William J. was chosen. Howell, a leading scholar of American political institutions and executive power who spent nearly two decades on the faculty at the University of Chicago, has been named the inaugural dean of Johns Hopkins University's new School of Government and Politics. Announce today.
Image caption: william c. Howl
The School of Government and Politics, the university's first new academic department since 2007, will be anchored in the Hopkins Bloomberg Center in the nation's capital, drawing on JHU's existing strengths and emerging areas of expertise to develop innovative, evidence-based policy solutions for the people. One of the biggest challenges facing our nation and the world.
Howell will assume his new position starting January 1.
“An enterprising, dynamic researcher and academic leader with a distinguished scholarly record, experience as a proven and visionary administrator, and a national reputation in the field of policy—a bridge between the worlds of public policy practice, scholarship, and academic research—Professor Howell emerged from “Global research is the right choice to bring this endeavor to life.” New and critical,” JHU President Ron Daniels wrote in a letter to the Hopkins community today.
“I am excited to see the School grow and take shape, building on the University’s established presence and reputation in Washington, D.C., and I know that William’s vision, collaborative spirit, and leadership experience will serve the School and University well during this formative period, and for many years to come.”
Howell is currently the Sidney Stein Professor of American Politics at the University of Chicago, where he holds positions in the Harris School of Public Policy, Department of Political Science, and the Faculty. He is the founding director of the Center for Effective Government and faculty director of the Civic Leadership Academy, a leadership development program for civic leaders in and around Chicago who aspire to reform institutions to work more effectively for the people they serve. He previously chaired the Department of Political Science at the University of Chicago.
“I know that William’s vision, collaborative spirit and leadership experience will serve the school and university well during this formative period, and for many years to come.”
Ron Daniels
President of Johns Hopkins University
Howell has studied and written extensively on issues related to the separation of powers, political institutions, democratic reform, the American presidency, and the normative foundations of executive power. Since 2020, he has co-hosted the Harris School's popular Not Another Politics Podcast, which brings fresh perspectives to the political news cycle with an emphasis on research and data.
JHU Dean Ray Jayawardhana, who led the search, said Howell emerged as “the clear and compelling choice for this pivotal role.” “His distinguished academic record, proven leadership at the University of Chicago, and excellent reputation in policy exemplify the combination of scholarly excellence and hands-on engagement we sought to launch our School of Government and Policy. William’s visionary approach and entrepreneurial spirit will undoubtedly position our new school at the forefront of public policy research.” education and participation.”
Howell is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Letters, a 2023 Guggenheim Fellow, and the author or co-author of several books on executive power, most recently Presidents, Populism, and the Crisis of Power. Democracy (University of Chicago, 2020). Before joining the faculty at the University of Chicago in 2006, he taught at Harvard University and the University of Wisconsin. He holds a doctorate in political science from Stanford University and a bachelor's degree from Wesleyan University.
“With the new School of Government and Policy, Johns Hopkins confronts some of the most pressing challenges facing our democracy and higher education,” Howell said. “We now have an extraordinary opportunity to put scholarship to new public purposes, to redefine relationships between the academy and the outside world, to build new and impactful programs that support more effective government, and to create a space for people who look at the world very differently to come together and learn from each other, and I am grateful.” “Extremely supportive of President Daniels, Dean Jayawardhana, and the wonderful team behind this school, after nearly 20 very special years at the University of Chicago, I am thrilled to have you join the Hopkins community.”
