Jonathan Levin, an economist and Stanford alumnus who led the Stanford Graduate School of Business as dean for the last eight years, was appointed the next president of Stanford University, the Board of Trustees announced on Friday.
Levin will assume office effective August 1, 2024.
Jerry Yang, BS, MS ’90, chair of the Board of Trustees, thanked the 20-member Presidential Search Committee (PSC) for their work, and said Levin was the unanimous choice of the search committee and of the trustees. The PSC conducted a comprehensive search for Stanford’s next president. Levin will become president effective Aug. 1, 2024.
Jerry Yang, BS, MS, Chair of the Board of Trustees, expressed gratitude to the 20-member Presidential Search Committee (PSC) for their efforts.
He noted that Levin was the unanimous selection of both the search committee and the trustees. The PSC undertook a thorough exploration for Stanford's upcoming president.
“Jon brings a rare combination of qualities: a deep understanding and love of Stanford, an impressive track record of academic and leadership success, the analytical prowess to tackle complex strategic issues, and a collaborative and optimistic working style,” Yang said, according to Stanford report.
“He is consistently described by those who know him as principled, humble, authentic, thoughtful, and inspiring. We are excited about Stanford’s future under Jon’s leadership.”
Levin attended Stanford as an undergraduate, completing a BA in English and a BS in mathematics in 1994. He then completed an MPhil in economics from Oxford University and a PhD in economics from MIT.
He joined the economics faculty at Stanford in 2000 and later was awarded an endowed chair, becoming the Holbrook Working Professor of Price Theory in the School of Humanities and Sciences, says Stanford report.
He served as chair of the Stanford economics department from 2011 to 2014. As chair, Levin established a vision and strategy to elevate the department and helped recruit two future Nobel laureates and four Clark medalists to Stanford, the report adds.
He also serves as a member of President Biden’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology.
