Former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio will be teaching classes on politics as a visiting fellow at Harvard University.
De Blasio will be starting his instruction this fall with the Institute of Politics at Harvard Kennedy School but will not be there full time, instead teaching various discussions, events, and programming throughout the semester. The mayor himself attended Columbia University and New York University.
“I am happy to join the IOP to help inspire our nation’s next generation of leaders to find ways to serve in politics and public service, and to build a government that serves working people,” de Blasio said in a press release.
EX-NEW YORK CITY MAYOR BILL DE BLASIO DROPS HOUSE BID, SAYS HE’LL QUIT POLITICS
I am VERY optimistic about the generation of leaders and activists coming up. It will be a privilege to offer lessons I’ve learned through decades of public service. My key message to them: we CAN make bold progressive change. I know because I’ve lived it. https://t.co/AtbKY9CaZd
— Bill de Blasio (@BilldeBlasio) August 24, 2022
“I am VERY optimistic about the generation of leaders and activists coming up,” de Blasio added in a tweet Wednesday. “It will be a privilege to offer lessons I’ve learned through decades of public service. My key message to them: we CAN make bold progressive change. I know because I’ve lived it.”
His appointment comes after de Blasio lost his congressional bid for New York’s 10th District and his announcement that he would not be running for governor.
“Mayor de Blasio’s decades of experience in local government, federal agencies, national campaigns, and running the largest city in the country will provide invaluable insight to our students and the Harvard community,” IOP interim Director Setti Warren said. “We are excited to welcome Mayor de Blasio to campus as we look for pathways forward on the challenges facing our democracy.”
Harvard School of Public Health Dean Michelle A. Williams welcomed the insights from de Blasio and fellow visiting professor and former Boston Mayor Kim M. Janey, saying both had the “distinction of leading during one of the toughest challenges in public health — the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“Their insights and their mentorship will be tremendously helpful to students who aspire to public office, as well as to those who are looking to lead in other sectors,” Williams said.
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The Kennedy School, established in 1966 in honor of the late president, will also feature former Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven, former Wyoming Gov. Matthew Mead, and others as visiting fellows.
