William G. Howell named inaugural dean of new Johns Hopkins School of Government and Policy

William G. Howell, a prominent scholar of American political institutions and executive power who has spent nearly two decades on the faculty at the University of Chicago, has been selected as the inaugural dean of Johns Hopkins University's new School of Government and Policy, the university announced today.

Image caption: William G. Howell

The School of Government and Policy, the university's first new academic division since 2007, will be anchored at 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 some of the greatest challenges facing our nation and the world.

Howell will assume his new role beginning Jan. 1.

"An enterprising and dynamic scholar and academic leader with a distinguished scholarly record, experience as a proven and visionary administrator, and a national reputation in the policy realm—bridging the worlds of public policy practice and academic scholarship and research—Professor Howell emerged from a global search as the right choice to bring this new and critical endeavor to life," JHU President Ron Daniels wrote in a message to the Hopkins community today.

"I am eager to see the school grow and take shape, building on the university's long-established presence and reputation in Washington, D.C. I know 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 presently serves as the Sydney Stein Professor in American Politics at the University of Chicago, where he holds appointments at the Harris School of Public Policy, Department of Political Science, and the College. He is the founding director of the Center for Effective Government and the 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 UChicago.

Howell has studied and written extensively on issues related to separation of powers, political institutions, democratic reform, and the U.S. 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 a focus on research and data.

Howell emerged as "the clear and compelling choice for this pivotal role," said JHU Provost Ray Jayawardhana, who led the search process. "His distinguished academic record, proven leadership at the University of Chicago, and stellar reputation in the policy realm exemplify the blend of scholarly excellence and practical 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 engagement."

Howell is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and American Academy of Sciences and Letters, a 2023 Guggenheim Fellow, and the author or co-author of numerous books examining the executive branch, most recently Presidents, Populism, and the Crisis of Democracy (University of Chicago, 2020). Before joining the University of Chicago faculty in 2006, he taught at Harvard University and the University of Wisconsin. He holds a PhD in political science from Stanford University and a BA from Wesleyan University.

"With the new School of Government and Policy, Johns Hopkins is meeting some of the most pressing challenges that stand before 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 a more effective government, and to create space for people who look upon the world very differently to come together and learn from one another. I'm immensely grateful for the support of President Daniels, Provost Jayawardhana, and the incredible team behind this school. After nearly 20 very special years at the University of Chicago, I am thrilled to be joining the Hopkins community."