Former U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin joins Johns Hopkins as distinguished senior fellow

Former U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin is joining Johns Hopkins University as a distinguished senior fellow with a joint appointment at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Agora Institute in the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences and the Foreign Policy Institute of the School of Advanced International Studies.

"Democracies are fragile and depend upon responsible civic engagement," Cardin said. "I look forward to working with the Hopkins' community to promote respectful discussions, listening as well as advocating, mindful of the goal to achieve broader support for our community challenges."

Cardin served in the U.S. Senate from 2007 to 2025, including as chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Earlier in his career, he represented Maryland in the U.S. House of Representatives and served as speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates. Across these roles, he worked on issues including democratic accountability, international cooperation, health care, environmental protection, and public service.

"Sen. Cardin brings a lifetime of invaluable experience in public service and democratic leadership," said Hahrie Han, inaugural director of the SNF Agora Institute. "We are honored to have him join our community to work with students and other constituencies seeking to promote informed engagement across difference in civic and political life."

"I am pleased to welcome Sen. Cardin to the Krieger School," said Christopher S. Celenza, dean of the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences. "His more than five decades of experience, leadership, and public service will inspire our students and faculty alike. We look forward to his participation in seminars, emerging policy debates, and conversations around critical current events. Known for his championship of civil and human rights and his ability to work across party lines, the senator will be a welcome asset to our SNF Agora Institute."

Through his joint appointment with SAIS, Cardin will also contribute to conversations on foreign policy and democratic resilience in a global context.

"We are delighted to welcome Sen. Cardin to SAIS and, in particular, to our Foreign Policy Institute," said James B. Steinberg, dean of SAIS. "Sen. Cardin's appointment gives our students, faculty, and other members of our community a remarkable opportunity to engage with a pathbreaking policy leader with deep expertise in foreign affairs and experience from a distinguished career as an elected official."