From Harvard, To Washington, And Back To Harvard

In 2009, more than a dozen Harvard professors—including big names like Cass Sunstein and Elena Kagan—made their way from Cambridge to Washington to join President Barack Obama’s administration. Now, at the start of Obama’s second term, nearly all of them have returned to academia. Why the change? There’s Obama’s broadening network, of course, but there’s also the fact that Harvard professors lose their tenure if they exceed two years of leave. Sunstein had his high-profile homecoming last year. Here are a few more officials who have recently joined him.

Photo via Wikimedia Commons

Michèle Flournoy
Under secretary of defense for policy (2009–2012) to Harvard Kennedy School senior fellow (2013)

Photo via Wikimedia Commons

Robert B. Zoellick
World Bank president (2007–2012) to Harvard Kennedy School senior fellow (2012–present)

Photo courtesy of Alliance Magazine

Sonal Shah
Director of White House Office of Social Innovation and Civic Partnership (2009–2011) to Harvard’s Institute of Politics (fall 2012)

Photo by Diego M. Radzinschi

Susan Davies
Obama deputy counsel (2009–2011) to Harvard Law lecturer (2011–present)

Photo via Harvard

Stephen Shay
Treasury deputy assistant secretary for international tax affairs (2009–2011) to Harvard Law professor (2011–present)

Photo via Wikimedia Commons

Juliette Kayyem
Assistant secretary for intergovernmental affairs, Department of Homeland Security (2009–2011) to Harvard Kennedy School lecturer (2011–present)