Cambridge, Massachusetts — Suzanne Glassburn has been appointed as the new secretary of Harvard’s governing bodies, according to an announcement made by University President Alan M. Garber on Thursday. Glassburn will also hold the title of vice president, taking charge of the Office of the Governing Bodies, which is responsible for supporting the Harvard Corporation and the Board of Overseers.
Glassburn is transitioning from her role as vice president and secretary of the MIT Corporation, a position she held until her resignation in August 2023. In a statement, she expressed enthusiasm about her new role at Harvard, indicating her eagerness to contribute to an institution known for its profound history of governance and leadership.
“I am deeply grateful to President Garber for the opportunity to serve an institution with such an incredible history of strong governance and respected leadership,” Glassburn stated. She looks forward to strengthening the collaboration between administration and governance at the university.
This appointment comes as Marc L. Goodheart, who has served in the role for nearly 30 years, prepares to retire at the end of the academic year. Goodheart will continue to lend his expertise at Harvard as a senior adviser to Garber and other senior officials.
Garber highlighted the significance of Glassburn’s experience, suggesting she will be an essential resource during a critical period for both Harvard and the broader landscape of higher education. He described her as “a deeply experienced and widely respected senior university administrator.”
As Glassburn embarks on her new journey, Harvard faces significant challenges, including a potential $2.2 billion reduction in federal funding due to actions taken by the Trump administration. Additionally, a lawsuit involving the White House and Harvard is expected to extend into the early months of her term.
Recent scrutiny directed at Harvard has included allegations from Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, who accused Penny S. Pritzker, a senior fellow at the Corporation, of “disastrous mismanagement” in a letter severing future federal support. This scrutiny follows a turbulent end to the tenure of former Harvard President Claudine Gay.
Bringing a wealth of experience to her new position, Glassburn has previously overseen the Office of the President at MIT and coordinated the institution’s engagement with lawmakers in Washington for over five years. She will also be instrumental in the search for Garber’s successor, which is set to begin in 2026, and will support reforms recommended by a subgroup of the Corporation.
During her tenure at MIT, Glassburn contributed to the establishment of AI research facilities, the launch of initiatives on human and machine intelligence, and the creation of The Engine, a nonprofit designed to support startups with financial and technical resources. Her extensive background includes over a decade in MIT’s Office of the General Counsel, where she collaborated with members of Harvard’s Office of the General Counsel to help create edX, an online education platform stemming from a collaborative effort between MIT and Harvard in 2012.
Prior to her time at MIT, Glassburn was a partner at the Boston law firm Nutter, McClennen, and Fish, LLP, where she provided guidance on corporate governance and intellectual property matters to clients across the nonprofit and private sectors.
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