Mark Harmon-Vaught Appointed Chief of Staff in President’s Office

Houston, Texas – June 2026 — Rice University has announced the appointment of Mark Harmon-Vaught as its new Associate Vice President and Chief of Staff in the Office of the President, effective August 10, 2026. Harmon-Vaught joins the university after serving as Chief of Staff at the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education, where he played a key role in advancing strategic initiatives and supporting executive leadership.

In his new role at Rice, Harmon-Vaught will serve as a strategic adviser to President Reginald DesRoches, coordinating the president’s cabinet and senior leadership team while helping implement the university’s long-term strategic priorities. His responsibilities will also include overseeing the operational and financial management of the President’s Office and strengthening relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

President DesRoches praised Harmon-Vaught’s leadership experience and collaborative approach, noting his deep understanding of research universities and his ability to build strong partnerships across diverse communities. He emphasized that Harmon-Vaught will play an important role in advancing Rice University’s strategic plan, Momentous: Personalized Scale for Global Impact.

Expressing his enthusiasm about the appointment, Harmon-Vaught said he was drawn to Rice University’s commitment to expanding research excellence while maintaining its student-centered culture. He described the opportunity to join the university’s leadership team as a privilege and said he looks forward to supporting the institution’s ambitious vision for the future.

Harmon-Vaught brings extensive leadership experience across K-12 and higher education. Before joining the University of Pennsylvania, he served as Chief of Staff and Secretary to the Board of Trustees at Wagner College and held leadership positions with KIPP NYC Public Schools. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Franklin & Marshall College and a master’s degree in education leadership from Harvard University.

His appointment reflects Rice University’s continued investment in experienced administrative leadership to support institutional growth, innovation, and academic excellence.