Former 60 Minutes correspondent Scott Pelley was dismissed from CBS News in early June after a confrontation with program management. During the summer he conducted a series of interviews and expressed dissatisfaction with the new leadership. He has now accepted a new role in academia.
Pelley will serve as a Journalist in Residence at Columbia Journalism School for the 2026–27 academic year. The appointment follows the school’s decision to bring in experienced reporters to strengthen its educational offerings.
The position is part of the CJS2030: Democracy Initiative, a core element of the school's strategy to enhance accountability journalism. The initiative integrates classroom instruction with the work of the school’s centers to support investigative reporting.
Throughout his residency, Pelley will conduct lectures, workshops, and special events, working closely with students both individually and in groups. He will also contribute an article to the Columbia Journalism Review, providing students with direct exposure to his reporting expertise.
The appointment adds to a roster that includes fellow journalist Sharyn Alfonsi, who has also been named a Journalist in Residence for the same academic year. Both reporters have covered major national and international stories across a range of topics.
Columbia Journalism School’s decision highlights its commitment to offering students mentorship from seasoned professionals whose careers have shaped public discourse over several decades.
