Harvard's interim president appointed to stay through 2026-27 school year

Harvard University appointed Alan Garber to serve as the 31st president through the 2026-27 academic year Friday, seven months after controversies led the previous leader to step down.

Garber became interim president of the university earlier this year, after former President Claudine Gay resigned following scandals related to antisemitism on campus and alleged plagiarism.

"Alan has done an outstanding job leading Harvard through extraordinary challenges since taking on his interim presidential duties seven months ago,” Penny Pritzker, senior fellow of the Harvard Corporation, wrote in a statement Friday. "We have asked him to hold the title of President, not just Interim President, both to recognize his distinguished service to the University and to underscore our belief that this is a time not merely for steady stewardship but for active, engaged leadership."

“Alan has led with a deep concern for all members of the Harvard community, a strong devotion to enduring university ideals, and a paramount commitment to academic excellence,” Pritzker added.

Gay, who made history as the university's first Black president, also set the record as the shortest to serve in the role in Harvard’s history. Her presidency fell apart over the course of the fall semester when the school came into the national spotlight due to campus protests against the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. Some students chanted antisemitic slogans and students of color on campus also faced vitriol and bigotry. 

The U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce subpoenaed Gay to appear before the committee, alongside other university presidents, in December, where she stirred more controversy for not giving a clear answer on whether or not students calling for the genocide of Jewish people violated the university’s code of conduct. 

The same hearing also led to the resignation of University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill in December. 

While Gay weathered that storm, conservative media published allegations that she had plagiarized parts of her college thesis and scholarship work. While she denied the allegations, she eventually resigned on Jan. 2.

Garber was then named the interim president of Harvard minutes after Gay resigned, and at the time, Pritzker told the Harvard community that a “presidential search would start in due course.” 

In her statement Friday, Pritzker said extending Garber's tenure would give the team an opportunity to "sustain and build momentum" around key priorities and initiatives.

“It will also provide an ample interval for those of us on the Corporation to reflect, in consultation with others, on how best to approach the future presidential search, including how to ensure robust input from across Harvard and beyond," she added.

Students, faculty and alumni have all criticized Harvard for an “opaque” presidential search process that does not include different perspectives within the community, per the Crimson.

Prior to taking up the presidency, Garber was Harvard’s longest-serving provost, which is the second-most senior position at the university.