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Faculty

Jane Harman

Presidential Scholar in Residence

Headshot of Jane Harman

Biography

Jane Harman’s career is one of distinction and bipartisan leadership. Harman served on all major U.S. House security committees including Armed Services, Intelligence, and Homeland Security. She was ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee after 9/11, and Chief Counsel to the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Constitutional Rights. Routinely, she participated in classified “Gang of Eight” briefings reserved for senior Congressional intelligence committee members and bipartisan Congressional leadership. Throughout her career, she has worked diligently across the aisle to build coalitions to benefit all Americans.

As the representative for the aerospace center of California, she fueled economic growth by supporting high-tech defense industries, steering projects to her district, and keeping the Los Angeles Air Force Base open. Harman’s wealth of experience in national and state affairs was further underscored by her previous service as the Deputy Secretary of the Cabinet in President Carter’s administration, and Legislative Director/Chief Counsel to California Senator John Tunney.

Today, Harman serves as a distinguished fellow and president emerita of the Woodrow Wilson Center International Center for Scholars. The Wilson Center is an independent research center that develops nonpartisan insight and analysis to aid in the decision-making of policymakers, civic leaders, and the public at large. She also sits on the Executive Committee of the Trilateral Commission and the Advisory Board of the Munich Security Conference, while co-chairing the Homeland Security Experts Group. Harman is a recipient of the USC Presidential Medallion, the university’s highest honor recognizing individuals who have brought great distinction to the university community, and is an Honorary USC Trustee.