Cornell University's Brooks School has selected its distinguished fellows for the 2026-27 academic year, bringing two experienced public-service leaders to its campuses in Ithaca and Washington. The fellows will work with students and faculty throughout the year.
The pair will give guest lectures, hold student office hours and discuss public-service careers and current affairs. They will also connect with faculty members whose work overlaps with their areas of experience.
The school named former White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and former South Carolina Gov. David Beasley to the 2026-27 fellowship class.
Fellows bring White House and international experience
Jean-Pierre served as the 35th White House press secretary and was a senior adviser to President Joe Biden. Earlier, she was deputy press secretary, chief of staff to vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris during the 2020 campaign and a senior adviser and national spokeswoman for MoveOn.org.
She earned a master's degree in public administration from Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs. Jean-Pierre visited Cornell in 2025, meeting with classes and student fellows from the Institute on Politics and Global Affairs and appearing at an event sponsored by the Black in Public Policy student group.
Jean-Pierre said she welcomed the chance to return and share what she learned from public service with students considering similar careers.
Beasley entered the South Carolina House of Representatives at age 21 and served as governor from 1995 to 1999. Near the end of his term, he acted to remove the Confederate flag from the state Capitol dome in Columbia.
After leaving office, Beasley hosted leaders from conflict-affected countries at his family farm for discussions aimed at promoting peace. He became executive director of the United Nations World Food Programme in 2017 and remained in the role through the COVID-19 pandemic after receiving support from presidents of both parties.
The World Food Programme received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020. Beasley delivered the Nobel lecture in Oslo on behalf of the organization and said his experience leading both a state government and an international relief agency would inform his work with Cornell students.
Program focuses on public-service careers
Brooks School Dean Colleen Barry said the fellowship is intended to expose students to people who have built careers in public service. She said Jean-Pierre and Beasley bring different perspectives on regional, national and international political affairs.
Barry said Jean-Pierre's White House experience and Beasley's work leading a global organization will give students access to practical lessons about policy, leadership and public institutions. Beasley said he looked forward to sharing his perspective in the school's learning environment.
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