Political science major provides strategic oversight to the ‘Nation’s Doctor’

Max Lesko ’06, an alumnus who earned his degree in political science at The College of Wooster was appointed by the Biden-Harris Administration as chief of staff in the Office of the Surgeon General for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Office of the Surgeon General is part of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health. In his role, Lesko works closely with the surgeon general to provide the American people with the best scientific information available on how to improve their health and reduce the risk of illness and injury.
Lesko also served on the Biden Transition Team working on the domestic COVID-19 response, and previously, he served as the national executive director of the Children’s Defense Fund. While national executive director of the Children’s Defense Fund, Lesko oversaw the organization’s day-to-day operations and reported to the Board of Directors. His efforts included policy advocacy and program development to help lift children out of poverty; protect them from abuse and neglect; and ensure their access to health care, quality education, and a moral and spiritual foundation. After graduating from Wooster, Lesko earned his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center.
Lesko believes that his education at Wooster provided a myriad of skills that prepared him well for his previous, current, and future roles. “The fact that Wooster is not an environment where students trudge from their dorm room to a lecture hall and back meant four years of deep engagement with the academic and social community.” Lesko shared in a previous story, “Wooster’s focus on writing through Independent Study, the small classes that force participation, and my experience in Moot Court set a foundation for strong communication skills,” he said.