New Associate Vice President and Dean for FAS Development

Dear colleagues,

We are pleased to announce that Michael Faber will join Harvard as the next Associate Vice President and Dean for FAS Development, effective August 25, 2025.

Michael brings to this role more than 25 years of experience in fundraising and external relations at some of the nation’s leading research universities. His career began at Harvard, and he now returns with a distinguished record of advancing institutional priorities and leading multibillion-dollar comprehensive campaigns.

Michael currently serves as the Vice President of Medical and Health Sciences Advancement at The Ohio State University. In this role, he has overseen efforts to raise $300 million annually in support of seven health science colleges, the medical center, and 20 affiliated research institutes. Under his leadership, his 100-person team contributed more than $2 billion toward Ohio State’s recently completed $5.4 billion campaign, supporting research, education, and clinical initiatives.

Previously, Michael held senior roles at the University of California San Francisco, including as the Associate Vice Chancellor of Development and Alumni Relations. There, he secured complex, transformational gifts for scientific initiatives ranging from basic research to translational science—including raising significant support for the largest basic science PhD program in the history of the University of California.

Having worked at Harvard from 1998 to 2006, Michael has a deep appreciation for the vital role philanthropy plays in both the FAS and the University overall.  As the Deputy Director for University Science Development, he developed philanthropic strategies for emerging, cross-disciplinary initiatives that frequently spanned schools, such as the origins of life, neuroscience, stem cell research, systems biology, string theory, and environmental science. Michael also spent two years as an advisor to MIT President Susan Hockfield and her senior leadership team, helping to advance key institutional priorities.

Michael is a strategic and entrepreneurial leader, adept at navigating complex organizations and building high-performing, mission-driven teams. His approach is grounded in trust, accountability and collaboration – qualities that have enabled him to align fundraising operations with institutional priorities and long-term vision.

We are confident that Michael’s leadership will usher in an exciting new chapter for FAS Development and for Harvard’s broader advancement efforts. We look forward to the energy and insight he will bring to this important work in the years to come.

Please join us in warmly welcoming Michael back to the Harvard community.

Hopi and Jim

For more information, please see this Harvard Gazette article.

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

Jim Husson

Vice President for Alumni Affairs and Development