Union College has selected Dr. Elizabeth Kiss as its 20th president, succeeding Dr. David Harris who steps down after seven years. Kiss, an Oxford-trained philosopher
Dr. Elizabeth Kiss
"Elizabeth has deep experience in, and a passion for, liberal arts colleges," said Union Board of Trustees Chair Julie Greifer Swidler. "She fully understands the importance of Union's distinct integration of STEM and liberal arts."
Kiss brings extensive higher education leadership experience to Union. A New York City native and Rhodes Scholar, she earned her undergraduate degree in philosophy from Davidson College and her master's and doctorate from Oxford University. Her career includes serving as founding director of Duke's Kenan Institute for Ethics for a decade and as president of Agnes Scott College for 12 years.
Most recently, from 2018 to 2025, Kiss led the Rhodes Trust in Oxford, UK, where she raised record funding to support new Rhodes Scholarships across Africa, India, Pakistan, and China. She also expanded fellowship programs including the Schmidt Science Fellows and Rise, which supports young people pursuing education and social impact globally.
Throughout her career, Kiss has advocated for inclusive communities. At Agnes Scott College, she oversaw record enrollment and retention while establishing the college as a leader in campus sustainability. Under her leadership, Agnes Scott created Summit, a signature program focused on global learning and leadership development, completed its largest fundraising campaign, and was recognized as one of America's most innovative liberal arts colleges.
"I love liberal arts colleges because they provide students with a rigorous, immersive and transformative undergraduate experience at a human scale," Kiss said. "Union has a unique place among these institutions with its long-standing commitment to integrating traditional liberal arts disciplines with engineering."
Kiss expressed enthusiasm about Union's vision to develop "every student to lead with wisdom, empathy and courage," as well as the college's commitment to undergraduate research and study abroad opportunities. She also praised Union's athletic programs and the city of Schenectady's innovation and revitalization efforts.
