HWS News
7 October 2025 Gearan Appointed to Public Agenda Board of Directors
President Mark D. Gearan will serve a three-year term on the board of directors for Public Agenda.
Public Agenda, a national research-to-action organization dedicated to strengthening democracy and amplifying public voice, recently appointed President Mark D. Gearan to its Board of Directors. A national leader in higher education and public service, Gearan will hold a three-year term, bringing a wealth of experience and insight to the organization.
Gearan has been president of Hobart and William Smith for 21 years. He previously served as Director of the Peace Corps, White House Communications Director and Director of Harvard University’s Institute of Politics. He has chaired national boards focused on service and education, including National Campus Compact and the Corporation for National and Community Service, and served as vice chair of the U.S. Commission on Military, National and Public Service. He is a cum laude graduate of Harvard College and Georgetown University Law Center.
“We are truly grateful for Mark Gearan’s willingness to serve on our Board of Directors,” says Andrew J. Seligsohn, President of Public Agenda. “His expertise and dedication to public service will be invaluable to our organization as we continue to expand our impact. His perspective and leadership will help guide Public Agenda as we explore new ways to center public voice in civic life.”
Founded in 1975 by social scientist and public opinion research pioneer Dan Yankelovich and former Secretary of State Cyrus Vance, Public Agenda works at the intersection of research, public engagement and policy. The organization partners with advocates, journalists, policymakers and the philanthropic community to uncover actionable solutions to the most pressing challenges facing our democracy.
The organization’s current work focuses on education, healthcare, jobs and civic participation, providing research that helps policymakers, practitioners and funders strengthen democracy.
“I am honored to join the board of Public Agenda during their 50th anniversary year to help continue the organization’s mission to amplify the voices of ordinary Americans in shaping public policy and civic life,” says Gearan. “I am excited to support the vital work Public Agenda does to unite people, inform decision-making and strengthen democracy.”
For more information about Public Agenda and its Board of Directors, https://publicagenda.org/.
