In yet another key appointment of an Indian-American academic, the Harvard authorities have named Professor Rakesh Khurana as the new Dean of the prestigious Harvard College.
An alumnus of Harvard and and then an award-winning teacher at this premier Ivy league institution, Khurana is currently Bower professor of leadership development at the Harvard Business School (HBS) and master of Cabot House.
HBS happens to be headed by another distinguished Indian-american professor, Nitin Nohria, who was appointed to the top position in May 2010.
Khurana succeeds Evelynn Hammonds, professor of African and African-American Studies. He will assume charge of his new assignment in July.
Harvard President Drew Faust lauded Khurana as a faculty leader who embodies the inter-connectedness of Havard. “His experiences as a graduate student, and award-winning teacher at HBS, and the master of an undergraduate House give him a unique perspective on the University, and his deep respect for the liberal-arts model and the residential education will serve him well as he guides Harvard College,” Faust said.
Welcoming the appointment, Nohria said it was a testament to Khurana’s skill and vision as a teacher and scholar. “I think the appointment is wonderful news, and I am looking forward to working with Rakesh to identify and strengthen efforts across the College and HBS that will benefit us all,” Nohria said.
Khurana, after earning his undergraduate degree in industrial and labour relations at Cornell, completed advanced degrees at Harvard that included an MA in sociology and PhD in organisational behaviour.