Mr. Doyle Goes to Washington: Assistant history professor leaving to work under Hilary Clinton next spring

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Randall Doyle is going to have a new boss starting next May.

The assistant history professor has traveled the world from Europe to Australia, but his next stop will be next spring in Washington, D.C., where he will write reports for Secretary of State Hillary Clinton — his dream job.

The idea of Doyle working for Clinton began last February when he met Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, who covers East Asian and Pacific Affairs.

Doyle said he had always been a fan of Campbell and what he stood for, so when he recognized Campbell at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, he introduced himself.

Campbell was caught off guard when Doyle asked for a job, but after chatting for a while, he was impressed with Doyle’s experience and background.

Assistant history professor Randall Doyle, 52, teaches east asian and modern China classes at CMU and has been teaching for six years. He is originally from Oakland, Calif. and recieved his doctorate in philosophy from the University of Idaho in 1996 and lived for ten years in the Asia Pacific area of the world, mostly in South Korea and Japan. Photography has become one of his favorite ways to remember his travels. In May, Doyle will leave CMU to work for Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. (Libby March/Staff Photographer)

About a month later, Doyle received a letter offering him a position to work for the Franklin Fellows, a program initiated by the U.S. State Department.

“I simply could not pass up an opportunity like that,” Doyle said.

Professor Timothy Hall, who was chairman of the history department through June, wrote a letter of recommendation for Doyle and served as a reference.

“I am delighted for this recognition of Dr. Doyle’s expertise in East Asian and Pacific Rim affairs,” Hall said. “It is a great honor for him and a credit to the quality of his work in the field.”

Current history chairman and professor Mitchell Hall feels the same way.

“It sounds like an excellent opportunity for someone to get their foot in the door by doing some significant work within the government,” Mitchell Hall said. “He’s been a very good contributor to the department so his contributions will certainly be missed.”

Doyle’s area of responsibility will concern human rights, education and labor in Southeast Asia.

He will study and write reports concerning the human rights of Southeast Asia, reports will eventually be sent to Clinton.

“It’s like I’m jumping in the deep end, which excites me because I see it as a new challenge in my academic career,” Doyle said. “Having the chance to work for Clinton is an honor.”

Doyle was surprised at the speed of the offer, but said his background, knowledge, and connection to Campbell all made him stand out.

“You can’t beat the hands-on experience of someone who lived, worked, and studied in the region,” Doyle said.

Leaving CMU

Although Doyle is very excited about his new job, it does mean he will not be returning to Central Michigan University, his place of employment since 2005. During that time period, he has worked to rebuild the university’s East Asian history program, which was non-existent upon his arrival.

“Working here has allowed me to grow as a scholar and as a teacher,” he said. “I think it’s important to teach and understand Asia’s power in the 21st century.”

Doyle’s co-workers in the history department are sad to see him go, but happy and helpful for his new position.

The most important question regarding future peace and prosperity relies on the relationship between the U.S and China in the 21st century, Doyle said.

He hopes after his first year with the Franklin Fellows program, he will be offered a permanent position dealing with Asia.

“I’d prefer East Asia because it is where the geopolitical actions are going to be taking place,” Doyle said. “If you want to know where the power is, follow the money to Asia, especially the East.”