MIT appoints L. Rafael Reif as its 17th president
L. Rafael Reif Named 17th President of MIT
L. Rafael Reif, an electrical engineer and academic, has been chosen as the 17th president of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The announcement comes after a comprehensive search process that sought input from a wide range of voices within and outside the university.
Reif, who has been a member of the MIT faculty since 1980, has served as the Institute's chief academic officer since 2005. As provost, he has held overarching responsibility for MIT's educational and research programs. He has also overseen Lincoln Laboratory, MIT's libraries, and a number of major interdisciplinary laboratories, centers, and programs.
Currently, Reif is the Fariborz Maseeh Professor of Emerging Technology in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. He is also known for leading the development of MITx, the Institute's new initiative in online learning.
Throughout his tenure at MIT, Reif has demonstrated a commitment to fostering research excellence and advocating for research funding. He has been a vocal advocate for the vital role universities play in U.S. innovation and competitiveness. He has also engaged in national conversations about higher education and scientific innovation.
One of Reif's notable achievements was leading the design and implementation of a strategy that allowed MIT to weather the global financial crisis. He has also worked closely with the deans of MIT's five schools to establish academic priorities.
Reif has also promoted a major faculty-led effort to address challenges around race and diversity. He has been involved in discussions addressing challenges such as brain drain in higher education.
The Presidential Search Committee, chaired by James A. Champy '63, SM '65, a Boston business consultant and author, had an excellent pool of candidates. The rich candidate pool was the result of 'especially broad outreach' for the MIT presidency.
Reif's selection was made by a vote of the MIT Corporation. His term as MIT's president will begin on July 2.
In summary, L. Rafael Reif is recognised for his leadership at MIT, fostering research excellence, advocating for research funding, and engaging in national conversations about higher education and scientific innovation. His term as president is anticipated with excitement and high hopes for the future of the Institute.
- L. Rafael Reif's leadership at MIT has been marked by a strong commitment to fostering research excellence and advocating for research funding.
- As a member of the MIT faculty since 1980, Reif has held overarching responsibility for MIT's educational and research programs.
- Reif is also known for leading the development of MITx, the Institute's new initiative in online learning and technology-based education-and-self-development.
- The Presidential Search Committee, led by James A. Champy, noted the especially broad outreach for the MIT presidency, resulting in an excellent pool of candidates.
- Reif's term as president is anticipated with excitement and high hopes for the future of the Institute, particularly in the fields of science, engineering, and innovation.
- As the Institute's chief academic officer since 2005, Reif has overseen a number of major interdisciplinary laboratories, centers, and programs.
- Throughout his tenure at MIT, Reif has been involved in national conversations about higher education, scientific innovation, and addressing challenges such as diversity and brain drain in higher education.
