Union College President David Harris today told the campus community that this will be his final academic year as president of the College.
Harris, who became Union’s 19th president in July 2018, said he will step down on June 30, 2025. He added that he has no firm plans for his future beyond Union, but said he does not intend to pursue another college or university presidency.
Harris informed the Union community via a video message sent to all students, faculty and staff in which he spoke of his passion for Union and shared the reasoning behind his decision.
By announcing his intentions to step down early in the academic year, Harris said he wanted to ensure that the College had sufficient time to identify a successor and execute an orderly leadership transition.
“My goal has always been to ensure that Union thrives now and across multiple tomorrows,” Harris said in his message to campus. “Part of that requires understanding when it is the right time to pass the baton.”
Union Board of Trustees Chair Julie Greifer Swidler ‘79 praised Harris’ accomplishments and commitment to Union.
“The entire Union community owes David a debt of gratitude for his effective leadership over the past six years,” Swidler said. “His commitment to students, his passion for Union’s distinct mission and his boundless energy will combine to leave a lasting positive legacy.
“I have every confidence we will be able to attract outstanding candidates for this position, in large part due to the strong foundation laid by David, his leadership team and the outstanding faculty and staff who carry out Union’s mission every day.”
President Harris and Maya Harris with community members
The Harris family at the inauguration of President David R. Harris in September 2018
Swidler said that the executive search firm Isaacson Miller has been retained to facilitate the search for Union’s next president. Trustee Rich Delaney, who chairs the Board’s Facilities committee, will chair the search committee, which will include trustees, faculty, staff and students.
Harris’ tenure at Union during an extremely challenging time for higher education has been marked by several significant initiatives and milestones, including:
- The creation of Union’s current strategic plan and significant improvements in administrative processes across the College
- The addition of key academic programs, such as environmental and civil engineering, and a revamped general education curriculum
- Strengthened connections between the College and the city of Schenectady, highlighted by the deal to build a new arena at Mohawk Harbor that will be home to the College’s NCAA Division I hockey programs starting next year
- Enhanced communication and marketing that has elevated the ways in which the College shares the story of its distinctive blend of liberal arts, sciences and engineering across audience groups.
- Outstanding leadership in guiding the College through the COVID-19 pandemic. Union safely returned to in-person learning in fall 2020, just months after the start of the pandemic
The College also has enjoyed record fundraising during Harris’ tenure – including the two largest gifts in Union’s history, totaling $91 million, from Class of 1980 Union alumni Mary and Rich Templeton. In June 2023, the College completed the largest fundraising campaign in its history, raising more than $316 million – above its $300 million target.
President Harris takes a selfie with students while at a reception at the President's House.
The Templeton gifts are being used to further elevate Union’s commitment to offering world-class engineering and computer science education within a liberal arts context. The second gift - $40 million announced this past spring - will be used to fund construction of a new engineering and computer science building on campus.
Robert Bertagna, the Chair of the Board of Trustees from 2019-2023 also praised Harris and his impact on the College.
"President Harris has been an outstanding leader of Union College,” Bertagna said. “During his tenure, Union has successfully completed a number of critical initiatives, and he has laid the foundation for further success. We will be forever grateful for his time as president. We wish President Harris the best in the next steps of his journey."
A sociologist and inequality scholar by training, Harris has long been a powerful voice for diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. He has championed the need for members of the Union community to “be comfortable being uncomfortable” and to embrace constructive dialogue as the College addresses challenging social issues. He has worked tirelessly to increase access to Union for students across the socioeconomic spectrum – and then ensure those students have the type of Union experience worthy of their talents and passions.
Harris and his family have been a visible presence around campus throughout his tenure. They regularly engage with members of the community in myriad ways - including informal encounters around campus, David and his wife Anne hosting students for meals at the president’s house, enjoying sporting and cultural events, holding monthly office hours and formal mentoring of students.
Harris earned his bachelor’s and doctorate degrees from Northwestern University. Prior to joining Union, he served as provost and senior vice president at Tufts University from 2012 to 2018.
He also has held academic and administrative positions at the University of Michigan and Cornell University, and he served as deputy assistant secretary for human services policy at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services from 2010-11. Harris and his wife are the parents of three daughters, Maya, OIivia and Eve.