Dr. Elizabeth Kiss (pronounced “quiche”) became the 20th president of Union College on July 1, 2025. A distinguished scholar, administrator, and advocate for the liberal arts, she brings decades of leadership experience in higher education and a global perspective shaped by her work at prominent institutions in the U.S. and abroad.
A native of New York City and the daughter of Hungarian refugees, Kiss holds a B.A. in philosophy from Davidson College and a master’s and doctorate in philosophy from the University of Oxford. A Rhodes Scholar, Kiss has published work on moral education, human rights and transitional justice.
Her career includes foundational leadership roles such as the inaugural director of Duke University’s Kenan Institute for Ethics and 12 years as president of Agnes Scott College in Atlanta.
At Agnes Scott, Kiss launched the college’s groundbreaking Summit program, which integrates global learning and leadership development into the core curriculum. Under her leadership, the college saw record gains in enrollment and retention, expanded academic offerings in fields such as public health and business, increased support for athletics, and earned national recognition for innovation and sustainability. During her tenure, Agnes Scott completed the largest fundraising campaign in its history and received the American Council on Education’s Award for Institutional Transformation. The Chronicle of Higher Education named her one of the most influential figures in U.S. higher education in 2017.
From 2018 to 2025, Kiss served as CEO of the Rhodes Trust in Oxford, U.K., where she expanded the Rhodes Scholarship program across Africa and Asia and led initiatives such as the Schmidt Science Fellows and Rise, global fellowship programs aimed at developing future leaders in science and social impact.
Throughout her career, Kiss has been a passionate champion of inclusive excellence and the transformative power of a liberal arts education. She serves as a trustee of the Jessie Ball duPont Fund, a national foundation focused on equitable access to education, healthcare, and housing.
President Kiss was drawn to Union College for its distinctive integration of the humanities, liberal arts and STEM, its vibrant community, and its strong academic vision. She has spoken passionately about Union’s deep commitment to undergraduate research, international study, and a spirited campus life that includes both Division I and Division III athletics.
As she leads Union into its next chapter, Kiss brings a leadership style defined by collaboration, curiosity and a deep belief in the mission of higher education. She is inspired by Union’s vision to educate students to “lead with wisdom, empathy, and courage.”
Kiss is married to Jeff Holzgrefe, a scholar of international law and political theory who most recently taught at the University of Oxford.