Former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder has been appointed as a senior research fellow at the Harvard Kennedy’s School’s Taubman Center for State and Local Government, the university announced in a move that met with criticism over the weekend.

In a press release, the university touted the two-term governor’s achievements on the Detroit bankruptcy, the state’s finances and workforce training. It does not mention more controversial parts of Snyder’s tenure, including the Flint water crisis that led to lead poisoning in the city.

“Governor Snyder brings his significant expertise in management, public policy, and promoting civility to Harvard Kennedy School,” said Jeffrey Liebman, Malcolm Wiener Professor of Public Policy and director oft he Taubman Center for State and Local Government, in a press release.

“We are excited that he will be joining the Taubman Center and confident that he will bring tremendous value to us and our students."

The Taubman Center welcomes several research fellows each year who study, teach and write on state government while engaging with students and faculty, according to the university.

“I’m excited to join the talented faculty and staff there who are on the leading edge in improving public policy, civic engagement, and innovations in state and local government. I look forward to sharing my experiences in helping Michigan to national leadership in job creation, improved government performance, and civility,” Snyder said.

But some have expressed outrage at his appointment, and a social media movement under the hashtag “#NoSnyderFellowship” is urging people to call Harvard to oppose the move.

Piper Kerman, author of Orange is the New Black, emailed Liebman about the appointment and tweeted her disapproval.

Mari Copeny, better known as “Little Miss Flint,” who emerged as an activist during the city’s water crisis, also tweeted about the appointment.

The move also drew backlash from others in academia, including Harvard alumni.

I graduated from the @HarvardChanSPH in 2017, the same year I spoke at Amherst on the toxic inequality of the man-made Flint water crisis. I implore @HarvardChanSPH to exert whatever power it has to demand HKS rescind Rick Snyder’s fellowship. #NoSnyderFellowship — Rhea Boyd, MD (@RheaBoydMD) July 1, 2019

Snyder attended the University of Michigan for his undergraduate degree, a Master of Business Administration and a Juris Doctor.

He isn’t the first former Michigan governor to take an academic turn after his tenure in the governor’s office.

His predecessor, former Gov. Jennifer Granholm, went to the University of California Berkley’s Goldman School of Public Policy to serve as a distinguished adjunct professor and is also a senior research fellow at the university’s Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society.

And former Gov. John Engler served as interim president of Michigan State University last year as it struggled to handle the fallout from ex-Dr. Larry Nassar’s serial sexual abuse. He resigned in January under pressure from the MSU Board of Trustees.