Alexander will also put his extensive educational experience to work while at KSG. He previously served as the president of the University of Tennessee and as Secretary of Education under former president George H. W. Bush. He is currently the chair of Simplexis, a company that helps schools save money by making purchases on the Internet.

Alexander said he is still unsure how studying education policy will fit into his time at KSG, and that he will most likely wait until the fall semester to teach a course in that area. However, he may form spring term faculty and student discussion groups to address the topic.

"I'm going to wait and see what happens on campus to see where I fit in," Alexander said.

While at Harvard, Alexander will have a suite in Cabot House, but will still commute back and forth to Tennessee.

He said he looks forward to the opportunity to begin teaching now that his political career is over, and that the position will give him time to "write and reflect" on his areas of academic interest.

"At this stage in my life, it's something I intend to have fun doing," Alexander said. "And it gives me the chance to maybe inspire other people into public service."