Harvard graduates have been chosen to become the next presidents of Tufts and New York universities.

The chancellor of MIT, Lawrence S. Bacow, has been picked to lead Tufts, and the dean of NYU law school, John E. Sexton, has been appointed the head of that institution.

Bacow will become the 12th president of Tufts in August. Members of the Tufts selection committee praised his scholarship and exceptional teaching ability.

“Larry’s first-rate credentials as a scholar, educator and administrator enable him to bring a wealth of experience to Tufts,” said Nathan Gantcher, chair of Tuft’s Board of Trustees, in a statement.

“Larry is deeply committed to both teaching and research,” Gantcher said.

“At the same time, he’s an innovative leader with a global perspective,” he said.

A professor of environmental studies at MIT, Bacow has been chancellor there for three years.

In a statement, MIT President Charles M. Vest said Bacow “will be an outstanding university president.” He credited Bacow with numerous achievements, including “an enhanced learning environment, design of a new vision for our residential system, new rigor to campus space planning and major institutional partnerships with universities and industry worldwide.”