Former California Congresswoman Jane Harman has been named the newest Presidential Scholar-in-Residence at the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy. She joins Nobel Prize laureates and professors James Heckman and Daniel McFadden, along with other eminent scholars at the Price School. In her distinguished career, Harman served nine terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, participated in hundreds of diplomatic missions, and served on nearly a dozen governmental and non-governmental advisory boards. In her role at USC, Harman will engage with students and faculty, host salon-style events, and advise university leaders.
“Jane has long been a champion of creativity, innovation, and independent thinking at USC, and this new appointment builds on her leadership in these areas,” said USC President Carol L. Folt. “Along with her late husband, Jane helped found the USC Sidney Harman Academy for Polymathic Study, a groundbreaking program that teaches young persons how to think – rather than what to think – and encourages multidisciplinary learning throughout our community. Our students will benefit greatly from the inclusive, compassionate leadership she models.”
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.
“USC Price is honored to welcome such a notable policy expert,” said Dana Goldman, Dean and C. Erwin and Ione L. Piper Chair at the Price School. “Congresswoman Harman’s experience in national security and foreign affairs are an invaluable addition to our expertise. Her sustained dedication to public service will inspire the entire Price community.”
Her most recent book, Insanity Defense: Why Our Failure to Confront Hard National Security Problems Makes Us Less Safe, was the subject of a recent USC Price event featuring President Carol Folt, Dean Dana Goldman, and Jane Harman. The event can be watched on-demand on YouTube.