Harvard Chan School’s Andrea Baccarelli: ‘The right dean at the moment’
Even as Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health reels from massive cuts in federal research funding, faculty members are praising the School’s dean, Andrea Baccarelli, for being frank about the School’s difficulties while steering it through the tough times.
In a May 28 Harvard Crimson article, faculty called Baccarelli a good listener who responds to colleagues’ concerns with compassion. The article noted that, since the funding cuts began, Baccarelli has been holding virtual Town Halls where he outlines the School’s challenges with honesty and answers questions from members of the community. Baccarelli also regularly sends out periodic newsletters that summarize the Town Halls, offer School and University updates, and answer funding questions.
Phyllis Kanki, Mary Woodard Lasker Professor of Health Sciences, told the Crimson, “There’s no arrogance or anything in the way he answers slews of questions that are peppered at him in these town halls.”
Lorelei Mucci, professor of epidemiology, said she appreciates the dean’s frank communication—including a willingness to admit uncertainty. “I’d rather know the truth about what’s going on than have a false sense of hope, because then you can really plan and take action,” she said.
Upon becoming dean of the faculty in January 2024, Baccarelli began a yearlong listening tour to better understand the School’s landscape. Describing his approach, Mucci said he focuses on “gaining opinions from everybody before he forms his own.” In February 2025, he announced his three-part mission: to make the School more agile, accessible, and accountable.
As a result of the funding crisis, Baccarelli has had to pivot to focusing on finding new revenue streams, such as increasing non-degree programs like executive education, seeking philanthropy, and partnering with industry.
Rifat Atun, professor of global health systems, thinks that Baccarelli’s year spent learning about the School, when he “really tried to understand what the issues were from the perspective of faculty and staff,” has helped him weather the current crisis. He said, “I think the pieces were in place when … the tsunami arrived.”
Noted Christoph Lange, professor of biostatistics, “He’s the right dean at the moment for the school.”
Read the Harvard Crimson article: A Leader for Hard Times at Longwood
