“Ethical leaders lead by seeing above the short term, above the urgent or the partisan, and with a higher loyalty to lasting values, most importantly to the truth," James Comey said in a statement. | Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Comey to teach ethical leadership course at College of William & Mary

Former FBI Director James Comey is joining the faculty at his alma mater, the College of William & Mary, and will teach a course on ethical leadership starting this fall, the school announced Friday morning.

“I am thrilled to have the chance to engage with William & Mary students about a vital topic — ethical leadership,” Comey said in a statement. “Ethical leaders lead by seeing above the short term, above the urgent or the partisan, and with a higher loyalty to lasting values, most importantly to the truth.”


“Building and maintaining that kind of leadership, in both the private sector and government, is the challenge of our time,” Comey said. “There is no better place to teach and learn about it than the W&M Washington Program.”

Comey was dismissed from his role at the FBI in May 2017, at the start of an investigation into the possible collusion between the Trump administration and Russia to interfere with the 2016 presidential election. The Russia probe is now spearheaded by special counsel Robert Mueller.

“Jim Comey is among William & Mary’s most distinguished alumni,” William & Mary President Taylor Reveley said. “Over the years, he has been deeply committed to his alma mater. He understands to the core of his being that our leaders must have an abiding commitment to ethical behavior and sacrificial service if we are to have good government.”

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“Our students will benefit significantly from his experience and wisdom,” Reveley added.

Comey’s course will be offered through the William & Mary Washington Center, primarily at the school’s D.C. location, in the fall 2018, spring 2019 and summer 2019 semesters. Priority enrollment will be made available to undergraduates in the William & Mary Washington Center’s program, graduate students — especially those in the Educational Policy, Planning and Leadership program — and undergraduates minoring in educational studies.

The course will be co-taught by Drew Stelljes, executive assistant professor of education and assistant vice president for student leadership.