Dartmouth’s first woman President is credited with positioning the college as a leader in constructive dialogue, affordability and student well-being
NEW YORK, February 27, 2026 – Dartmouth President, Dr. Sian Leah Beilock, a cognitive scientist who made teaching future leaders how to respectfully engage in constructive dialogue across differences a defining element of her presidency, is the recipient of the 2026 TIAA Institute Hesburgh Award for Leadership Excellence in Higher Education.
The award is sponsored by TIAA Institute, the research division of TIAA, a leading provider of secured retirements for the not-for-profit market and administered by the American Council on Education (ACE)Opens in a new window.
Named after the former president of the University of Notre Dame and longtime TIAA board member, Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C., the award is presented each year to a current college or university president or chancellor for outstanding leadership of their institution and broad impact on higher education and society.
“President Beilock brings both intellectual depth and practical innovation to higher education leadership,” said Surya Kolluri, Head of TIAA Institute. “Whether pioneering AI-powered wellness platforms, investing in sustainable campus infrastructure, or championing dialogue across differences, she exemplifies leadership that is both principled and forward thinking.”
Dr. Beilock joined Dartmouth in 2023 as the school’s first woman President. In 2024, Dr. Beilock launched “Dartmouth Dialogues” the groundbreaking institutional initiative designed to strengthen campus culture through broad-based exposure to diverse perspectives and skill-building for navigating difficult conversations both inside and outside the classroom.
In the first year, more than 15,000 community members participated in Dialogues events or training sessions, and 85% of Dartmouth students say they are confident in their ability to engage respectfully with differing viewpoints.
Dartmouth also expanded financial aid accessibility for qualified students under Dr. Beilock’s leadership, with families earning under $125,000 paying no parent contribution or mandatory student loans. Currently, 46% of students receive financial aid, 22% qualify for Pell Grants, and one-third of the newest class attends tuition-free.
An advocate for liberal arts education in an era of technological transformation, Dr. Beilock also pioneered preventive approaches to student wellbeing through the Evergreen platform, developed in partnership with Thrive Global, which uses AI to deliver personalized, evidence-based support. Beyond Dartmouth, she co-founded and co-chairs the EDGE Consortium, bringing together institutions to expand opportunities for women and underrepresented groups in STEM fields and the semiconductor workforce.
“Sian Beilock exemplifies the commitment, vision, and leadership required, now more than ever, of college presidents across the diverse landscape of American higher education,” said Ted Mitchell, ACE President and TIAA Board Member. “Her dedication to expanding student access and success and ensuring a campus where all voices feel welcome and respected are just a few of the ways she and Dartmouth are serving their students and wider community.”
A prolific researcher, Dr. Beilock has published 120 peer-reviewed papers, authored two widely acclaimed books, and delivered a TED talk on performing under pressure that has been viewed more than 2.7 million times. She previously served as President of Barnard College and Executive Vice Provost at the University of Chicago.
“I’m honored to receive this recognition,” said Dr. Sian Beilock, President, Dartmouth College. “I’m driven by Dartmouth’s mission to attract the broadest range of talented students and give them the skills to debate, disagree productively, and lead with purpose. At a moment when trust matters more than ever, our work reflects a simple truth: we exist to serve the public good.”
Established in 1993, the Hesburgh Award recognizes leadership and commitment to higher education and contributions to the greater good. It’s presented to a current college or university president or chancellor who embodies the spirit of the late Rev. Hesburgh, who was appointed by President Eisenhower to the newly created Civil Rights Commission. The winner is selected by an independent panel of judges. To learn more, visit TIAA’s Awards page.
About TIAA Institute
The TIAA Institute is a think-tank within TIAA, conducting cutting-edge research in the areas of financial literacy and longevity literacy, lifetime income, retirement plan design and behavioral finance in the context of retirement. The Institute provides consulting services for higher education and the broader nonprofit sector. For more information, visit www.tiaainstitute.orgOpens in a new window.
About TIAA
TIAA helps provide secure retirements and outcome-focused investment solutions to millions of people and thousands of institutions. It paid more than $5.9 billion in lifetime income to retired clients in 2024 and has $1.5 trillion in assets under management (as of 12/31/2025).
About Dartmouth College
Founded in 1769 in Hanover, N.H., Dartmouth educates the most promising students from the broadest swath of society and prepares them for a lifetime of learning and responsible leadership. Dartmouth faculty—dedicated to teaching and the creation of knowledge—respond with research and innovative thinking to the most pressing challenges of our time, and the university supports all its members in the vigorous and open debate of ideas. Dartmouth encourages a culture of integrity, self-reliance, and collegiality and instills a sense of responsibility for each other and for the broader world.
About the American Council on Education
ACE is a membership organization that leads higher education with a united vision for the future, galvanizing our members to make change and collaborating across the sector to design solutions for today’s challenges, serve the needs of a diverse student population, and shape effective public policy. As the major coordinating body for the nation’s colleges and universities, our strength lies in our diverse membership of nearly 1,600 colleges and universities, related associations, and other organizations in America and abroad. ACE is the only major higher education association to represent all types of U.S. accredited, degree-granting colleges and universities. For more information, please visit www.acenet.edu or follow ACE on XOpens in a new window, BlueskyOpens in a new window, and LinkedInOpens in a new window.
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