## Overview Harvard University is the oldest institution of higher education in the United States, established in 1636 in Cambridge, Massachusetts[1][2][3]. Originally founded to train clergy, it has evolved into a global leader in education, research, and innovation, with a broad influence across business, technology, and society[1][2]. Harvard operates ten degree-granting schools and the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs to a diverse student body of over 24,500 students, supported by more than 20,600 faculty and staff[1][3]. Its alumni network exceeds 400,000 globally, and its reach extends to over 35 million learners through Harvard Online[3]. ## History and Structure Harvard’s history is marked by continuous expansion and adaptation. It began with a modest endowment from John Harvard and grew through philanthropy and strategic vision, becoming a secular, research-intensive university by the 20th century[1][3]. The university is governed by the Harvard Corporation (the oldest corporation in the Western Hemisphere) and the Board of Overseers, ensuring a blend of tradition and innovation in its leadership[3]. Harvard’s physical footprint includes the historic Cambridge campus, a growing Allston campus across the Charles River, and the Longwood Medical Area in Boston[1]. ## Key Achievements and Influence Harvard’s impact is evident in its alumni, faculty, and researchers, who include 8 U.S. presidents, 24 heads of state, 31 heads of government, 188 living billionaires, and numerous Nobel laureates, Fields Medalists, and Pulitzer Prize winners[1][2]. Harvard students and alumni have collectively won 10 Academy Awards and over 100 Olympic medals[1][2]. The university is also a powerhouse in research, with breakthroughs such as the development of the first direct genomic sequencing method and leadership in the Human Genome Project[6]. In 2025