MIT announces L. Rafael Reif as its seventeenth president

L. Rafael Reif, a distinguished engineer and gifted administrator, has been selected as the 17th president of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). His election came after a thorough search process, with the MIT Corporation casting the deciding vote.

Rafael Reif served as provost of MIT for seven years before becoming its president, a role he held for more than a decade. During his time as provost, Reif played a critical role in expanding and strengthening MIT’s research enterprise and academic programs, helping to solidify the institution's global leadership in science, engineering, and technology innovation.

One of Reif's significant achievements as provost was driving the growth of MIT's global strategy. He oversaw the development of MITx, the Institute's new initiative in online learning, which has since reached millions of learners worldwide. Reif also worked closely with the deans of MIT's five schools to establish academic priorities and foster interdisciplinary research and educational innovation.

As president, Reif was instrumental in initiatives like the creation of the L. Rafael Reif Innovation Corridor on MIT’s campus, highlighting his emphasis on innovation and forward-looking infrastructure to support entrepreneurship and technology development. His leadership extended beyond MIT as well, contributing to national discussions on higher education, innovation, and competitiveness in the U.S.

Reif's tenure as provost was marked by his advocacy for addressing higher education challenges and supporting innovation ecosystems nationally. He has been involved in policy forums and has written articles addressing challenges like brain drain.

Rafael Reif's background includes a Ph.D. from Stanford University (1979) and a long-standing career at MIT where he is also the Ray and Maria Stata Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. His technical expertise and ties to MIT’s academic core have been evident throughout his tenure.

The search for the MIT presidency involved 'especially broad outreach', seeking input from faculty, students, and staff. The committee had an excellent pool of candidates due to this rich internal input and input from voices outside MIT.

Reif's impression deepened as discussions with him and members of the MIT community proceeded. His election was a testament to his unique qualifications for the role, as he emerged as a standout candidate among a strong pool.

Reif will assume the MIT presidency on July 2, bringing with him a wealth of experience and a passion for advancing MIT’s mission in education, research, and innovation. His legacy at MIT positions him as a transformative leader who has advanced the institution’s mission in these areas both administratively and intellectually.

Achievements and Contributions

Served as MIT’s provost for seven years before presidency.
Advanced MIT’s research capabilities and expanded academic programs.
Laid groundwork for innovation infrastructure, later recognized by naming a campus area (Innovation Corridor) after him.
A strong advocate for addressing higher education challenges and supporting innovation ecosystems nationally.
Maintained a professorship in electrical engineering and computer science, underscoring his technical expertise and ties to MIT’s academic core.
Drove the growth of MIT's global strategy, including the development of MITx, the Institute's new initiative in online learning.
Worked closely with the deans of MIT's five schools to establish academic priorities.
Contributed to national discussions on higher education, innovation, and competitiveness in the U.S., such as his involvement in policy forums and articles addressing challenges like brain drain.
L. Rafael Reif's tenure as provost saw the expansion and strengthening of MIT's research enterprise and academic programs, helping the institution solidify its global leadership in science, engineering, and technology innovation.
One of Reif's significant achievements as provost was driving the growth of MIT's global strategy, overseeing the development of MITx, an online learning initiative that has reached millions learners worldwide.
Reif also worked closely with the deans of MIT's five schools to establish academic priorities and foster interdisciplinary research and educational innovation.
As president, Reif emphasized innovation and forward-looking infrastructure, creating the L. Rafael Reif Innovation Corridor on MIT’s campus to support entrepreneurship and technology development.
Reif's background includes a Ph.D. from Stanford University and a long-standing career at MIT, where he is also the Ray and Maria Stata Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.
His technical expertise and ties to MIT’s academic core have been evident throughout his tenure, reflecting his focus on education, research, and innovation.
Rafael Reif has been involved in policy forums and has written articles addressing challenges like brain drain, demonstrating his commitment to addressing higher education challenges and supporting innovation ecosystems nationally.