Former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence talks with students while teaching a class at Grove City College. Submitted photo

Mike Pence gradually climbed the political ladder on his way to serving as the 48th vice president of the United States from 2017-21 under former President Donald Trump.

Despite holding the second highest office in the country, the former six-term congressman and Indiana governor wanted to take on a new challenge, one unlike any of his previous roles.

Pence and Grove City College President Paul J. McNulty, are stepping into the classroom as professors to co-teach a variety of political science classes at the college during the fall semester.

“I just have immense respect for the mission of Grove City College and the opportunity to teach several courses with young men and women who I know are going to be Christian leaders in this country in the years ahead is a great privilege,” Pence said in a Friday, Sept. 6 news release.

The private liberal arts school, which has deep roots in the Christian faith, welcomed Pence in an ongoing effort to explore Christianity’s role in public institutions across the country in different sectors of life that include government, academia, media, and business.

Pence was named the first Distinguished Visiting Fellow for Faith and Public Life when Grove City College established the Center for Faith & Public Life in April.

The initiative aims to expand awareness of the historic relationship between religious belief and public life; explore ways to integrate faith in public policy and service; and strengthen opportunities for Christian engagement in public life, according to a Grove City news release.

He and McNulty taught two classes on Thursday, Sept. 5. Those classes included Christianity and Public Policy, a small seminar course, and Faith and Public Service, a large lecture class with more than 200 students.

Throughout his more than two decades in public service, Pence, 65, has openly discussed how his Christian faith has guided his judgment and long-term life goals.

“When I first came to Christ as a freshman in college after growing up with an interest in politics, I thought I was going to have to choose between living out my Christian faith or living out my goal of public service,” he said in a news release. “You don't have to make that choice. You can live as a Christian believer and stay true to your principles and, through public life, have an impact on the nation.”

McNulty, who took over as Grove City’s ninth president in 2014 and is retiring at the end of this academic year, will lead the classes in person, while Pence often will teach over video conference from Indiana, where he lives with his wife, Karen.

Pence spent his first day on campus talking with students, faculty and staff, while discussing the Center for Faith & Public Life.

“The vice president's description of how his faith forms the foundation and core principles of his life had an enormous impact on our students and will significantly influence their decisions regardless of the occupations they pursue. His visits will be a highlight of the year,” McNulty said in the news release.