Derek O’Leary, Ph.D., serves as the academic director at the Archer Center, where he collaborates with staff and faculty to ensure Archer Fellows have a transformative educational experience. He is committed to helping Fellows deepen their knowledge, sharpen their skills, and feel empowered to engage with the public policy issues that matter most to them.
Prior to joining the Archer Center, Dr. O'Leary served in both the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, where he was a Presidential Management Fellow. An experienced educator, he has taught history, government, and civics at the University of California, Berkeley, the University of South Carolina, and Bard High School Early College in Washington, D.C. His recent book, “Archival Communities: Constructing the Past in the Early United States,” draws on research conducted at the Library of Congress and the National Archives.
Dr. O'Leary holds a Ph.D. in history from the University of California, Berkeley, an M.A. in international relations from the Fletcher School at Tufts University, and a B.A. from Amherst College. He welcomes conversations with Archer Fellows and Archer Fellow alumni as they explore graduate or academic pathways. Outside of work, he practices jiu-jitsu and volunteers with several local organizations, including Minds Matter. He loves living in our nation’s capital and looks forward to helping Archer Fellows experience Washington and explore volunteer opportunities in the city.