Welcome to the Office of the President

“We believe in the value of knowledge, the power of teaching and research, and the ways that what we do here can benefit society. Those commitments matter today more than ever.”

More about President Alan Garber

Federal Lawsuits

Upholding Our Values, Defending Our University

“The University will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights. Neither Harvard nor any other private university can allow itself to be taken over by the federal government.”

Learn more about Harvard’s legal actions

Strengthening Our Community

“Rededicating ourselves to free inquiry and expression, in a climate of inclusion and a spirit of mutual respect, has never mattered more.”

On Campus and Around the World

When President Garber isn’t helping students move onto campus and sharing advice on how to thrive at Harvard, he’s collaborating with partners across the globe.

President Garber covers his hands over his heart. — A Harvard ovation

Photo by Niles Singer

President Garber responds to a standing ovation at the Commencement ceremony on May 28. 2025.

President Garber shakes the hand of an older woman with white hair. — Celebrating Alumni

Photo by Niles Singer

President Garber greets the eldest female alumni, Linda Cabot Black ’51, at Harvard Alumni Day 2025.

President Garber shakes the hand of an officer. — 2025 ROTC Commissioning Ceremony

Photo by Veasey Conway

Harvard president Alan Garber shakes hands with Eytan Goldstein during Harvard’s ROTC commissioning ceremony for members of the Class of 2025, in Sanders Theatre, in Memorial Hall. Twenty-two ROTC members, from the Air Force, Navy, and Army, were recognized.

President Garber standing on stage in robes, with his hands over his head. — Cheers for President Garber

Photo by Stephanie Mitchell

President Alan Garber urges the crowd to be seated after they gave him a standing ovation at the Phi Beta Kappa Literary Exercises on May 27 in Sanders Theatre.

President Garber shakes the hand of a graduate at Commencement. — Celebrating the Class of 2025

Photo by Stephanie Mitchell

President Garber greets students as he processes into the ceremony of Harvard's 374th Commencement Exercises in Tercentenary Theatre.

Alan Garber, Rakesh Khurana, and students on move-in day — Move-in day

President Garber helped first-year students move into the Yard for the start of the semester.

Read more about move-in day

President Garber sitting in a spotlight on a dark stage, speaking to a crowd. — Celebrating 50 years of Office for the Arts

Photo by Niles Singer

President Alan Garber speaking during a celebration of 50 years of the Office for the Arts. The event featured live music, dance, storytelling, poetry and visual arts by students and alumni helped shape Harvard’s arts landscape.

Read more about the event

Alan Garber speaks at a podium with Davone Tines in the background looking on. — Harvard Arts Medal

Photo by Grace DuVal

Operatic bass-baritone Davóne Tines (left) ’09 sits onstage during the ceremony where he received the 2025 Harvard Arts Medal, which was presented to him by President Garber.

President Garber smiles at a tour guide. The two are walking in a courtyard. — U.K. visit

President Garber toured Emmanuel College (the alma mater of John Harvard), and visited the Cambridge Biomedical Campus.

Read more about the U.K. trip

Alan Garber talking to the crowd at Convocation — Convocation

"You will learn more from difficult moments of tension than from easy moments of understanding," President Garber told the Class of 2028.

Read more about Convocation

Alan Garber at a podium — Morning Prayers

President Garber urged the campus community to seek opportunities for unity in a time of divisiveness at the first Morning Prayers ceremony of the new academic year.

Read more about Morning Prayers

Alan Garber talking to two students — Washington, D.C. visit

Alan Garber spoke with many students and alums during his visit to the capital city.

Advancing Knowledge

“We are an institution that strives for the highest levels of excellence in academic endeavors. My hope is to be able to help us advance even more rapidly in the core mission.”

Climate Action

The Harvard community is rising to the challenge of protecting our planet. Across all of our Schools we are advancing research to create real-world climate solutions.

Learn more about Harvard's climate work

Improving Democracy

Harvard experts are exploring ways to improve and cultivate democracies around the world.

Learn more about Harvard's government work

Artificial Intelligence

Harvard experts are exploring how artificial intelligence is rapidly changing our world and our daily live, from health care to education, policy to art.

Learn more about Harvard's computer science work