Nayyera Haq, a former senior director of cabinet affairs at the White House and state department spokesperson, has been named assistant dean for Maxwell-in-Washington. She will oversee the Maxwell School’s D.C.-based academic programs that serve approximately 200 undergraduate and graduate students each year.

“Nayyera brings a depth of understanding on policy, politics and media to this leadership position,” said Dean David M. Van Slyke. “She also knows our Washington programs, having shared her expertise with our students as an adjunct professor since January 2022. We are delighted to welcome her to this role and confident she will help Maxwell enhance the experiences of students who participate in our wide array of programs in the nation’s capital.”

The Maxwell-in-Washington program provides academic and experiential learning for undergraduate and graduate students during multiple semesters. The program operates out of the new Syracuse University Center in DuPont Circle, which also houses the Institute for Democracy, Journalism and Citizenship and the Washington-based programs of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. Maxwell students take classes in D.C. as part of study away programs and participate in internships in a wide range of policy fields in the public, private and nonprofit sectors. While in Washington, students benefit from strong connections with scholars, policymakers and other D.C. insiders, as well as a large alumni network, while putting into practice Maxwell’s commitment to ethics, citizenship and lifelong public service.

Prior to joining Maxwell, Haq worked as a consultant advising global CEO’s and nonprofit leaders on how to navigate transitions and social change. She has also worked as a news anchor, radio host and contributing columnist for national news organizations. Haq spent nearly two decades in public service, including the U.S. Department of State as a senior advisor for public affairs and spokesperson, and in similar roles at the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Department of Treasury in addition to her role as senior director of cabinet affairs role at the White House. She has also held leadership positions in the U.S. House of Representatives, advising Congressional leaders and committees on policy development and public engagement.

“I’m a big believer that everyone should understand how our democracy does or doesn’t work for them,” said Haq. “In this moment in particular, we need more people to experience what the Maxwell School offers—a grounding in service, ethics, community and evidence-based learning. I look forward to helping more Syracuse University students gain a greater understanding of the importance of public service and public policy so they can achieve their career goals in any sector.”

In this leadership role Haq succeeds Andrew London, a professor of sociology, who returns to the Maxwell faculty after guiding the Washington programs since 2023 and serving as an associate dean in various roles since 2017. London will also assume a new role as chair of Syracuse University’s Institutional Review Board upon his return.

Haq earned a master’s degree in the study of law from Georgetown University Law Center and studied history at the University of Michigan as an undergraduate. 

By Cort Ruddy