The Cornell College Board of Trustees has announced a national search for the institution’s 16th president following President Jonathan Brand’s notice of his intent to conclude his tenure after 16 years and at the end of his current contract in June 2027.
Since becoming Cornell’s 15th president in April 2011, in his 16-year tenure, Brand has led the college through two successful reaccreditation cycles; raised more than $200 million for academic initiatives, facilities, and enrichment programs; and provided strategic leadership to grow the endowment toward an ambitious $200‑million‑plus goal.
Brand has overseen the launch of several signature efforts, including the creation of a literary arts center and a summer research institute, as well as the construction or renovation of eight campus buildings and three athletic fields. He has also remained directly connected to students by teaching 125 students in his politics class across seven teaching blocks and congratulating more than 3,300 graduates—including 101‑year‑old Fred Taylor ’43, who missed his original commencement while serving in World War II.
“The work we have completed together—strengthening our innovative academic program, building our endowment, reducing our debt to impressively low levels, and evolving our campus offerings to meet the needs of this generation’s students—will persist as we continue to embrace change as a forward‑thinking institution,” said Chair of the Cornell Board of Trustees Jan Thomas ’80. “As a community passionate about our college, and resting on our liberal arts foundation, we are ready to step forward together, guided by the values that have long defined Cornell: curiosity, creativity, resilience, and an uncommon commitment to student success. Our collective achievements position us strongly for the next chapter, and we look ahead with confidence as we prepare to welcome new leadership.”
The Board of Trustees is beginning the process of forming the search committee and selecting a search firm, identifying opportunities for community input, and developing a full search timeline. Our goal is to select Cornell’s next president by the end of the fall 2026 semester.