Search Process

MIT’s next president will be selected according to a process set forth in the bylaws of the MIT Corporation, which state that the Corporation’s Executive Committee shall recommend to the Corporation the names of candidates for president. Once candidates have been put forth, the members of the Corporation will elect the president by majority vote.  

To ensure a rich pool of candidates, a search committee has been appointed and includes representation from faculty, students, staff, and the Corporation. The search committee chair, John W. Jarve ’78, SM ’79, is a longtime MIT volunteer, life member of the Corporation, and a former president of the MIT Alumni Association. The members of the committee have a deep understanding of MIT, have complementary backgrounds, and will broadly represent the varied communities that collectively make the Institute strong.

The committee’s first task will be outreach and discussion with MIT faculty, students, staff, and alumni, as well as leaders in higher education, to gain perspectives on the following broad questions: What are the greatest opportunities for MIT in the next decade? What are the major issues facing MIT and higher education in general? What personal characteristics and attributes are important in our next president? Who could be MIT’s next leader?

After the committee has completed this outreach, a global search for our next president will begin. Candidates will include distinguished scholars who possess proven leadership skills; have shown deep appreciation for science, engineering, the humanities, and their many intersections; understand innovation in today’s world; embrace a highly inclusive culture; and promote diversity in all areas. 

This will be a significant undertaking conducted under strict confidentiality. The committee hopes the search will conclude by fall 2022.