David Deming appointed as dean of Harvard College

David Deming — Isabelle and Scott Black Professor of Political Economy at Harvard Kennedy School, educator in education and economics at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and faculty dean of Kirkland House — has been named Danoff Dean of Harvard College on Tuesday. He will commence his new duties on July 1. 

In announcing this appointment, Edgerley Family Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Hopi Hoekstra remarked: “As a distinguished and esteemed authority in higher education research and policy, an inspiring academic leader, and a cherished faculty dean with a profound, genuine connection to undergraduate life, David is exceptionally qualified to steer the College during this pivotal period in Harvard’s narrative.” 

“David is an exemplary researcher, a phenomenal educator, a treasured faculty dean, and a role model for both students and faculty,” stated Harvard President Alan M. Garber. “His research on education and social mobility, among others, addresses fundamental questions in education, and I have gained immensely from his insights and his knack for clarifying the essential implications of his studies. I am thrilled that he has accepted this significant role for the College and the University, as he influences the experiences of generations of undergraduates.” 

Deming is a nationally acknowledged scholar at the crossroads of education, labor markets, and economic disparity. He serves as a principal investigator with the CLIMB Initiative at Opportunity Insights, investigating how higher education fosters social mobility and how policymakers and institutions can enhance that effect. He also jointly leads the Project on Workforce, a cross-Harvard initiative aimed at equipping students for meaningful careers in a swiftly evolving labor market. Furthermore, Deming co-founded the Skills Lab, which develops performance-based assessments of “soft” skills, such as collaboration and decision-making. His latest research delves into the effects of the rapid integration of generative artificial intelligence on employment and the economy. 

Deming’s “research investigates how education transforms lives, particularly for low-income and first-generation students, and how public policy can broaden opportunities and upward mobility,” stated Hoekstra in a communication to the FAS community. “His inquiries blend meticulous economic analysis with a strong sense of purpose: to guarantee that educational systems serve more individuals effectively.”  

“David epitomizes the numerous qualities and attributes necessary for an exceptional Harvard College Dean,” declared Claudia Goldin, Henry Lee professor of Economics, who collaborated on research with Deming during his graduate studies and is a long-standing colleague. “He is a compassionate and devoted colleague; an understanding friend, educator, and father; and a talented communicator.

“David has excelled in labor market research focusing on the significance of social skills and teamwork. His most recent studies shed light on how generative AI is influencing education and employment and investigate the parallels of this technological upheaval with historical disruptions. David embodies veritas, both personally and as a researcher.” 

Deming began instructing at Harvard College in 2018. He and his spouse, Janine Santimauro, took on the role of faculty deans of Kirkland House in 2020. Over their five years of leadership, Deming and Santimauro have revitalized the Kirkland community, fostering connections and camaraderie through intramural sports; the “Kirkland Teaches Kirkland” initiative, where students present their senior theses to the House community; and new student-initiated traditions such as “The Choosening,” a Sunday evening event to announce and celebrate a House-wide theme for the week.  

“As a faculty dean, I’ve treasured the opportunity to connect with our students beyond the classroom and contribute to their academic and personal growth,” said Deming. “While our current circumstances present many obstacles, I firmly believe in the intellectual rigor and transformative potential of a Harvard College education and experience. I am privileged to assume the role of dean and eager to collaborate with Dean Hoekstra and Harvard leadership as we forge a future path.” 

Deming has held various leadership positions throughout his journey at Harvard, including director of the Malcolm Wiener Center for Social Policy at the Kennedy School, and subsequently becoming the School’s academic dean, a role he maintained until 2024.

Originally from Nashville, Deming relocated to Shaker Heights, Ohio, at age 15. He possesses degrees in economics and political science from Ohio State University, a master’s degree from UC Berkeley’s Goldman School, and a Ph.D. from the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences within the HKS policy program. After beginning his career at Carnegie Mellon, he joined Harvard as an assistant professor at HGSE in 2011 and attained full professorship with tenure in 2016. 

In 2022, Deming received the Sherwin Rosen Prize for exceptional contributions to labor economics. He was honored with the David N. Kershaw Prize in 2018 for significant achievements in the realm of public policy and management before the age of 40. He has penned articles for The New York Times and The Atlantic and is a research associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research. 

Deming follows Rakesh Khurana, Marvin Bower Professor of Leadership Development at Harvard Business School and a professor of sociology in the FAS, who is resigning as dean at the conclusion of the academic year, after 11 years of dedication to Harvard College.