Mark D. Gearan | Official Profile on The Marque

Mark Gearan’s Biography

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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... 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. moreless

Mark Gearan’s Newsfeed

Young Americans Are 'More Hopeful About The Future', Poll Finds

"As millennials and Gen Z become the largest voting bloc, their values and participation provide hope for the future and also a sense of urgency that our country must address the pressing issues that concern them," said Mark Gearan, Director of the Harvard Kennedy School's Institute of Politics.

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

University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service

Dean's Advisory Board

Jul 2022 - Present

Arkansas City, AR, USA

University of Arkansas’ Clinton School of Public Service serves as a graduate institute for students interested in a career of public service. The school is situated on the grounds of the Clinton Presidential Center.

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 | 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 of Directors

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 of Directors

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 | 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 | 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 | 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 of Directors

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.

Media

Fast Forum with Symone Sanders

Moderator

Jun 2020

Cambridge, MA, USA

Symone Sanders reflects on her campaign experience and discusses her work advancing issues of equity, justice, and social transformation. The conversation is moderated by IOP Director Mark Gearan.

Fast Forum with George Stephanopoulos

Moderator

Apr 2020

Cambridge, MA, USA

George Stephanopoulos joined IOP Director Mark D. Gearan for a conversation on the COVID-19 crisis, the role of media in coverage, and his experience testing positive for the disease.

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Academic Appointments

Harvard College

Interim Faculty Dean | Winthrop House

Jul 2019 - Aug 2020

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.

Speaking Engagements

How national service can bring America together

Speaker

Mar 2021

Cambridge, MA, USA

To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Peace Corps, Harvard College senior Vivian Herbert wore her red AmeriCorps jacket as she introduced a recent John F. Kennedy Jr. Forum event featuring two “champions of the Peace Corps,” Senator Chris Coons of Delaware and Mark Gearan, director of the Kennedy School’s Institute of Politics.

Spring 2021 IOP Fellows Forum: Part 2

Moderator

Feb 2021

Cambridge, MA, USA

In Part 2 of the Fellows forum, moderator Mark Gearan welcomes the Institute's Spring 2021 Fellows, as well as special guests Governor Steve Bullock, Bonnie Glick, and Mayor Michael Tubbs.

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Mark Gearan’s Education

Georgetown University Law Center

Juris Doctor

Harvard University

BA, cum laude | Government