Kiron Skinner, Ph.D

Dr. Kiron Skinner, a distinguished scholar and former Director of Policy Planning at the United States Department of State in the Trump administration, is a prominent figure in international relations and politics. Presently serving as the Taube Professor of International Relations and Politics at the Pepperdine University School of Public Policy, she imparts her expertise through graduate courses in national security and public leadership.

Dr. Skinner’s academic journey includes her tenure as the Taube Professor of International Relations and Politics at Carnegie Mellon University, where she also served as the founding director of the Institute for Politics and Strategy and associated centers. Additionally, she holds the esteemed position of W. Glenn Campbell Research Fellow at the Hoover Institution.

A respected author, Dr. Skinner co-authored two New York Times bestsellers on Ronald Reagan: “In His Own Hand” (2001) and “Reagan, a Life in Letters” (2003). Her contributions extend beyond academia, as evidenced by her appointment by President George W. Bush to the National Security Education Board in 2005.

After her impactful role at the Department of State, Dr. Skinner returned to Carnegie Mellon University until her departure in 2021. Her multifaceted career, marked by scholarly achievements, policy influence, and presidential appointments, positions Dr. Kiron Skinner as a key figure in the intersection of academia and government service.