POTSDAM –  Clarkson has named Michelle Larson as its first ever female president.

Clarkson University Board of Trustees  have selected Larson, PhD as the 19th President, marking a historic moment as the first woman to lead the university in its 128-year history.  

A physicist by training, Larson brings a “remarkable blend of academic and non-profit business leadership expertise, all rooted in her deep commitment to science and higher education,” a release from Clarkson said.

 Larson joins Clarkson University from The Adler Planetarium in Chicago, where she has served as President and CEO since 2013.

“Naming Dr. Larson as Clarkson’s next leader is a significant milestone for the institution,” said Nancy Reyda, Chair of the Clarkson University Board of Trustees. “Michelle has the personal character and a unique blend of professional experience that will enable her to lead Clarkson to a transformational future. She’s a powerful, visionary leader we believe in.”

From the outset, the search process was intentional and inclusive, the release said.

“We established a Search Committee representing a wide range of perspectives within our university community,” Reyda said. “Undergraduate and graduate students, professors, alumni, staff and Trustees all had a voice. Inclusivity was paramount.”

The search began with over 50 applicants, and Reyda said that “Dr. Larson’s exceptional balance of academic excellence, bold business acumen and leadership grace distinguished her immediately.”  The sentiment among the Search Committee and the Board of Trustees was unanimous—Dr. Michelle Larson is the ideal choice for this critical leadership role at this pivotal time in Clarkson’s history.

Larson earned her bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in physics from Montana State University and served in academic leadership for more than a decade, including as Vice Provost at Utah State University before leading the Adler Planetarium for the past 12 years. Her distinguished career includes helping NASA forge partnerships to engage the world with the universe and working to make new discoveries in science, technology, engineering and math understandable for society as a whole. 

Additionally, Larson brings a wealth of business experience and depth of fiscal expertise as a long-serving CEO in Chicago’s dynamic economic landscape.  

“Clarkson University captured my head and my heart from the start. It’s clearly a place where curiosity grows, ideas illuminate the path forward and collaboration drives success,” Larson, an Alaskan native,  said. 

“As I came to know the Clarkson community, I was impressed by each person’s palpable commitment to this University. Everywhere I looked, I saw a spark in people’s eyes and the talent to ignite it. Clarkson is a bold yet humble community learning together and tackling the world’s challenges. I am deeply honored and absolutely thrilled to accept the opportunity to lead Clarkson University.”

Larson brings a blend of expertise and enthusiasm, and her arrival as President begins an exciting new chapter for Clarkson University, the release said.

She will begin her role on April 1, 2025, and her husband Shane Larson PhD, an accomplished Astrophysicist, will join the Coulter School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. “We are excited to get to know the people,” Larson emphasized. “We come from rural roots, and we are so pleased to join the Clarkson and North Country communities. I am eager to work with faculty, staff, students and trustees to forge a bold new path forward for Clarkson.”