Seton Hall Welcomes Visiting Scholar Tom Malinowski, Distinguished Former Congressman

Seton Hall School of Diplomacy and International Relations is honored to introduce visiting scholar Tom Malinowski, a former Congressman and esteemed diplomat. Malinowski is a distinguished American politician who has been actively involved in human rights and democracy. 

Malinowski is a seasoned diplomat who served as the U.S. representative for New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District from 2019 to 2023. He held the position of Vice Chairman on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and was a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure and Homeland Security Committees. During his time in Congress, he was a leading voice on issues ranging from transportation and infrastructure to human rights, pandemic aid and supporting businesses. Malinowski secured several funds for the Portal Bridge and Gateway Tunnel. He left a strong impact during his tenure and advanced policies in New Jersey as a distinguished civil servant. As a nationally recognized leader, Malinowski recently announced his campaign for New Jersey’s 11th District.

Malinowski’s distinguished career in American diplomacy includes his role as Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor under the Obama Administration from 2014 to 2017. He promoted democracy and human rights not only in the United States but around the world. Prior to this role, he served as Washington Director at Human Rights Watch from 2001 to 2013, where he oversaw efforts by prominent NGOs to influence policies on human rights both domestically and internationally. He also served as Senior Director for Foreign Policy Speechwriting and on Clinton’s National Security Council from 1998 to 2001.

Malinowski’s career in diplomacy spans over three decades of service and activism, driven by his strong commitment to making a difference and improving lives. Born on September 23, 1965, in Poland during the Cold War, his journey began in the United States after his family fled to New Jersey when he was six years old. He grew up in New Jersey, and his efforts were focused on serving his hometown. He earned his B.A. in Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1987 and he is a graduate of the University of Oxford, where he earned a Master of Philosophy in Politics in 1991. During his graduate studies, he was a Rhodes Scholar. 

As a visiting scholar at Seton Hall School of Diplomacy, Malinowski brings a wealth of diplomatic experience, decades of field practice and academic insights to our community. Before joining Seton Hall, he served as a Visiting Lecturer at Princeton's School of Public and International Affairs. Malinowski’s presence at Seton Hall is a great honor and a valuable resource for students to learn from and be inspired by him. Students are encouraged to connect with Malinowski and participate in future research and workshop opportunities he will collaborate on with faculty. 

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