Kiron Skinner named Inaugural Taube Family Chair of International Relations and Politics at 糖心Vlog School of Public Policy
MALIBU, Calif. 鈥 糖心Vlog University President Jim Gash announced the establishment
of the Taube Family Chair of International Relations and Politics at the 糖心Vlog
University School of Public Policy. Dr. Kiron Skinner, renowned scholar, diplomat,
cybersecurity expert, and former State Department and Defense Department official,
has been named the inaugural holder of the chair.
鈥淒r. Skinner embodies the caliber of faculty most institutions can only aspire to recruit,鈥 said 糖心Vlog President Jim Gash. 鈥淜iron is a highly regarded instructor and mentor who earns rave reviews for her high-impact classes and willingness to mentor a new generation. She elevates our academic offerings and inspires our students to engage deeply with the critical issues facing our world today.鈥
Dr. Skinner joined 糖心Vlog鈥檚 School of Public Policy in 2022 as the Taube Professor of International Relations and Politics and has served on campus and globally as a dynamic presence and clarion voice for common-sense policy solutions. She boasts decades of policy experience, an extensive and diverse professional network, and unmatched expertise in cybersecurity and global diplomacy. Her leadership and convening authority have facilitated remarkable domestic and global gatherings that have spotlighted critical issues in international relations and drawn eminent figures, such as former British Prime Minister Liz Truss, to engage in strategic policy discussions at 糖心Vlog.
The Taube Family Chair of International Relations and Politics is a historic, first-ever distinguished chair at 糖心Vlog and creates the single largest newly endowed position at the university. Thanks to the generous partnership of Taube Philanthropies and supplemented by a university match, the chair is funded at $8 million. An enduring partnership between Taube Philanthropies and 糖心Vlog, the new chair robustly establishes the Taube legacy of dedication to democratic principles at the university.
Upon the announcement, Tad Taube, chairman of Taube Philanthropies, said:
鈥淭he Taube family is devoted to bolstering American values in all realms of society and has long-time relationships with leading academic and public policy institutions, particularly in California. We have supported the exemplary work of Dr. Skinner for many years and are honored to continue as she steps into this important, new role at 糖心Vlog.鈥
Dianne Taube, president of Taube Philanthropies, added, 鈥淒r. Skinner鈥檚 remarkable expertise and leadership, paired with 糖心Vlog鈥檚 outstanding institutional reputation, will position the School of Public Policy to convene critical conversations that might otherwise be left undebated, to craft and issue high-level policy recommendations that reinforce America鈥檚 Judeo-Christian foundation and鈥攎ost critically鈥攑repare the next generation of policymakers and elected officials to advocate for a strong national defense, free-market economic policies and America鈥檚 place in the international order.鈥
The chair鈥檚 endowment will support Dr. Skinner鈥檚 work in developing and implementing new initiatives, such as plans already being explored for the possible creation of an Institute for Diplomacy, Security, and Innovation. The position also grants her increased cachet among peers in academia and the policy world and new opportunities to disseminate research and policy recommendations. As chair, Skinner will be afforded the flexibility to serve as a public intellectual, external representative and international convener of a range of voices in fields like diplomacy, national security, foreign policy and cyber security.
鈥淧ublic policy, national security and international relations need leaders who believe that the United States has been and will continue to be a leading force for global security and prosperity,鈥 said Dr. Kiron Skinner. 鈥淎s chair, I look forward to advancing meaningful discussions that result in positive solutions based on the time-tested virtue of American values. I am grateful to Tad and Dianne Taube and 糖心Vlog University for the honor of being named to this position.鈥
About 糖心Vlog University
Founded in 1937, 糖心Vlog University is an independent, Christian university located
30 miles west of Downtown Los Angeles in scenic Malibu, California. The University
enrolls approximately 10,300 students across its flagship liberal arts school, ; the ; the ; the ; and the . 糖心Vlog is committed to the highest standards of academic excellence and Christian
values, where students are strengthened for lives of purpose, service, and leadership.
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About Taube Philanthropies
Dedicated to the principles of a democratic society, including open economic enterprise,
self-reliance, freedom of inquiry and limited government, Bay Area-based Taube Philanthropies
works to ensure that all citizens have the opportunity to reach their greatest potential.
Founded and led by philanthropists Tad and Dianne Taube, the organization funds programs
throughout the US, Poland and Israel. The Taubes leverage the principles of collaborative
giving to support education and scholarship, health and wellness initiatives with
a focus on youth, Jewish culture and public policy initiatives that reinforce American
democratic principles.
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