With the fall semester just around the corner and students returning to the Forty Acres soon, we wanted to give the LBJ community a chance to get to know our Interim Dean, James “Paul” Pope, a little better. Or, if you’ve been taught by him, you may know him as “Coach Pope.”
Rather than a traditional introduction, we decided to do it by the numbers. From 30 years with the CIA to approximately 1,000 students taught at the LBJ School, Pope’s numbers tell a story about the way he leads, what led him to LBJ, and what he hopes to accomplish during his time as Interim Dean.
#1 favorite spot on the UT Austin campus
The courtyard between the LBJ School and the LBJ Library.
Since 2015, Pope has spent almost every graduation there, surrounded by students and their families as they celebrate the next chapter of their lives.
"There, I have had the bittersweet task of saying goodbye to my students — hoping they are well-equipped to thrive in life and the workplace. It always reminds me that we are in a noble calling — developing the next generation of leaders and their desire to serve is an inspiration."
2 things students may not know about you
Outside the classroom and the dean’s office, Pope has a few stories that might surprise students. The next time you have a chance, ask him about them.
For one, he once sat next to Willie Nelson at a Nobel Peace Prize awards ceremony.
And another? He’s always up for a good karaoke night.
3 book recommendations you believe every policy student should read
1. Peter the Great by Robert K. Massie
While the book focuses on Russia, Pope recommends it as a broader lesson in how history continues to shape the way countries behave.
2. The Making of the Atomic Bomb by Richard Rhodes
While you’ll learn some science along the way, Pope says the bigger lesson is how profoundly a few people can shape the world in a short amount of time.
3. Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry
Lastly, a reminder that policy students shouldn’t spend all their time reading nonfiction. So, for your next fiction read, take Pope’s recommendation: “The Pulitzer prize-winning Texas version of The Odyssey.”
“You can’t just read non-fiction. Art, music and literature are critical to being human and developing wisdom.”
4 things students might find you doing on your days off
1. Fishing at the Bay house
Pope loves to fish, so he and his wife, Pam, often head to their Bay house on a day off. A typical evening might include fishing, a cocktail and watching the sunset.
2. Listening to live music
Pope and Pam also enjoy going out to hear live music (as long as it’s not too loud), where they can do a little two-stepping.
3. Barbecuing
He has the barbecue trailer and the photos of the finished barbecue to prove it.
4. Visiting his grandkids
If he has a free weekend, Pope spends it with his grandkids in Brooklyn, including one superhero-loving grandson who likes to dress up as Batman.
30 years served with the CIA
Following his service as a commander and staff officer in the U.S. Army, Pope spent 30 years with the CIA. Altogether, his government service spans 45 years.
In 2014, he joined the LBJ School as a CIA Officer in Residence. Since then, his work at LBJ has given him the opportunity to bring those experiences from government and national security into the classroom.
Two lessons from his career continue to guide him today:
“Policymaking isn't as hard as policy execution.”
“Serving something bigger than oneself is addicting.”
1,000+ students taught as a professor at the LBJ School
Ask him what he hopes those students have taken with them after leaving the Forty Acres, and his answer goes beyond an education.
"Knowledge is a critical and necessary component of success, but so are character, drive, hard work and communication skills."
2026 goal or milestone for the LBJ School
"That LBJ faculty will have completed a major curriculum review and created a set of recommendations and standards around integrating AI readiness into all our degree policy areas, helping ensure our students are prepared to use AI in their careers."