Former Vice President Mike Pence Visits Pepperdine University to Discuss the Virtues of Servant Leadership
Pepperdine University’s School of Public Policy hosted former vice president Mike Pence on Tuesday, March 4, for a special lecture to graduate students enrolled in the course How to Run the World.
Developed by Kiron Skinner, the inaugural Taube Family Chair of International Relations and Politics at Pepperdine, How to Run the World is an exceptional graduate-level course that relies upon insightful dialogues with various world leaders to help students grapple with the theoretical principles and modern-day obstacles of public service. By participating as a guest lecturer, Pence joins Condoleezza Rice, Jim Mattis, Winsome Earle-Sears, and many other notable global figures who have engaged with School of Public Policy’s master’s students.
Mike Pence and the How to Run the World Class
“I want to tell all the students in particular that I hope you understand what a truly unique place Pepperdine University is,” said Pence in his opening remarks. “It is not the geography. It is the character and commitment to faith and freedom and principles that make Pepperdine University stand out in America.”
Pence began his talk by emphasizing that leadership is a skill that grows over time. He explained that aspiring leaders must cultivate their character by investing in their hearts, minds, and the life-giving relationships around them. Highlighting the importance of these intentional investments, Pence asserted that a leader’s character is shaped by a multitude of experiences—not just the difficult ones.
“There’s a misnomer in the rising generation that adversity creates character,” he said. “I believe that adversity reveals character . . . The outcome of [challenging] moments will be determined by every quiet moment that passed before.”
The theme of leadership continued into Pence’s dialogue with students. For more than an hour, future policymakers had the opportunity to ask the former vice president questions on topics ranging from his early days in politics, his time working in the White House, and his personal faith. Throughout the conversation, Pence explained how his Christ-centered perspective shaped his political career.
“Focus on servant leadership,” he challenged students. “More than anything else, what I have tried to live out in my 20 years in public office was to apply the principles of servant leadership, which are many and diverse. As you do that—from what I’ve witnessed in my own life and the lives of people I greatly admire—unexpected opportunities open for you. [They happen] when you’re working hard to be a servant of the people around you.”
A student's pad of notes
Pence contextualized each of his teaching points by telling stories—about his family, his experiences in Congress, and his service as vice president. These narratives provided students with a rare glimpse into how decisions of the highest order of governance are made by elected representatives. This invaluable first-person perspective from a contributor to American history created a rare experiential learning environment, encouraging master’s candidates to deeply contemplate the issues faced by civil leaders.
“Participating in Dr. Kiron Skinner's How to Run the World class is about more than just being a student—it’s about becoming a leader,” says Logan Lee, a first-year student in the class specializing in international relations and national security. “The policy challenges we face in the United States can’t be solved through textbooks or lectures alone; they require confronting the issues head-on, with determination and persistence. As leaders travel to Malibu to engage directly with us, a unique experience unfolds—one that most students will never have.”