Susannah Washburn directs the College Park Scholars Public Leadership Program at the University of Maryland. Public Leadership students live together, explore the theory and practice of leadership, become social change agents through hands-on public service projects, and examine important social, political and economic issues.
Washburn is a clinical professor in the School of Public Policy teaching both graduate and undergraduate courses in leadership, philanthropy and social change, and is affiliated with the School's Do Good Institute. Washburn loves helping students develop their writing and analytic skills and discover and apply their leadership talents.
Prior to teaching, Washburn served in political appointments under both the George W. Bush and Obama Administrations at the Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency managing the AmeriCorps program. Washburn’s work focused on supporting youth development organizations, overseeing an agency making over $800 million in grants annually, and helping grantees improve their management. During the Obama Administration, Washburn helped launch the Social Innovation Fund and served as executive director of the White House Council for Community Solutions, a presidential council focused on youth employment.
In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Washburn speaks on national service, AmeriCorps, nonprofit management, social entrepreneurship, experiential learning, and leadership development at various conferences and student meetings.
Degrees:
• Georgetown University, MPP, 1998
• Wesleyan University, BA, 1993
- National service; nonprofit management; social entrepreneurship; experiential learning; leadership development
