Former Secretary of State Takes On New Academic Role at Columbia University

Four students walking in a corridor together.

Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo joins Columbia University as a professor, bringing conservative leadership to a campus recently rocked by antisemitism allegations and far-left protests.

Key Takeaways

Columbia University appointed former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to teach diplomacy and leadership as a fellow at the Institute of Global Politics.
Pompeo’s appointment comes amid pressure on elite universities to incorporate more conservative voices and viewpoints.
The former Trump administration official has been a staunch Israel supporter and previously condemned Columbia protesters as a “violent, pro-Hamas mob.”
Columbia’s administration insists the hiring was not politically motivated despite its timing after antisemitism controversies on campus.
Pompeo aims to defend “traditional American values” and teach students about “the greatness of our nation.”

A Conservative Voice on a Liberal Campus

Columbia University has hired former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to teach a course on diplomacy, decision-making, and organizational leadership as a fellow at the Institute of Global Politics. This notable appointment comes at a time when elite academic institutions face mounting criticism for their ideological homogeneity and perceived hostility toward conservative viewpoints. Pompeo’s presence on campus represents a significant step toward ideological diversity at one of America’s most prestigious universities, where liberal perspectives have traditionally dominated academic discourse.

Pompeo, who served as Secretary of State and CIA Director under President Trump, brings substantial real-world experience to the classroom. His tenure included major diplomatic achievements such as moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem and brokering the historic Abraham Accords. These accomplishments stand in stark contrast to the Biden administration’s chaotic foreign policy failures, from the disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal to the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East that have escalated under current leadership.

Timing Amid Campus Controversies

The timing of Pompeo’s appointment is particularly meaningful given Columbia’s recent struggles with anti-Israel sentiment and protests. The university made headlines last year when students established pro-Hamas encampments on campus, creating an environment many Jewish students described as threatening and hostile. Pompeo himself has not minced words about these demonstrations, previously condemning the protesters as a “violent, pro-Hamas mob” and supporting their arrests when they violated campus policies and disrupted university operations.

“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 officials insist Pompeo’s hiring was not the result of political pressure, claiming the appointment had been planned for months. However, the decision comes at a convenient time as the university attempts to recover its reputation after being criticized for its weak initial response to antisemitism on campus. As a strong supporter of Israel who shifted U.S. policy on Israeli settlements while in office, Pompeo’s presence may help balance the narrative at an institution where pro-Palestinian sentiment has often drowned out pro-Israel voices.

Teaching American Greatness

Pompeo has made it clear that his teaching philosophy will directly counter the progressive narratives that dominate higher education. Rather than echoing the critical theories that frame America as fundamentally flawed, he intends to promote what he calls “traditional American values” and educate students about the nation’s greatness. This approach represents a refreshing alternative to the America-last ideology that has become entrenched in many university curricula, where students are taught to view their country’s history through an exclusively negative lens.

“I am thrilled to join the Institute and to provide 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” – Mike Pompeo

Pompeo has emphasized his commitment to promoting “fair, reasoned, and fact-based discourse” in the classroom. This stands in stark contrast to the emotional, identity-based rhetoric that often substitutes for substantive debate on college campuses. By focusing on America’s strengths rather than exclusively on its flaws, Pompeo’s course promises to offer students a perspective they are unlikely to encounter in their other classes, where critical race theory and related ideologies have become the default lens for examining American history and policy.

A Broader Conservative Movement in Academia

Pompeo’s appointment is part of a larger conservative effort to reclaim space in higher education. After decades of watching universities drift further left, conservatives are finally pushing back against the monopoly of progressive thought in academia. While leftist professors routinely indoctrinate students with radical ideas about gender, race, and America’s role in the world, conservative voices have been systematically excluded from faculty positions and speaking engagements. Pompeo’s presence at Columbia represents a small but significant crack in this ideological wall.

“The United States’ greatest risk is that we refuse to teach the next generation about the greatness of our nation.” – Mike Pompeo

It’s worth noting that Pompeo is the second former Secretary of State to join Columbia, following Hillary Clinton. The difference in their worldviews couldn’t be more stark – while Clinton represents the globalist establishment that has repeatedly failed America’s working class, Pompeo champions an America-first approach that prioritizes national sovereignty and the interests of American citizens. Students at Columbia will now have the rare opportunity to hear both perspectives, though it remains to be seen whether the university community will truly embrace intellectual diversity or continue to marginalize conservative viewpoints.