Interim President J. Larry Jameson and Provost John L. Jackson, Jr. announce the creation of Penn Washington, a physical and programmatic home for the University of Pennsylvania’s engagement in the nation’s capital. Penn Washington will enrich the connection between federal and global policy makers and Penn faculty, students, and staff; expand educational and academic programs connected to Washington; identify and promote opportunities for Penn scholarship to inform and engage policy; and reinforce the essential contributions that one of the world’s greatest universities can make to the structure and function of democracy and global affairs.

In announcing the initiative, Dr. Jameson reflected that the new program embodies the directions and imperatives of the University’s strategic framework, In Principle and Practice, “to address truth, trust, and democracy as one of the great challenges that command our attention, to deepen connections with neighbors and the world, and to foster leadership and service.”

Penn Washington is located at 101 Constitution Avenue, adjacent to the Capitol Building, at the seat of the federal government. The program will initially comprise three functions:

1. The Penn Franklin Initiative, a new set of programs to focus on domestic policy, through curriculum, scholarship, and convenings.
2. The Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy & Global Engagement, since 2018 a set of Penn engagements focused on global policy, in collaboration with Penn Global, Perry World House, and related Penn programs.
3. A platform for the University of Pennsylvania in Washington, supporting the longstanding undergraduate Penn in Washington program from the School of Arts and Sciences and other ongoing and new school and center initiatives, annual lectures, student courses, executive education, research opportunities, and events.

Penn Washington will collaborate with faculty from all 12 schools on activities and programs to generate new insight and knowledge.  Vice Provost for Global Initiatives Ezekiel J. Emanuel will serve as the initial faculty director, with Associate Vice Provost Amy Gadsden as deputy director. Provost Jackson reflected on these initial appointments: “Zeke has an inside knowledge of Washington that is exceptionally strong, and his record of entrepreneurship and institution-building at Penn make him an ideal candidate to launch this important new initiative. And Amy has time and time again proven her ability to develop and execute Penn’s strategic initiatives and work with school and center partners to project them brilliantly into new locations.”

Penn Washington will be the University’s home in the nation’s capital.