FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Esten Perez
September 14, 2007
(617) 496-4009

Cambridge, MA – Harvard University’s Institute of Politics (IOP) today announced that former New Hampshire Governor Jeanne Shaheen is resigning from her position as Director of the Institute and intends to become a candidate for the United States Senate. Shaheen’s resignation is effective at the end of the day today.

Since becoming IOP Director in July 2005, Shaheen has worked effectively with Harvard and Kennedy School faculty, staff and students to fulfill the IOP’s mission of inspiring students into a life of politics, public service and leadership. As IOP Director, Shaheen has enhanced programming in the John F. Kennedy Jr. Forum; strengthened the Institute’s Fellows program and campaign and elected officials conferences; created a new initiative fostering women’s leadership; expanded internship opportunities for students; developed and hosted a successful youth voter conference on the 2008 election; and broadened the reach of the Institute’s younger voter research, polling, and outreach activities.

STATEMENTS of former U.S. Senator John C. Culver (D-IA), John F. Kennedy School of Government Dean David T. Ellwood, and U.S. Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA) on Jeanne Shaheen’s tenure as IOP Director:

Former U.S. Senator (D-IA) and IOP Senior Advisory Committee Chairman John C. Culver: "Jeanne Shaheen has been an energetic and innovative director of the Institute of Politics for the past two years. She created the Women’s Initiative in Leadership Program for Harvard undergraduate students and has expanded the Internship program both in funding and total number of students involved."

John F. Kennedy School of Government Dean David T. Ellwood: "It is with mixed emotions that I received the news that Jeanne Shaheen will be leaving the Kennedy School to launch her campaign for U.S. Senate. Jeanne has been an effective engaged, nonpartisan leader of the Institute of Politics, and we are truly sorry to see her go. We admire her desire for public service and the call of politics – the very things that the IOP and the Kennedy School seek to inspire."

U.S. Senator (D-MA) and IOP Senior Advisory Committee Member Edward M. Kennedy: "It’s been a great privilege to work with Jeanne at the Institute of Politics for the past two years. I’m sure this was a very difficult decision for her, because she’s done such an excellent job at the Institute and has been an inspiration to so many outstanding young students to consider careers in politics and public service."

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Harvard University's Institute of Politics (IOP), located at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, was established in 1966 as a memorial to President Kennedy. The IOP's mission is to unite and engage students, particularly undergraduates, with academics, politicians, activists, and policymakers on a non-partisan basis and to stimulate and nurture their interest in public service and leadership. The Institute strives to promote greater understanding and cooperation between the academic world and the world of politics and public affairs.