John Kirby Named New Director Of U. Of Chicago’s Institute Of Politics

ByMichael T. Nietzel,

Senior Contributor.

John F. Kirby will become the new director of the University of Chicago’s Institute of Politics. According to the university’s announcement, Kirby will take over on November 15.

A retired United States Navy rear admiral, Kirby has held a number of high profile positions in the federal government. From 2022 to 2025, he served as White House National Security Communications Advisor. Prior to that he was Pentagon Press Secretary and Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs in the Biden administration. Kirby also worked in the Obama administration as Pentagon Press Secretary from 2013 to 2015 and as the spokesperson for the United States Department of State.

A 1985 graduate of the University of South Florida, with a BA in history, Kirby also earned a Master of Science in international relations from Troy University and a Master of Arts in national security and strategic studies from the Naval War College.