Hobart and William Smith President Mark D. Gearan exemplifies the strongest attributes of the Colleges he serves: civic engagement, global awareness, a focus on the 21st century and a commitment to students. Since 1999, President Gearan has reinforced the Colleges' commitment to academic rigor, global understanding, study abroad opportunities, community service and service–learning, with the goal of providing these elements through contemporary facilities and state–of–the–art technology. Before HWS President, Gearan was serving as director of the Peace Corps in Washington, D.C., a post he assumed in 1995. Under his leadership, the Peace Corps experienced a resurgence of interest. The Colleges have similarly progressed under his guidance. In 2007, President Gearan signed the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment, making HWS a charter member of a national effort to reduce emissions of the gases responsible for global warming. He also established the Commission on Inclusive Excellence, and developed a Geneva Partnership to further deepen the Colleges' productive relationship with the City of Geneva, N.Y.

Gearan is currently Chair of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for National and Community Service and Chair of the Annapolis Group, and serves on the boards of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities and The Partnership of Public Service. He is also a member of the Leadership Council of ServiceNation. He is the past chair of the National Campus Compact.

A native of Gardner, Mass., President Gearan earned his B.A. in government cum laude at Harvard University and his law degree at Georgetown University. He is the recipient of 12 honorary degrees.