Beto to Teach Texas Politics at Texas State University

The University Star has more on the possibility of "Professor Beto:"

Former U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke will teach Texas politics at Texas State in the spring 2021 semester, the Department of Political Science told The University Star on Oct. 15.

Pending finalization of his hire, O'Rourke will join the department as an instructor teaching a synchronous online class. Political Science Chair Ken Grasso says he discussed potential class subjects with O'Rourke, who he says gravitated toward Texas politics.

“He originally approached people in the administration... and expressed an interest in teaching,” Grasso said. “I was thrilled. He's got a unique take on things with his experience as a congressman and as [a] senatorial candidate and even a presidential candidate. So we're very happy to have him.”

Grasso says O’Rourke expressed a desire to connect with young adults as his motivation to teach, especially during such a "crucial time for the state and the country."

He added that O'Rourke's arrival will be an exciting development for Texas State's political science faculty and staff.

“I don't know that so much it's going to increase enrollments; it'll certainly increase visibility,” Grasso said. “That's always a good thing. We tend to sometimes to get lost in the shadow of other institutions.”

KSAT.com has more:

Since former Democratic Congressman Beto O’Rourke’s near-upset victory against U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz in 2018 and his short-lived presidential run, political observers have wondered what his next move would be.

Estimations ranged from a bid for Texas governor or president to authoring a book (or a blog).

But on Thursday night, the University Star reported that O’Rourke is expected to teach politics at Texas State University in San Marcos in 2021.

The school newspaper, citing the Department of Political Science, wrote that the El Paso politician is working through finalizing his employment to teach an online class as an instructor.

“He originally approached people in the administration... and expressed an interest in teaching,” political science chair Ken Grasso told the Star. “I was thrilled. He’s got a unique take on things with his experience as a congressman and as [a] senatorial candidate and even a presidential candidate. So we’re very happy to have him.”

O’Rourke has not publicly addressed the hiring. He’s been campaigning for Democratic candidates across the state in an effort to flip the Texas House.