Mike Pence, a previous Vice President, assumes teaching role at George Mason University
Former Vice President Mike Pence has taken up a new role at George Mason University, joining the faculty of the Schar School of Policy and Government as a Distinguished Professor of Practice.
Pence, who served under President Donald Trump, has a rich political background. Before his tenure as Vice President, he was a congressman and served as governor of Indiana. Since leaving office, he has founded Advancing American Freedom, a conservative advocacy organization, and unsuccessfully ran for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.
Pence's appointment at George Mason University will last for one year. He will contribute to undergraduate classes starting in the spring and participate in public seminars on politics and governance.
The university has a conservative economics department and a law school named after former Supreme Court justice Antonin Scalia. However, it has been the subject of several investigations from the Trump administration over its DEI policies and alleged failures to combat campus antisemitism. Recently, the Education Department found that the university violated federal civil rights law by using race in hiring and promotion.
Despite these controversies, Mark J. Rozell, dean of the Schar School, expressed pride in welcoming Mike Pence. Rozell said, "We are thrilled to have Mike Pence join our faculty. His wealth of experience and insights will greatly benefit our students and the broader community."
Pence's appointment has come at a time when the university's president, Gregory Washington, has faced calls from some conservatives to be fired. However, Washington has vocally pushed back on the allegations and has no plans to quit.
Pence's statement regarding his appointment was, "Now more than ever we should be investing our time and resources into civil discourse on campus, and I'm honored to contribute to that mission."
Notably, Marc Short, former chief of staff to Mike Pence, and Jeffrey A. Rosen, former acting Attorney General under President Trump, have served on George Mason's Board of Visitors. Former Republican Virginia Governor Robert McDonnell has also joined the faculty at the Schar School of Policy and Government.
Pence recently visited George Mason to talk with students interested in public policy. During his visit, he blamed Trump for the violent mob that attacked the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. However, he did not elaborate on this statement.
Pence's teaching career is not new. He has taught political science at the conservative Grove City College in Pennsylvania and gives frequent interviews.
With Pence's appointment, George Mason University continues to attract high-profile figures to its faculty, further solidifying its position as a leading institution for policy and governance studies.
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