Susannah Washburn

Susannah Washburn is a Clinical Professor in the School of Public Policy at the University of Maryland and serves as Director of the College Park Scholars Public Leadership Program. She holds the Levenson Family Professorship and is a Senior Advisor to the Do Good Institute. Her roles include teaching leadership, philanthropy, and social change, while overseeing a program that integrates academic study with hands-on public service.

Education:

• Georgetown University, Master of Public Policy (MPP), 1998
• Wesleyan University, Bachelor of Arts (BA), 1993

Research interests focus on national service, nonprofit management, social entrepreneurship, and experiential learning. Her work emphasizes practical applications of leadership development through community engagement and policy initiatives.

Awards: Recipient of the 2024 Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching.

Advising/Grants: Formerly managed $800M+ in federal grants at the Corporation for National and Community Service, including the Social Innovation Fund. Currently oversees student-led grantmaking through the Public Leadership Program’s $5,000 awards to social impact groups.

Labs/Teams: Affiliated with the Do Good Institute and leads the Public Leadership Program, which combines residential learning with community service projects.