At the Head of the Classroom - Matina Souretis Horner

Matina Souretis Horner

University: Radcliffe College

Years of Employment: 1969 - 1989

Matina Souretis Horner started working at Harvard University in 1969, as a lecturer and later an assistant professor of Psychology. She moved away from working in the classroom in 1972, when she became the sixth president of Radcliffe College. During her presidency, Radcliffe College began its merger with Harvard University, to create a co-educational institution.

"Photograph of Matina Homer", 1972-1989; Radcliffe College Archives, Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.

Imagine you were hired to lead the merging of two institutions to create a coeducational university. What do you think the position would include?

This was not a simple position, as the merger between Radcliffe College and Harvard University was not favored by all the institutions’ faculty, students, and alumni. Matina Horner’s position as the President of Radcliffe College required her to make the merger progress, without losing the autonomy of Radcliffe College's governing board and financial decisions. During her time in the role, she worked to merge the admissions offices of the two institutions, while renegotiating agreements to help favor female students at the institution.