“A Pervasive Commitment to Serve: Campus Leaders from Princeton University’s Class of 2023”
Princeton University has long been known for producing leaders who are committed to serving their nation and the world. From U.S. presidents to senators to Supreme Court justices, Princeton alumni have held some of the highest offices of leadership and political power. The mission statement of Princeton University highlights this commitment to serve the nation and the world.
On campus, Princeton students have numerous opportunities to get involved in activism, student government, and political societies. These experiences can lay the groundwork for future careers in government or public service, or they can serve as stepping stones to lucrative jobs in the private sector. Among the just-graduated Class of 2023, there were several notable campus leaders who were actively involved in advocacy and political engagement.
One major event that sparked activism on campus was the “Caterpillar referendum” in March 2022. Sponsored by the Princeton Committee on Palestine (PCP), the referendum aimed to pressure the university to boycott Caterpillar, a construction equipment company accused of demolishing Palestinian homes in the Gaza Strip. Eric Periman, then-president of PCP, argued against the company’s involvement in campus projects and organized demonstrations protesting Princeton’s summer programs in Israel.
On the opposite side of the referendum debate was Adam Hoffman, then-USG Treasurer and an outspoken campus conservative. He vehemently opposed the boycott efforts, raising concerns about potential antisemitic attacks on campus and disagreeing with the referendum’s alignment with the global Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement.
Although the referendum eventually passed, Hoffman appealed the initial election results, claiming that the election had been run unfairly. The appeal was upheld by USG, resulting in a compromise that involved writing a position paper to explain the circumstances surrounding the vote.
The Caterpillar referendum highlighted the political climate at Princeton University. Despite the public sparring between campus leaders, the student body at large was not necessarily as engaged as it may have seemed. Mayu Takeuchi, then-student body President, noted in an interview that Princeton was not a highly political campus overall, with voter turnout for the referendum not being particularly high.
So, what became of the two clashing figures at the center of the Caterpillar debate? Eric Periman joined McKinsey & Company as a business analyst, focusing on the public sector. McKinsey has previously faced criticism for its involvement with controversial government and corporate clients. Adam Hoffman, on the other hand, found work with Ron DeSantis’s 2024 presidential campaign.
Another notable campus leader, Jennifer Lee, founded the nonprofit Asian Americans with Disabilities Initiative (AADI) during her time at Princeton. She aimed to amplify disabled Asian American voices and provide support for the next generation of disabled Asian Americans. Lee now works at the Center for American Progress and plans to attend Harvard Law School in the future.
The paths taken by these campus leaders reflect the diverse career choices available to Princeton University graduates. While some, like Periman and Hoffman, pursued careers that align with their political activism, others, like Takeuchi and Lee, ventured into nonpartisan think tanks and policy research organizations.
Overall, the Class of 2023 at Princeton University showcased a range of political involvement and advocacy. Campus leaders from various political perspectives made their voices heard, engaging in debates and initiatives that shaped the university’s political climate. Their experiences and career choices demonstrate the potential for Princeton graduates to continue making a difference in the world, whether through government, public service, or nonpartisan research and advocacy.
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