Hoover also made an influence in the academics

In his free time, Herbert Hoover gave lectures at Stanford University and Columbia University. He was able to compile his lectures into Principles of Mining, which was published in 1909. Along with capturing his knowledge and experience, the stated textbook also served as an example of Hoover's progressive ideas. Principles of Mining eventually become the required reading for several institutions.

De re Metallica or On the Nature of Metals was translated into English by Hoover and published the same year, in 1912. This is a Latin-language book by Georg Bauer that describes the techniques for mining, refining, and smelting metals. Though Hoover's efforts, On the Nature of Metals, rose to prominence in the fields of Chemistry and other academic fields.

Along with giving lectures and writing books, Hoover joined the Board of Trustees at Stanford. He oversaw a campaign there that was successful in getting John Branner selected as the school's president.