Stephen Joel Trachtenberg is President Emeritus and University Professor of Public Service at The George Washington University. He served as GW’s 15th president for nearly two decades, from 1988 to 2007.

U.S. President George W. Bush appointed Trachtenberg to serve on the Honorary Delegation to accompany him to Jerusalem for the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the State of Israel in May 2008. Trachtenberg served on the DC Mayor’s Transition team. He also served on the CNO Executive Panel and The White House Fellows Selection Panel.

He has published five books including A University President Speaks Out on Higher Education and Speaking His Mind, an enlightening and fascinating collection of his speeches that touches upon many of the fundamental issues facing institutions of higher education.

Trachtenberg is described by Jose A. Cabranes, U.S. Circuit Judge as ‘at once knowledgeable, creative, and likable in the pursuit of institutional uplift and excellence’.

He is a recipient of the U.S. Department of State Secretary’s Open Forum Distinguished Public Service Award and the Department of the Treasury’s Medal of Merit.

Trachtenberg is active on a number of boards of non-profit organizations including as a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, Phi Beta Kappa and the Board of Directors of the Chiang Chen Industrial Charity Foundation in Hong Kong, the Bankinter Foundation in Madrid and the Ditchley Foundation in England.

He holds 16 honorary doctoral degrees, including a Doctor of Laws from his alma mater, Columbia University. Trachtenberg and his wife, Francine Zorn Trachtenberg, have two sons: Adam and Ben.