Penn Washington inaugural Executive Director Celeste Wallander spoke in an interview with The Daily Pennsylvanian about the program’s efforts in connecting the University with federal policy initiatives and public service opportunities.
Appointed in June, Wallander oversees academic and professional programs offered by Penn Washington — including the Penn Biden Center and a range of policy initiatives. She characterized Penn Washington as a “startup” that is now building toward a more robust presence in Washington.
The center is expanding its various projects as part of a larger aim to bridge the gap between academia and government, while also highlighting contributions from Penn researchers, Wallander explained.
“I think that, especially at a time when there is unfortunately a public narrative questioning the value of the universities in general, it is really important for policymakers, the media, the international community, and really the American people to understand that universities are able to help provide solutions that are really important to people’s daily lives,” Wallander told the DP.
Penn Washington was launched in June 2024 and has already hosted a wide range of programming for students, researchers, and faculty.
Wallander said the program’s next stage will involve increasing staff and institutionalizing Penn’s place in Washington with conferences, workshops, and briefings. She also emphasized a strong student-centered approach, as a key focus is connecting undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdoctoral students to opportunities through Penn’s alumni and professional networks.
When asked about the Penn Biden Center, Wallander noted that there was “clearly a different message coming out of America that the world is paying attention to.”
“We probably need to think of new ways that we can secure American interests but also cooperate with allies and partners and other countries in the international system,” she continued.
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Additionally, Wallander acknowledged the challenges that come with navigating the cultural divide that exists between academia and policymaking. She noted the “cynicism” from both the government and university sides of the conversation.
For Penn researchers, she noted, engaging effectively in Washington requires patience and persistence. Rather than expecting “one idea or one piece of evidence” to drive policy change, faculty must build relationships and position themselves as reliable and trusted voices among the many competing perspectives in the political landscape.
To facilitate the cultivation of these relationships, Wallander told the DP that Penn Washington will launch a series of briefings offered to policymakers, journalists, and the broader political community in Washington. They also plan to host sessions for congressional staffers on issues ranging from health care and housing affordability to economic stability and emerging technologies.
Beyond responding to immediate policy questions, Penn Washington will also seek to identify issues that warrant more attention in Washington. Wallander said this proactive approach could help policymakers anticipate problems that may arise in the future, while also elevating Penn scholars in conversations about global challenges.
“While American leadership in the 20th century [was] incredibly effective, we probably can’t go back to those [models],” Wallander explained.
Wallander brings to her new role more than two decades of experience in high-level federal government positions and three decades of experience in academic research and policy. Most recently, she served as assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs from 2022 to 2025, where she advised on defense and security policy in Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. She has also previously held senior roles on the United States National Security Council and in the Department of Defense, focusing on Russia, Ukraine, and Eurasia policy.
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Staff reporter Riana Mahtani covers national politics and can be reached at mahtani@thedp.com. At Penn, she studies political science. Follow her on X @Riana_Mahtani.
