Office of the Dean

A Message From Dean Kathleen McCartney

Welcome to the Harvard Graduate School of Education!

Harvard University has long understood the central role of education for producing caring communities, vibrant economies, and contributing citizens. Since 1920, HGSE has been Harvard's headquarters for education enterprise. Our mission is to prepare future leaders in education and to generate new knowledge in the service of improving student opportunity, achievement and success.

The challenges facing education are complex, extending beyond our schools to families, communities, and our nation. At HGSE, we recognize that we are at a significant juncture in our history. Our comparative advantage is rooted in the belief that working at the nexus of practice, policy and research is the most powerful way to improve education. Whether preparing students, working with education leaders through professional education efforts or conducting research, we operate at this intersection. Members of our faculty include research-grounded practitioners and practice-focused researchers. They prepare our students, the lifeblood of our community, who create a vibrant and vital campus atmosphere unrivaled by other schools of education. Once our students graduate, they make a difference in the world in myriad ways.

As you browse our site, you will find rich evidence of the impact that our faculty, students, and alumni are having on the field of education. We hope you enjoy the new site, and we welcome your feedback.

Sincerely,

Kathleen McCartney
Dean and Gerald S. Lesser Professor in Early Childhood Development