American University took an exciting step forward this past fall. Building on our history, our community of committed changemakers, and our values of service and impact, we launched the Sine Institute of Policy and Politics, thanks to the incredible generosity of Jeff Sine and Samira Sine. 

The Sine Institute brings together renowned AU researchers and practitioners and the most politically active students in the country to uncover new policy solutions and problem-solving methods informed by evidence from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors and journalism. Since its launch, the institute has hosted its first class of fellows and convened more than 20 events, covering topics like health care, state-level policy innovation, judicial confirmations, and the arts and political voice.  

I am proud to announce today that we have found the leader who will take the helm of the Sine Institute. Amy K. Dacey will start as executive director effective tomorrow. She will work to implement the Sine Institute’s vision by convening conversations on critical public issues, bringing together leaders from cities and states to explore how national issues are addressed at the local level, opening the doors of public policy innovation to our students, recruiting the next class of Sine Institute Fellows, and much more. In her new role, Amy will report to School of Public Affairs Dean Vicky Wilkins.

Amy joins us with a wealth of public service experience. She most recently was a fellow at the Harvard University Institute of Politics, where she earned wide praise from students, other fellows, and faculty for her balanced approach to educating students on issues of policy and politics. In 2016, she was chief executive officer of the Democratic National Committee. She also has served as executive director of EMILY’s List and on the political and policy team for then-senator John Kerry’s campaign for the presidency in 2004. Amy’s experience stretches across organizations like the Service Employees International Union, public relations firm MWWPR, and the nonpartisan National Foundation for Women Legislators. 

She brings experience in cross-sector leadership, having served on several nonpartisan boards, including the American Council of Young Political Leaders and All In Together, an organization that encourages, equips, educates, and empowers voting-age women to participate fully in our civic and political life.

Amy is someone who has committed her career to delivering a positive, lasting impact, and her dedication to service should sound familiar, because she already is an Eagle, having earned her master’s degree in political science from SPA. 

I look forward to Amy joining our team, and for the promising path ahead of our Sine Institute for Policy and Politics. Please join me in welcoming Amy back to American University.