Jen Psaki ’00
Former White House Press Secretary
Majors:
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Originally from Stamford, Connecticut, Jen Psaki knew William & Mary was the school for her after a single campus tour. In fact, she became a campus tour guide and intern in the admission office in hopes of giving others that same great first impression. From athletics to academics to extracurricular activities, Jen thrived during her years at William & Mary. While double-majoring in English and sociology, Jen was a member of the swim team and Chi Omega sorority, and says the university’s holistic approach to a liberal arts and sciences education prepared her for the challenges of the workplace. “I think it’s served me professionally in many ways, including the fact that it enabled me to develop strong writing skills and spend time really learning how to communicate effectively,” she says.
Jen served as the White House Press Secretary for U.S. President Joe Biden, leading the first all-female senior White House communications team in U.S. history, before departing the West Wing for MSNBC in 2022. Jen previously worked with several members of the U.S. Senate before joining Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign. When he took office, she was named as deputy press secretary and later deputy communications director. After working for a public relations firm, Jen returned to the White House in 2012 as press secretary for Obama’s 2012 campaign. The next year, she took the role of spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State. A dedicated alumna, Jen has shared her experiences with students at the William & Mary Washington Center many times since graduating, and served on the inaugural W&M Washington Center Advisory Board.
