Richard C. Levin

Richard C. Levin
Name	Richard C. Levin
Birth date	7 April 1947
Birth place	San Francisco, California, U.S.
Education	Stanford University (BA), University of Oxford (B.Litt.), Yale University (MA, PhD)
Occupation	Economist, academic administrator
Spouse	Jane Levin
Known for	President of Yale University (1993–2013), CEO of Coursera (2014–2017)

Richard C. Levin. Richard Charles Levin is an American economist and academic administrator who served as the longest-tenured president of Yale University in the modern era. His transformative leadership from 1993 to 2013 oversaw a dramatic expansion of the university's physical campus, a revitalization of its relationship with the city of New Haven, and a significant globalization of its programs. Following his tenure at Yale, Levin led the online education platform Coursera and has served on several corporate and nonprofit boards, including American Express and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.

Early life and education

Richard Levin was born in San Francisco and raised in the city's Pacific Heights neighborhood. He completed his undergraduate studies in Stanford University's prestigious Department of Economics, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in 1968. Awarded a Rhodes Scholarship, he then pursued graduate studies in politics and philosophy at Oxford University, earning a Bachelor of Letters degree. He returned to the United States to complete his doctoral education at Yale University, where he received a Master of Arts in 1972 and a Doctor of Philosophy in economics in 1974 under the mentorship of renowned economists like William Nordhaus.

Academic career

Upon completing his doctorate, Levin joined the faculty of Yale University as an assistant professor in the Department of Economics in 1974. He rose through the academic ranks, becoming a full professor and establishing a respected research career focused on the economics of technological change, particularly within the railroad industry and the semiconductor industry. His scholarly work earned him a named professorship, the Frederick William Beinecke Professor of Economics. Levin also took on significant administrative roles, serving as chairman of the economics department and later as dean of Yale's Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, where he gained crucial experience in university governance.

Presidency of Yale University

Appointed in 1993, Levin's presidency marked a period of unprecedented growth and modernization for Yale University. He launched a series of major capital projects, including the construction of new residential colleges like Pauli Murray and Benjamin Franklin Colleges, and significant expansions for the Yale School of Management and the Yale School of Medicine. He forged a stronger partnership with the city of New Haven, championing the Yale Homebuyer Program and supporting downtown revitalization. A hallmark of his tenure was the globalization of Yale, exemplified by the Yale Center Beijing and partnerships with institutions like the National University of Singapore. He also oversaw the coeducation of the Yale Corporation's senior societies and initiated a major financial aid reform to increase accessibility.

Post-Yale career and public service

After stepping down from the Yale presidency in 2013, Levin was named the CEO of the online education company Coursera in 2014, a position he held until 2017. He has served on the corporate boards of American Express, Cigna, and Samsung, and on the nonprofit boards of the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and the Asia Society. In the realm of public service, President Barack Obama appointed him to the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST). He has also been a senior advisor to the private equity firm Andreessen Horowitz and returned to teaching as a senior lecturer at the Yale School of Management.

Awards and honors

Throughout his career, Levin has received numerous accolades recognizing his leadership and service. These include the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship in his youth and several honorary doctorates from institutions such as Harvard University, Princeton University, and the University of Oxford. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the American Philosophical Society. For his contributions to international understanding, he was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star by the Government of Japan.

Personal life

Richard Levin is married to Jane Levin, a senior lecturer in the Classics Department at Yale University. The couple has four children. An avid fan of the Boston Red Sox, he is also known for his commitment to running, having completed the New York City Marathon on multiple occasions. He maintains an active role in the civic and cultural life of New Haven.

Category:1947 births Category:Living people Category:American economists Category:Yale University faculty Category:Presidents of Yale University Category:Rhodes Scholars