Controversial ex-Penn president resurfaces amid intensifying scrutiny over campus hostility toward Jewish students.
Liz Magill, former president of the University of Pennsylvania, has been appointed executive vice president and the 17th dean of Georgetown University Law Center, effective August 1, 2026. She succeeds Interim Dean Joshua Teitelbaum.
Magill previously served as dean of Stanford Law School and provost at the University of Virginia. Her new appointment comes nearly three years after her resignation from Penn following a nationally televised congressional hearing on campus antisemitism.
The Hearing That Sparked National Outrage
During testimony before Congress, Rep. Elise Stefanik pressed Magill on whether calls for the genocide of Jews violated university conduct codes. Magill responded that such determinations were “context-dependent,” prompting bipartisan criticism and public backlash.
She later clarified that calls for genocide are “evil, plain and simple,” acknowledging that her initial response failed to convey moral clarity. In subsequent interviews, including with Politico, she expressed regret and stated that Jewish students must feel secure and protected on campus.
Georgetown’s Ongoing Scrutiny
Georgetown, like many elite institutions, has faced heightened attention since the October 7 Hamas attacks. Controversies have included:
- The detention of postdoctoral fellow Badar Khan Suri over alleged Hamas propaganda activity (currently under appeal).
- Administrative action involving Professor Jonathan Brown following public remarks regarding Iran.
- The university’s decision to sever ties with Francesca Albanese, whom the U.S. sanctioned earlier this year over antisemitism allegations.
These developments reflect broader tensions within American academia over free speech, Israel policy, and campus safety for Jewish students.
Magill’s appointment signals Georgetown’s decision to move forward with experienced leadership despite past controversy. The challenge ahead will be clear: ensuring that academic freedom never becomes a shield for hatred — and that Jewish students, alongside all others, are protected without ambiguity.
