Petraeus has also added positions at other institutions of higher learning to his post-CIA resume. This year, he joined both the City University of New York and the University of Southern California. Unlike his posts at those institutions, Petraeus' position at Harvard does not involve teaching.

Petraeus’ stint at the City University of New York, which was announced this summer, was met with mild yet fervent opposition from some of the school’s affiliates. Over 500 professors and graduate students signed a petition asking for Petraeus’ termination after six students were arrested for protesting his appointment on grounds of his actions at the helm of military operations in Afghanistan.

After leading war efforts in Afghanistan, Petraeus became CIA Director in 2011. He stepped down from that post following a well-publicized scandal surrounding an extramarital affair with Paula D. Broadwell, a Kennedy School alumna and Petraeus’ biographer at the time. The two met at an event at the Institute of Politics in 2006.

The press release does not specify when Petraeus’ fellowship will begin.

In July, Gawker reported that Petraeus had secured a fellowship at the Kennedy School, citing documents obtained via a Freedom of Information Law request. Friday’s press release marks the first time the Kennedy School has acknowledged the appointment.

—Staff writer Steven R. Watros can be reached at steven.watros@thecrimson.com. Follow him on Twitter @SteveWatros.