Honored to join @RalstonCollege in Savannah, GA on November 6 for a public lecture drawn from my book “American Trojan” (@EncounterBooks). We will discuss resilience, the classical tradition, and how universities can reclaim their mission of transmitting knowledge and forming young minds. I look forward to the conversation. Register to attend:

Deep gratitude to USC Marshall + Leventhal Alumni Association San Diego Chapter for organizing such a beautiful and engaging evening in celebration of my book, American Trojan (@EncounterBooks). It was a true privilege to gather with the Trojan Family at the Epstein Family Alzheimer’s Therapeutic Research Institute and to share the book’s central themes: the American Dream, resilience as a foundation of leadership, the rise of @USC, and the renewal of higher education. Special thanks to everyone who helped make the evening so memorable.

NEW PODCAST EP: Keith Whittington interviews Max Nikias, president emeritus of the University of Southern California, about his new book, American Trojan: Leadership, Resilience, and the Renewal of Higher Education. He joins the podcast to discuss the challenges facing American higher ed and how the system can pursue renewal. Stream wherever you get your pods.

Thank you, Keith Whittington and @AFA_Alliance, for having me on the Academic Freedom Podcast. We talked about my book American Trojan (@EncounterBooks), but mostly about what our universities need now: renewal. Renewal begins with free inquiry, open debate, and the courage to defend academic freedom on campus. Listen here:

SPECIAL EVENT: Jim Ellis in conversation with C L Max Nikias ✌️ Former Marshall Dean Jim Ellis discusses his new book with former USC President C.L. Max Nikias and shares his lessons on leadership and legacy. 💪 #fighton# #leadership# #gratitude# #legacy# #pagesabookstore#

Proud to endorse Ambassador @robertcobrien “Bring Them Home.” A gripping, must-read chronicle of the secret missions that brought Americans home from captivity abroad. It captures the human stakes, the resolve, and the leadership required—with grace, grit, and hard-won insight. No American left behind. A must-read. Strongly recommended.

I am deeply appreciative of the generous and insightful review of “American Trojan” (@EncounterBooks) by Pavlos K. Pavlou, a distinguished journalist and Chairman of the Board of the Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation (ΡΙΚ), published in Politis. His reflections on the book’s themes of resilience, the American Dream, and “Don’t dwell on the negatives of the past; speak of a better future” convey the spirit of the story. Grateful for his engagement and for bringing these pages to Cypriot readers. Book available at Soloneion Bookshop in Nicosia, Cyprus

Grateful to Dr. Lisa Nguyen and the Trojan League of South Bay for hosting this evening on “American Trojan” published by @EncounterBooks. Join us Nov. 11 at 6:30 PM at The Rex Steakhouse in Redondo Beach, CA for a conversation on the immigrant American Dream, resilience in leadership, the rise of USC (with first-time athletic stories), and the renewal of higher education. “American Trojan” has been endorsed by General David H. Petraeus, @Schwarzenegger, @robertcobrien, and @VDHanson among many others. RSVP - Send email to brett@therexsteakhouse.com Subject: RSVP — An Evening with C. L. Max Nikias (Nov 11)

Thank you to the @cyIodcg for the privilege of joining you at the PwC Cyprus Experience Center and for the warm hospitality extended throughout the afternoon. Special thanks to @kyriac_kokkinos, a great leader, for the kind invitation to share thoughts on “Guardians of the Enterprise.” I thoroughly enjoyed the thoughtful exchanges with so many directors and business leaders. Grateful for the opportunity to engage on the duties, disciplines, and judgment that shape effective board leadership—and on the vital importance of CEO succession planning as an ongoing responsibility of the board.

Happy 4th of July! On the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, we are grateful for the wisdom of our Founding Fathers. Rooted in the Greco-Roman classics, their republic has endured 250 years as the unparalleled land of freedom and opportunity. 🇺🇸 #July4th#

I am pleased to share that my book, “American Trojan: Leadership, Resilience, and the Renewal of Higher Education,” (@EncounterBooks) was the No. 1 bestseller for the month of June at Pages Bookstore in Manhattan Beach, California. This recognition is particularly meaningful, as it reflects continued reader engagement with the principles of transformative leadership and personal resilience, the rise of USC and how the university retained its academic integrity over ideological pressures, and the essential renewal of higher education’s core mission—several months following the book’s publication in March. I extend my sincere gratitude to the dedicated team at Pages Bookstore for their steadfast support, and to the readers in the Manhattan Beach and South Bay communities whose interest has sustained this achievement. Autographed copies of “American Trojan” are available for order through Pages Bookstore. To purchase a copy or to request a personalized inscription, please visit:

I had the privilege of presenting key themes from my book, “American Trojan: Leadership, Resilience, and the Renewal of Higher Education,” at the Sun Valley Policy Forum 2026 Summer Institute. The discussion addressed resilience as a foundation of leadership, the immigrant covenant of hard work, gratitude and giving back to America, and the imperative for renewal in American higher education. It was an honor to participate in a session moderated by Christina Culver, Chief Executive Officer of the Sun Valley Policy Forum. Among the distinguished presenters was General David Petraeus, who has generously endorsed the book.

Excited to present my book, “American Trojan: Leadership, Resilience, and the Renewal of American Higher Education,”(@EncounterBooks) at the Sun Valley Policy Forum 2026. This distinguished gathering is celebrating Liberty on the occasion of America’s 250th anniversary. I look forward to contributing to the thoughtful discussions on leadership and the imperative for renewal of American higher education.