Claremont Institute Announces New Vice President For Education

Claremont, CA—The Claremont Institute is pleased to announce the hiring of Matthew Peterson, Ph.D., as its first-ever Vice President for Education. Peterson will direct the organization’s portfolio of educational programming, including Claremont’s annual Publius, Lincoln, John Marshall, and Speechwriters fellowships. He will also oversee the creation of a new center within the organization designed to support and advance graduate level study in America.

“The hiring of a new Vice President for Education marks an exciting new chapter in Claremont’s history,” said Claremont President Ryan Williams. “I’m confident that Matt’s rich education and expertise in—and devotion to—the great truths of our Founding will help to distinguish further Claremont’s voice and place at the center of the most important and intelligent debates about the future of America. Because winning the battle of ideas must precede any lasting policy changes, Matt will help us advance with renewed energy one of our core activities: the scholarship of the politics of freedom.”

Peterson graduated from the Great Books Program at Thomas Aquinas College, and received his M.A. in politics and Ph.D. in political science from Claremont Graduate University. He has spent the past 10 years in academia teaching courses on public policy and political philosophy at Pepperdine University, Loyola Marymount University, Claremont McKenna College, and most recently, John Paul the Great Catholic University. From 2008-2011, Peterson assisted in the design and implementation of the U.S. Department of Education’s initiative, Teaching American History. Peterson also has an extensive background in media and research, including a three-year stint beginning in 2003 as a researcher for the Claremont Institute.

“I have two charges in this new position,” said Peterson. “First and foremost, if we are to continue and build upon the influence and achievement of the Claremont Institute over the last forty years, we must firmly establish graduate level programming for our best and brightest to engage in the serious study of America. Second, during this time of sweeping political changes and monumental challenges, the Claremont Institute’s voice is vital. We must continue to guide and advance serious discussion about the future of constitutional government in America. And that is what I am here to help us accomplish. I consider it a great privilege.” With its mission to “restore the principles of the American Founding to their rightful, preeminent authority in our national life,” the Claremont Institute has for nearly 40 years been a strong and effective leader in the fight for limited government, free markets, and a strong and distinctively American foreign policy. Founded in 1979, the Claremont Institute publishes the Claremont Review of Books, sponsors the Publius, Lincoln, John Marshall, and Speechwriters Fellowships for rising conservative leaders, and administers a variety of programs and publications on politics and constitutionalism.