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.
