Mike Pompeo Joins Columbia as Fellow Amid Campus Controversy

NEW YORK, NY — Former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will join Columbia University as a Carnegie Distinguished Fellow, leading a course on diplomacy and organizational leadership starting March 1, 2025. The appointment comes as Columbia faces scrutiny over allegations of antisemitism on campus and pressures to diversify ideological perspectives.

Pompeo expressed enthusiasm regarding his new role, stating, “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.” His course will take place within the Institute of Global Politics, part of the School of International and Public Affairs.

Columbia Dean Keren Yarhi-Milo defended Pompeo’s hiring, emphasizing the need for engagement with differing viewpoints. “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,” she said.

Pompeo’s appointment arrives amid a backdrop of increased scrutiny over Columbia’s handling of antisemitism complaints and claims of political bias, particularly following pro-Palestinian protests. The university has been pressured by lawmakers and advocacy groups to improve its response to these concerns.

While some view Pompeo’s strong pro-Israel stance as beneficial, others are critical of his past actions as Secretary of State, including relocating the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem and declaring Israeli settlements in the West Bank not a violation of international law. Critics argue that his “America First” policy and confrontational stance towards Iran and China conflict with the university’s values.

Pompeo acknowledged the controversy surrounding his appointment, stating, “The United States’ greatest risk is that we refuse to teach the next generation about the greatness of our nation.” He indicated that he looks forward to promoting “fair, reasoned, and fact-based discourse” within the university setting.

Columbia University officials, however, maintain that the decision to hire Pompeo was not politically motivated and in the works for months. The university has also been proactive in addressing incidents of antisemitism on campus, recently suspending students involved in anti-Israel disruptions.

As the university works to balance a variety of perspectives amid a politically charged environment, Pompeo’s role will involve engaging with students and faculty on key topics related to international relations and policy-making. His tenure as a Distinguished Fellow will last through February 2026, and he will join fellow former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who is also involved with the Institute.

Whether Pompeo’s presence will alleviate or exacerbate existing tensions at Columbia remains uncertain, but the discussions surrounding his appointment will likely continue to evolve as he begins his teaching duties.