Sharyn Alfonsi and Scott Pelley, correspondents who recently left the CBS news program "60 Minutes," are moving to academia, joining Columbia Journalism School as Journalists in Residence for the upcoming academic year. The appointments follow changes at "60 Minutes" that led to their departures.
In their new part-time roles, Alfonsi and Pelley will advise and mentor students, deliver lectures, and contribute to the Columbia Journalism Review. The school's dean, Jelani Cobb, stated that their experience covers significant national stories, including war, politics, public health, criminal justice, and international affairs. Cobb reached out to Pelley shortly after his departure in early June.
Alfonsi, who reported for "60 Minutes" for over a decade, described the position as an "extraordinary privilege" and expressed enthusiasm for working with students eager to hold power accountable. Pelley, who spent more than 37 years at CBS News, including 27 years at "60 Minutes," emphasized the critical importance of a free press and his honor in joining the effort to train future journalists at Columbia.
Both journalists were part of a significant shakeup at "60 Minutes" that included changes to the show's editorial leadership. Cobb noted that the school seeks to attract top journalistic talent and that the caliber of investigative work by Alfonsi and Pelley is "unparalleled."
Alfonsi and Pelley are scheduled to participate in a moderated dialogue with Cobb on November 11. The discussion will focus on their careers, lessons learned, and how they navigated ethical conflicts. A new slate of correspondents has been announced for the upcoming 59th season of "60 Minutes."