Harvard University, amid its quest for a new president, has enlisted the leadership of Vivian Y. Hunt, a distinguished Black business executive, to navigate the institution through its “challenges and opportunities.”
As reported by The Harvard Crimson, Hunt, an alumna of Harvard Business School renowned for her advocacy for diversity and impactful leadership, has been named the president of the board of overseers for the 2024-2025 academic year.
With three overseers serving on Harvard University’s presidential search committee, Hunt’s appointment holds strategic significance, as the president of the overseers has historically been pivotal in past presidential searches, including the selection of former president Claudine Gay in 2022.
Joining Hunt is Tyler Jacks, the founding director of the Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT and fellow Harvard University alum, who assumes the role of board vice chair. Jacks, a member of the previous presidential search committee, brings invaluable experience to the leadership team.
In a statement, Hunt expressed her commitment to collaborating closely with Interim President Garber and stakeholders to uphold excellence, inclusion, and world-class leadership throughout the institution.
Harvard’s decision to appoint Hunt follows the resignation of former president Claudine Gay in January 2024 amidst allegations of plagiarism and campus antisemitism. In her resignation announcement, Gay highlighted the racial animus she faced, including personal attacks and threats.
While Hunt’s appointment marks a significant development, Harvard University is yet to announce its presidential search committee, indicating that the process may not be expedited despite the leadership transition within the board of overseers.
