Deming provides a researcher’s insight into a student-centric leadership role

The windows in David Deming’s University Hall office — now his preferred spot on campus — present a view of the rear of the John Harvard Statue, providing him a daily glimpse into a crucial crossroads of campus life: undergraduates heading to class and tourists pausing for pictures and to touch the statue’s foot for good fortune. Deming, who assumed his position as Danoff Dean of Harvard College on July 1, described these scenes as “daily reminders” of the significance of teaching, learning, and research at Harvard.

“I deeply appreciate the institution and what Harvard represents, as well as the influence Harvard has globally, and I wanted to be part of that,” stated Deming, an economist with roles in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, the Graduate School of Education, and the Kennedy School of Government, where he holds the title of Isabelle and Scott Black Professor of Political Economy. “However, I also wish to maintain the part of me that treasures being a teacher, a researcher, and unveiling new insights about the world.”

Growing up as the son of a minister and a book editor in Tennessee, Deming intends to be a consistent presence at student gatherings, in the dining halls, and around the Yard this semester, experiences he plans to share on his Instagram page.

In this dialogue with the Gazette, edited for lucidity and brevity, Deming elaborates on his ambitions for the fall semester and beyond.

---

It’s the commencement of your inaugural academic year as dean of Harvard College. What are your sentiments?

I am feeling fantastic. This is a profound time for Harvard and an essential role, but I feel immensely supported by the broader Harvard community: students, staff, faculty, and University leadership. Everyone has been exceptionally inviting, and I’ve been struck by the remarkable capability of those around me and their commitment to the College’s mission. I have a wonderful team assembled.

As an economist specializing in education, technology, and the labor market, how has your academic foundation equipped you for this position?

I have spent many years focusing on topics related to higher education, social and economic mobility, employment, technology, skills, the future of work, and AI — all the subjects pertinent to Harvard and higher education currently. This background provides me with a perspective that is solidly based within the present higher education landscape: What challenges do young individuals encounter in college, and what are employers seeking in recent graduates? I am striving to incorporate my scholarly expertise into this role, discussing my research, engaging in conversations about others’ research, and situating our activities within a larger framework whenever possible.

What are your objectives regarding re-centering academics?

Young individuals face numerous demands on their attention and time nowadays — social media, certainly, but also extracurricular activities and jobs. We must demonstrate to students that the classroom merits their engagement. Part of this effort is cultural, emphasizing the significance of the classroom experience and intellectual engagement at Harvard. I consider the classroom as a nearly sacred environment where one can have discussions, gain experiences, and learn things that are unattainable elsewhere in life — once you graduate, that opportunity will not present itself again.

Another aspect involves ensuring that our classes are the crown jewels of the Harvard College experience, so students feel an immediate connection. In the GenEd Program, Expos 20, and First-Year Seminars, we collaborate with instructors — and Dean Amanda Claybaugh and her team in the Office of Undergraduate Education (OUE) — to ensure those courses are of the highest quality. We have outstanding teaching and learning here, but we must continue to elevate our efforts to prioritize the classroom experience.

How are you navigating the use of generative AI on campus?

I aim to enhance community awareness and steer us towards a constructive course, so that in the near future, we can establish a sensible strategy for AI at the College-wide level. We’re not even three years into the introduction of ChatGPT, so I believe it’s unreasonable to expect Harvard or any other institution to already have a fully developed plan for addressing the challenges of generative AI. Nevertheless, as a new dean, I am witnessing firsthand how omnipresent AI is in our students’ lives. It clearly necessitates modifications in our teaching and learning approaches. With technology capable of providing sophisticated responses to any inquiry, there’s a risk of students bypassing their own learning processes. It’s crucial that we swiftly determine our strategy, given the rapid acceptance of AI. Therefore, we are collaborating with the Bok Center for Teaching and Learning and within the OUE on a solution that considers the various approaches faculty are adopting, ranging from prohibiting AI to embracing it. Inaction is not an option.

What is your vision for the new Office of Culture and Community?
“““html

The Office of Culture and Community encompasses many responsibilities that Harvard College used to manage, which were centered around identity groups, such as the Harvard Foundation for Intercultural and Race Relations, the Harvard College Women’s Center, and the Office of BGLTQ Student Life. It also incorporates new initiatives for military veterans and faith and spirituality, among other aspects. We aspire to support students more effectively than ever, yet our initiatives are structured under a larger office that does not, as a policy, direct students towards resources solely based on their identity. Students possessing those identities will continue to receive assistance, and we will remain actively involved in programming that honors their identities. The work itself remains profoundly significant, both to me personally and to the College at large. We’ll be organizing a plethora of events in the upcoming weeks, and I encourage students to participate and witness it firsthand. I hope the community will be patient with us as we navigate the best path forward.

I presume you have been gaining considerable insights about Harvard College. What are some of your initial thoughts?

You will hear me frequently discussing all the remarkable endeavors our students undertake. Much of what occurs on Harvard’s campus has absolutely no relation to what you see or hear about Harvard in the media. Yes, there’s a storm of controversy surrounding higher education at present, but our students are focused on learning and developing. They are more exceptional than ever. In 2024, we had eight Rhodes Scholars, which is double the number from the next-highest institution. We ranked in the Top 10 in the Putnam Mathematical Competition for the 10th consecutive year. We had 13 medalists at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics.

I want our community to take pride in who we are and what we represent. It’s simple to feel overwhelmed by all the obstacles we encounter, yet the truth is that Harvard is an outstanding university and a testament to human advancement. Our faculty conducts world-class research, and our students go on to achieve incredible feats that benefit their communities and society as a whole. You can count on me as Harvard College’s number one supporter.

“`