Full Breakdown
Sen. Gary Peters to Lead USC’s Center for the Political Future
By Drooid · · How we work
Transition to Academia
Retiring Michigan U.S. Senator Gary Peters, 67, announced he will become director of the Center for the Political Future at the University of Southern California (USC) after his Senate term ends in January. He will also hold the Carmen H. and Louis Warschaw Endowed Chair in Practical Politics and serve as director of the Jesse M. Unruh Institute of Politics. The role replaces founding director Robert Shrum, who is stepping down, and pairs Peters with longtime Republican strategist Mike Murphy, the center’s co-director.
Career Overview and Academic Background
Peters served three terms in the U.S. House and two terms in the Senate, totaling 18 years in Congress. Prior to his political career he taught American government at Central Michigan University, management and business policy at Oakland University, and finance at Wayne State University. He holds advanced degrees from the University of Detroit Mercy, Wayne State University and a master’s in philosophy from Michigan State University, where he was pursuing a doctorate before entering politics.
Official Statements & Responses
Peters said the center’s mission—to foster civil dialogue and bipartisan problem-solving—aligned with his desire to counter “hyper-partisan” polarization in Washington. He emphasized his continued residence in Michigan, noting he will travel between Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and his home state. He also expressed a commitment to expanding the center’s Washington presence through USC’s Capital Campus, linking students with policymakers.
James Bullock, dean of USC’s Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, praised Peters’s blend of public service and bipartisan leadership, noting the value of his experience for students in both Los Angeles and Washington.
Verbatim Quote
- “Gary Peters brings an extraordinary combination of public service, bipartisan leadership and real experience getting things done in Washington,” — James Bullock, dean of the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences.