Ruth Simmons on List of Possible New Presidents of Harvard

The Harvard Crimson reports that the university’s presidential search committee has submitted a list of 30 candidates to lead Harvard. Eleven of the 30 names were leaked to the student newspaper. Among the 11 names on the list that were revealed was Ruth Simmons, the president of Brown University. Simmons was the only African American among the 11 people named as candidates for the Harvard presidency. Formerly president of Smith College, Simmons is viewed as an extraordinarily strong and knowledgeable administrator.

The Harvard board of overseers is expected to name a new president this spring.

Copyright © 2006. The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education. All rights reserved.