Pepperdine University named Pete Peterson Dean of its School of Public Policy last Thursday, March 17. Peterson came to his new role after nearly a decade of working with the university, most recently as interim dean of the School of Public Policy.
Along with his involvement with Pepperdine, Peterson has worked as Executive Director of the Davenport Institute for Public Engagement and Civic Leadership since 2010, where he developed the organization’s annual Public Engagement Grant Program to aid municipal governments across California. He is also a leading national speaker and writer who co-created and co-facilitates the training seminar “Public Engagement: The Vital Leadership Skill in Difficult Times.”
Peterson currently serves on the leadership councils of the Public Policy Institute of California and California Forward. He serves on the panel of advisors for the Public Engagement Program for the League of California Cities and the public sector budget transparency firm OpenGov.
“Pete Peterson’s impact on the School of Public Policy and on local government has been a point of pride for the University,” Pepperdine provost Rick Marrs said in a statement released by the University. “I am looking forward to the ways in which Pete’s passion for and expertise in civic engagement and its many applications will help guide the future of public service leaders.”