David Gergen, Professor of Public Service, Founding Director, Center for Public Leadership

David R. Gergen is a Professor of Public Service and Founding Director of the Center for Public Leadership. Over the past four decades, he has served as a White House advisor to four presidents: Nixon, Ford, Reagan, and Clinton. In the mid-1980s, he began a career in journalism, becoming editor of U.S. News & World Report and joining PBS's MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour. He joined the Kennedy School faculty in January 1999. In the fall of 2000 he published the New York Times best-seller, Eyewitness to Power: The Essence of Leadership, Nixon to Clinton. He is currently the Senior Political Analyst at CNN. He is a graduate of Yale University and Harvard Law School and holds 26 honorary degrees. He served in the Navy and is a member of the Washington, DC, Bar. His wife, Anne, is a family therapist in Cambridge.

Research Assistant Skills: Applicants should possess strong writing skills; have an interest in politics, public policy, and media; possess library and research skills; have some knowledge of presidential and political history; and be well organized and pro-active about maintaining contact. Research Assistants will work with David Gergen's staff on a wide variety of things. The primary responsibilities will be  assisting in research into leadership and key leaders throughout history and helping sometimes playing a role in prepping him for CNN appearances. Although all years are encouraged to apply, we are looking for students with previous work and research experience.

Applicants should be thoughtful, curious, diligent, and open-minded; a sense of humor is a must. 

Research Assistant Reflection:

I had great supervisors and really interesting material with which to engage. I was trusted by the staff, which therefore made the program a lot more of a seamless process.

-Kristina Lorch '17

Research Assistant Refelction:

My favorite part about working for David Gergen was that no two days were the same. The office is fast paced and the environment is electric. Working for David Gergen is a great chance for those interested in policy to integrate with an incredible team doing great work.

-Joseph Brennan '15