Mark Gearan

Cambridge, MA, USA

Director of the Institute of Politics

Harvard Kennedy School

Biography

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.

Mark Gearan’s Newsfeed

Gearans Named Interim Faculty Deans at Harvard

HWS President Emeritus Mark D. Gearan L.H.D. ’17, P’21 and Mary Herlihy Gearan L.H.D. ’17, P’21 have been named interim faculty deans of Winthrop House at Harvard University.Gearan, who serves as the Director of the Institute of Politics (IOP) at Harvard Kennedy School, told The Harvard Gazette, “Mary and I were honored by the invitation to serve as interim faculty deans at Winthrop House.

Harvard’s Institute of Politics releases its poll on what young Americans think about politics...

Building upon the historic impact of the youth vote in the midterm election, we will continue to see this generation step up, take action, and ensure their voices are accounted for in our elections.” said Mark D. Gearan, Director of the Institute of Politics at Harvard Kennedy School."

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.

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.

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.

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Current Non-Executive 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.

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.

Previous Non-Executive 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.

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.

Mark Gearan’s Education

Georgetown University Law Center

Juris Doctor

Harvard University

BA Government cum laude

Mark Gearan

Cambridge, MA, USA

Biography

Mark Gearan’s Newsfeed

Mark Gearan’s Background

Current Non-Executive Positions

Previous Non-Executive Positions

Philanthropy

Mark Gearan’s Education