Mark D. Gearan

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

He was President of Hobart and William Smith Colleges, where he was also a member of the Department of Political Science and guest lecturer. During his time as President, he reinforced the Colleges’ commitment to academic rigor, global understanding, study abroad opportunities and service-learning. He served as Director of the Peace Corps in Washington, D.C. and under his leadership, the Peace Corps experienced a resurgence of interest. He served in the White House as Assistant to the President and Director of Communications, as well as Deputy Chief of Staff during the Clinton administration. 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 serving as the Co-Chair of the National Advisory Board on Public Service at Harvard College and as a Member of the Presidential Advisory Group for the NCAA. He is the past chair of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for National and Community Service, the Annapolis Group and the National Campus Compact. He has served as a Board Member of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities and The Partnership for Public Service. Mark is also past Chair of the Talloires Network Steering Committee 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.