Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo joins Columbia University as a fellow, bringing conservative viewpoints to a campus recently troubled by antisemitism allegations and protests.
Key Takeaways
- Mike Pompeo has been appointed as a fellow at Columbia’s Institute of Global Politics to teach a course on diplomacy, decision-making, and organizational leadership.
- The appointment comes as elite universities face pressure to incorporate more conservative perspectives and diverse ideologies in academic discourse.
- Pompeo, a strong Israel supporter and architect of major Middle East policies including the Abraham Accords, brings relevant experience amid campus antisemitism controversies.
- Columbia’s leadership emphasized that Pompeo’s hiring was planned for months and not a reaction to political pressure, despite recent criticisms of the university.
- Pompeo expressed enthusiasm for promoting “fair, reasoned, and fact-based discourse” while teaching students about American values.
Columbia Welcomes Conservative Voice Amid Campus Tensions
Columbia University has appointed former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo as a fellow at its Institute of Global Politics, where he will lead a course focused on diplomacy, decision-making, and organizational leadership. The appointment represents a significant addition of conservative perspective at the prestigious Ivy League institution, which has recently faced criticism over its handling of antisemitism allegations and pro-Palestinian protests. Pompeo, who served as Secretary of State during the Trump administration, brings substantial foreign policy experience to the role, particularly regarding Middle East relations.
The timing of Pompeo’s appointment coincides with growing calls for elite universities to broaden their ideological diversity. Columbia has specifically emphasized that this hiring decision was not a response to external political pressure but had been in planning for months. Dean Keren Yarhi-Milo of Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs highlighted the importance of bringing diverse viewpoints to campus, noting that engaging with practitioners from different ideological backgrounds benefits both students and faculty.
Pompeo’s Vision for Teaching American Values
In accepting the position, Pompeo expressed his commitment to promoting balanced discourse and American ideals in the classroom. His approach aligns with his history of advocacy for traditional American values and strong support for Israel. As Secretary of State, Pompeo oversaw significant policy shifts regarding Israel, including moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem and facilitating the Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and several Arab nations. These experiences may prove particularly relevant as Columbia addresses ongoing tensions related to Middle East politics.
“The United States’ greatest risk is that we refuse to teach the next generation about the greatness of our nation.” – Mike Pompeo
Pompeo has previously criticized Columbia protesters as a “violent, pro-Hamas mob” and supported their arrests during campus demonstrations. His strong pro-Israel stance offers a counterpoint to what some conservatives have perceived as academia’s leftward tilt on Middle East issues. In his new role, Pompeo stated he looks forward to “providing a unique voice defending traditional American values and the Founders’ vision for our great nation, alongside the necessity to support our allies across the world.”
Part of a Broader Push for Ideological Diversity
Pompeo becomes the second former Secretary of State to join Columbia, following Hillary Clinton. His appointment represents part of a broader trend of universities incorporating more conservative voices amid criticism that American higher education has become too politically homogeneous. Dean Yarhi-Milo emphasized the importance of engaging with differing positions and ideologies, rejecting the notion that universities should function as isolated ivory towers.
“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
While Pompeo served in the Trump administration, he has since distanced himself from former President Trump’s claims about the 2020 election and the January 6 Capitol riot. Reports indicate that Trump has soured on his former Secretary of State, recently denying him a security detail. Nevertheless, Pompeo’s diplomatic experience—including his work on North Korea negotiations, Middle East peace efforts, and China policy—provides substantial real-world knowledge to share with Columbia students as they explore global diplomatic challenges.
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
