Mark D. Gearan

Mark D. Gearan is an American educator and public servant who served as the Director of the Peace Corps and as the White House Deputy Chief of Staff during the Clinton administration. He is best known for his transformative, 17-year tenure as President of Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, New York, where he significantly enhanced the institutions' academic profile and civic engagement. Gearan has held numerous leadership roles on national boards dedicated to higher education, public service, and community development.

Early life and education

Born in Gardner, Massachusetts, Gearan was raised in a family with a strong commitment to public service and community involvement. He pursued his undergraduate education at Harvard University, where he graduated with a degree in government. Following his time at Harvard, Gearan earned his Juris Doctor from the Georgetown University Law Center, an institution renowned for its focus on law and public policy.

Career in public service

Gearan's career in the public sector began with roles in Massachusetts state government, including serving as Press Secretary for Michael Dukakis during his tenure as Governor of Massachusetts. He later worked on several political campaigns at the national level. During the Clinton administration, Gearan held two significant positions: first as the White House Deputy Chief of Staff, where he managed communications and daily operations, and subsequently as the Director of the Peace Corps. As the 16th Director of the Peace Corps, he oversaw the agency's expansion into new countries and emphasized the role of technology and public-private partnerships in its mission.

Presidency of Hobart and William Smith Colleges

In 1999, Gearan was appointed the 27th President of Hobart and William Smith Colleges, a role he held until 2017. His presidency was marked by a significant strengthening of the colleges' academic offerings, including the establishment of the Centers for Civic Engagement and Community Service. He spearheaded major fundraising campaigns that enhanced campus facilities, such as the Stern Hall expansion and the construction of the Gearan Center for the Performing Arts, named in his honor. Under his leadership, the colleges saw increased national recognition for their programs in environmental studies, writing and rhetoric, and global education.

Civic and board leadership

Beyond his college presidency, Gearan has been extensively involved in leadership roles for prominent national and educational organizations. He has served as Chair of the National Commission on Military, National, and Public Service and as a member of the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board. He has held board positions with the American Council on Education, the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, and the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities. Gearan also serves on the board of the Corporation for National and Community Service and has been a trustee for institutions like the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.

Personal life

Mark Gearan is married to Mary Herlihy Gearan, an attorney and former Assistant White House Counsel during the Clinton administration. The couple has two daughters. He maintains active involvement with his alma maters, Harvard University and Georgetown University Law Center, and resides in Geneva, New York.

Category:American educators Category:American public servants Category:1956 births Category:Living people