Harvard University has announced Claudine Gay as its 30th president and first black president.
Ms. Gay is of Haitian descent and is a Professor of Government, African and African-American Studies.
Gay who will officially resume the position in July 2023, is the first black president and the second woman to hold the office since its creation 400 years ago.
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Her appointment comes at a significant time for the university, as it faces a landmark Supreme Court ruling that will require it to revisit its long-standing admissions standards.
The institution’s admission standards have been criticized as racist -favoring white and rich students.
Reacting to her appointment, the Director of Harvard’s Hutchins Center for African & African-American Research, Henry Gates Jr described Ms. Gay’s appointment as an “academic history” for the university.
“This is a victory for diversity and excellence. Claudine has proven herself a first-class academic leader as well as a rigorous scholar in her own right,”
“And under her leadership, Harvard will continue to be a model in upholding the highest standards of academic excellence, advancing the frontiers of knowledge while also advancing strategies of inclusion,” he said.
