Ronald Daniels

Ronald J. Daniels is the 14th president of Johns Hopkins University, where he has overseen a period of institutional growth, innovation, and a strengthened commitment to academic excellence and community engagement. A law and economics scholar, Daniels previously served as provost at University of Pennsylvania and as dean of University of Toronto Faculty of Law. At Johns Hopkins, Daniels has promoted interdisciplinary collaboration, expanded student access, and led initiatives that have reinforced the university’s role in research, education, and patient care.

Daniels’ tenure includes strategic initiatives such as the "Ten by Twenty" plan and the $6 billion "Rising to the Challenge" campaign, both advancing the university’s mission and impact. He launched the Bloomberg Distinguished Professors program, supporting cross-disciplinary research in areas including artificial intelligence and public health, and played a key role in securing Michael Bloomberg’s $1.8 billion gift to support need-blind admissions and financial accessibility for undergraduates. His leadership also resulted in the creation of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Agora Institute and the Bloomberg American Health Initiative, both addressing societal challenges.

Daniels has received honors including the Carnegie Corporation of New York Academic Leadership Award and membership in the American Academy of Arts & Sciences and the Order of Canada. He has strengthened Johns Hopkins’ connections to Baltimore through initiatives such as HopkinsLocal and the Henderson-Hopkins School, demonstrating a focus on social innovation and urban revitalization. Daniels’ work continues to influence higher education, research leadership, and university-community partnerships.