The Michigan in Washington Program is very pleased to welcome our new faculty director to the program. Professor Jenna Bednar took over on January 1st as the first recipient of the Edie N. Goldenberg Endowed Directorship. Professor Bednar is a Professor of Political Science and Research Professor in the Center for Political Studies in the Institute for Social Research at the University of Michigan. She earned her BA from the University of Michigan and her MA and PhD from Stanford University. Professor Bednar’s early research focused on federal systems of government, resulting in her first book: The Robust Federation (Cambridge University Press, 2009). Subsequent articles explore issues in law, complex systems, campaign finance, and culture and institutions. In 2006 Professor Bednar received the Tronstein Prize for undergraduate teaching in Political Science.
Professor Bednar lives in Ann Arbor along with her two teenage sons, husband (UM Professor and BA, University of Michigan), and Bernese Mountain Dog. She currently serves on the development board of the Matthai Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum.