Ex-Chicago Mayor Lightfoot to teach course at Harvard

Former Wyoming Republican Rep. Liz Cheney, who lost her primary in 2022 to a Trump-backed challenger, was appointed as a professor of politics at the University of Virginia in March.

By Ben Whedon

Published: June 1, 2023 4:39pm

Former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot will teach a course at Harvard University after decisively losing her bid to serve another term as leader of the Windy City.

Lightfoot took third place in the first round of voting earlier this year, earning just 16.8% of the vote. Her tenure was marred by rampant crime, an issue that became a focal point for her challengers during the campaign.

The Harvard Gazette confirmed Wednesday that Lightfoot would serve as a Richard L. and Ronay A. Menschel Senior Leadership Fellow for the school's fall term and will teach a course on "health policy and leadership." Lightfoot oversaw the city's response to the COVID-19 pandemic while in office.

The Menschel fellowship offers a chance for recent government officials, journalists, or organization leaders to mentor students seeking to go into similar careers. Lightfoot will maintain regular office hours while at the school, the Gazette reported.

The former Chicago mayor is not the only ousted politician to enter academia this year. Former Wyoming Republican Rep. Liz Cheney, who lost her primary in 2022 to a Trump-backed challenger, was appointed as a professor of politics at the University of Virginia in March.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on Twitter.