Tom Perez, chairman of the Democratic National Committee and former U.S. labor secretary under President Barack Obama, will join Brown University as a senior fellow at the Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs, the university has announced.

Perez is not leaving his position with the DNC, according to spokeswomen from Brown and the DNC.

Perez, a 1983 Brown graduate, will work with students, faculty and others, "sharing insight and knowledge gained from the years he served as a member of President Obama's administration," as well as his time spent as a local organizer. Perez will lead a study group called "Governance and Leadership in Challenging Times," and it will feature speakers including Denis McDonough, Obama's former chief of staff; Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo; Michael Steele, former chairman of the Republican National Committee, and others.

"It's a great honor to welcome Brown graduate Tom Perez to Watson this fall," said Watson Institute Director Edward Steinfeld. "He brings vast experience in local and national politics, and will undoubtedly help all of us, students and faculty alike, apply theory and research to real world challenges. What an extraordinary opportunity for all of us to learn from Tom and the numerous guests he'll bring to campus from across the political spectrum."