USA

The Talloires Network is building a global movement of civically engaged and socially responsible higher education institutions.

Corporation for National & Community Service

Chair of the Board of Directors

Washington, DC, USA

The Corporation for National &Community Service is the federal agency that leads service, volunteering & grant-making efforts in the United States. They help millions of Americans improve their lives and the lives of their fellow citizens through service.

NCAA

Presidential Advisory Group

Indianapolis, IN, USA

NCAA, the National Collegiate Athletic Association, is a non-profit, member-led organization dedicated to the well-being and lifelong success of college athletes.

The Annapolis Group

Chair of the Board of Directors

Annapolis, MD, USA

The Annapolis Group of Liberal Arts Colleges comprises approximately 130 leading national independent liberal arts colleges with similar interests and concerns, centering on the values of liberal arts education that inform their missions.

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Philanthropy

RFK / Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights

Board Member

New York, NY, USA

Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, founded in 1968, is led by human rights activist and lawyer Kerry Kennedy and advocates for a more just and peaceful world. Working alongside local activists to ensure lasting positive change in governments and corporations, the RFK team includes leading attorneys, advocates, entrepreneurs and writers united by a commitment to social justice.

Academic Appointments

Harvard College

Interim Faculty Dean, Winthrop House

Jul 2019 - Present

Cambridge, MA, USA

The Faculty Dean position is one of leadership in a House community. It involves working closely with colleagues and students to mediate any issues that arise and to ensure a comfortable environment for all residents.

Mark Gearan’s Education

Georgetown University Law Center

Juris Doctor

Harvard University

BA Government cum laude