Dear members of the FAS community,
I write today to celebrate the exceptional leadership of Dean Rakesh Khurana, who will complete his tenure as the Danoff Dean of Harvard College at the end of this academic year. As the longest-serving Harvard College Dean in more than a century, Dean Khurana has had a profound impact on our community, guiding the College through both periods of renewal and unprecedented challenge, with a vision rooted in empathy, inclusivity, and a fundamental commitment to Veritas.
The energy and joy Dean Khurana brings to his role are unmistakable. From the dining halls to practice fields, libraries, and performance spaces, Dean Khurana is somehow everywhere. He is quick to laugh and always on the move, delighting in the accomplishments of our students, supporting them in moments of challenge, and learning from the perspectives and experiences they bring to our community. For so many students and alumni, he has been not only a mentor, advisor, and advocate, but also a friend. And he would be the first to tell you that what drives and inspires him is the opportunity to be with “our amazing students.”
Dean Khurana’s academic expertise lies in the study of leadership and organizational sociology, understanding the role of purpose and meaning in leadership, the dynamics of organizational culture, and the ways in which institutions shape ethical behavior. In 2010, he brought those insights to Cabot House, where he and his wife, Stephanie, served as Faculty Deans until 2020. The experience affected him deeply, and he has called it “one of the most amazing gifts of my professional life.”
Living in a House community, Dean Khurana came to know Cabot residents not just as brilliant and promising students, but also as young people in a state of becoming. He saw students from all over the world asking themselves similar questions about the meaning and purpose of their lives as they charted their paths at Harvard. The experience provided him with a unique perspective on the personal and social, as well as intellectual dimensions of a Harvard College education, and reinforced for him a belief in the value of strong, connected communities. This helped to shape his articulation of the Harvard College mission – with which he begins every meeting – emphasizing citizenship, service to society, and learning from differences of life experiences, topics, identities, and interests.
That mission came under particular challenge during the COVID-19 global pandemic. As Harvard sought to both safeguard the health and safety of the community while continuing to deliver a Harvard-quality educational experience, Dean Khurana demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability, providing critical insights and expertise essential to the scenario planning undertaken by the Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
With a dogged determination to create the conditions for the College mission to thrive, Dean Khurana’s commitment to inclusion has become a hallmark of his tenure. Over the course of his deanship, he has worked to support what has become the most diverse undergraduate student body, across all measures, in Harvard’s history. He has consistently championed efforts, such as his signature “intellectual vitality” initiative, to ensure that Harvard College is a place where all student voices are heard, and all perspectives are welcomed with curiosity and respect. He has also advocated for spaces and organizations that reflect the diversity and shared values of our community.
Through the Office of Undergraduate Education, he has advanced programs that provide students with the resources and support they need to make authentic academic choices, irrespective of the opportunities they may have had available in high school. This commitment extends beyond policy changes; it has been a call to the entire Harvard community to build a more equitable environment where all students can flourish.
Dean Khurana has also been a strong advocate for public service, significantly expanding opportunities for students to engage in citizenship and leadership. He has emphasized the importance of a liberal arts education that goes beyond knowledge acquisition to include the development of character and civic duty. These efforts have not only enriched the educational experience for students, but also reinforced Harvard’s commitment to fostering socially conscious leaders who are prepared to tackle the world’s most pressing challenges.
As we reflect on Dean Khurana’s tenure, we recognize not only his numerous accomplishments but also his distinctive leadership style, characterized by approachability and a genuine commitment to listening to the voices across the entire Harvard community. And no one can take a better selfie, as evidenced by his engaging Instagram account, affectionately known as the Deanstagram, which captures his daily gratitude for this community of students. I am particularly grateful for Rakesh’s continued service this past year, providing continuity during the changes in leadership at the FAS and the University. During my first year as FAS Dean, I benefited enormously from his deep knowledge and experience, as well as his friendship.
I will soon launch the search process to identify Dean Khurana’s successor. In that effort, I will be supported by a faculty search advisory committee and will seek input from students, staff, faculty, and alumni. I hope that you will be willing to share your insights and perspectives in this process, as we have big shoes to fill.
Please join me in celebrating Dean Rakesh Khurana’s exceptional service to Harvard College and to the Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
Sincerely,
Hopi
Hopi Hoekstra
Edgerley Family Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences
C. Y. Chan Professor of Arts and Sciences
Xiaomeng Tong and Yu Chen Professor of Life Sciences