Columbia University appoints former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo as a fellow to teach diplomacy, challenging the status quo of liberal academia while addressing campus controversies about antisemitism.
Key Insights
- Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo joins Columbia University as a fellow at the Institute of Global Politics to teach diplomacy, decision-making, and leadership.
- The appointment comes amid growing pressure on elite schools to incorporate conservative viewpoints and address allegations of antisemitism on campus.
- Pompeo, known for his strong pro-Israel stance and role in the Abraham Accords, aims to promote “fair, reasoned, and fact-based discourse” while defending traditional American values.
- Columbia’s administration emphasizes that this appointment was planned for months and represents their commitment to intellectual diversity rather than a response to political pressure.
- Pompeo becomes the second former Secretary of State to join Columbia after Hillary Clinton, despite having criticized Columbia protesters as a “violent, pro-Hamas mob.”
Columbia Brings Conservative Voice to Campus
Columbia University has appointed former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo as a fellow at its Institute of Global Politics. In this role, Pompeo will lead a course focusing on diplomacy, decision-making, and organizational leadership, bringing his extensive experience from his time serving in the Trump administration. The strategic addition to Columbia’s faculty comes as many elite educational institutions face increasing scrutiny over their ideological balance and allegations of antisemitism on campus.
Dean Keren Yarhi-Milo of Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs highlighted the importance of this appointment for the university’s academic mission. The new position aligns with Columbia’s broader initiative to promote intellectual diversity and foster an environment where students can engage with a range of political perspectives. According to university officials, the decision to bring Pompeo on board had been in development for months and was not a direct response to recent political pressures.
Pompeo’s Vision for Academic Engagement
The former Secretary of State has expressed enthusiasm for his new teaching role and the opportunity to shape the next generation of American leaders. Pompeo, who served as both CIA Director and Secretary of State during the Trump administration, brings significant foreign policy experience to the classroom. His tenure saw major diplomatic shifts including moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem and helping broker the Abraham Accords between Israel and several Arab nations.
“The United States’ greatest risk is that we refuse to teach the next generation about the greatness of our nation.” – Mike Pompeo
Pompeo has made clear his intention to promote what he describes as “fair, reasoned, and fact-based discourse” while defending traditional American values. In his statements about joining Columbia, he emphasized the importance of engaging across the political spectrum, suggesting he sees his role as partly counterbalancing what many conservatives view as a leftward shift in higher education. While he was once a close ally of former President Trump, reports indicate Pompeo has since distanced himself from Trump’s claims about the 2020 election.
Addressing Campus Tensions
The timing of Pompeo’s appointment is particularly notable given recent controversies at Columbia involving allegations of antisemitism. As a strong supporter of Israel who previously shifted U.S. policy on Israeli settlements, Pompeo brings a perspective that stands in contrast to some campus activism. He has previously criticized Columbia protesters as a “violent, pro-Hamas mob” and supported their arrests, reflecting his firm stance on Middle East issues.
“The Academy cannot be an ivory tower. We should engage with the world because we learn a lot from engaging with practitioners with differing positions and ideologies who also ultimately can learn from us.” – Keren Yarhi-Milo
Columbia leadership has framed this appointment as part of their commitment to academic diversity rather than a politically motivated decision. Dean Yarhi-Milo specifically noted that “Secretary Pompeo’s extensive experience in global affairs and policymaking will contribute to the rich exchange of ideas that defines our academic community.” The university joins a small but growing trend of elite institutions seeking to incorporate more conservative voices into their faculties, recognizing the educational value of intellectual diversity.
Sources:
- Columbia University hires former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to teach diplomacy course: report
- Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to join Columbia University
