The Ambassador Barbara Barrett & Justice O’Connor Washington Center at Arizona State University is Arizona State University’s permanent home in the nation’s capital, enabling ASU’s broad institutional effort to support national priorities through education, leadership, convening and engagement.
ASU in Washington D.C.
Barrett & O’Connor Center
The Center allows ASU to educate students, foster and sustain innovative partnerships, engage with government and civic partners and facilitate high-level dialogue and knowledge exchange.
The Barrett & O’Connor Center enhances ASU’s educational mission by providing unique teaching, learning and research opportunities for students and faculty members.
Following a 15-year presence in Washington, ASU acquired and opened the Barrett & O’Connor Center as its flagship facility in 2018—making ASU one of a select few universities to establish a permanent presence in the District of Columbia.
Located just blocks away from the White House at 18th and I Streets, the Center supports the activity of multiple ASU initiatives, including:
- The McCain Institute
- The International Development Initiative
- The Leadership, Diplomacy and National Security Lab
- The Competitive Statecraft Initiative
- Consortium for Science, Policy & Outcomes
- Federal Research Engagement Office
- Office of Government and Community Engagement
The Barrett & O’Connor Center is also ASU’s hub for providing unique learning experiences for students and hosting Washington-based events. The Center’s history and unique design is featured in an extensive story published in ArchitectureDC Magazine.
Decision Theater
An asset for high-level convening and collaboration
The Decision Theater is a powerful tool for helping experts and policymakers prototype better decisions. The Decision Theater utilizes state-of-the-art technology to present data models on a panoramic, seven-screen, high-definition display. The display surrounds those gathered in the room and provides an invaluable tool to facilitate discussion and collaborative problem-solving.
Visitor information
Ambassador Barbara Barrett & Justice O’Connor Washington Center at Arizona State University
Address
1800 I Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20006
Getting There
Metro
The Barrett & O’Connor Center is Metro accessible via Farragut West station – 18th Street exit (Blue, Orange and Silver Lines). Upon exiting the station, the facility will be on the corner behind you at 18th Street and I Street.
Farragut North station (Red Line) is also in walking distance – approximately three blocks walk.
Parking
The Barrett & O'Connor Center does not have on-site parking, and street parking is very limited in the Farragut Square neighborhood. If you cannot find a metered spot, the following local parking garages are recommended (please check directly with parking operator for updated hours and rates):
- Colonial Parking – 1775 I Street, NW
Open Monday thru Thursday, 6:30AM to 8:00PM
Friday, 6:30AM to 10:00PM - Farragut Center Parking – 1725 I Street, NW
Open Monday thru Friday, 7:00AM to 10:00PM - PMI – 1722 I Street, NW
Open Monday thru Friday, 7:00AM to 7:00PM - Penn Parking – 1801 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW (access via 18th Street)
Open Monday thru Thursday, 7:00AM to 9:00PM
Friday and Saturday, 7:00AM to 11:00PM
Sunday, 10:00AM to 7:00PM
Nearby Hotels
ASU has negotiated reduced rates with two local hotels. Discounted rates are available, as hotel capacity and city activity allows, through the hyperlink below.
Hotel Lombardy (book your preferred ASU rate here)
2019 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20006
1-833-588-9465
Three blocks from the Barrett & O'Connor Center.
Yours Truly DC (book your preferred ASU rate here)
1143 New Hampshire Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20006
202-857-3910
15 min walk to the Barrett & O'Connor Center.
Faculty and staff directory
Maen Areikat
- Staff
- Advisor to the President on Global Engagement for the Middle East and North Africa
- Office of University Affairs
- maen.areikat@asu.edu
Ira Bennett
- Staff
- Director, Research Engagement
- Research Engagement Office, Knowledge Enterprise
- Co-director, Center for Engagement & Training in Science & Society
- ira.bennett@asu.edu
Amanda Borth
- Staff
- Associate Researcher, Consortium for Science, Policy, and Outcomes
- School for the Future of Innovation in Society
- amanda.borth@asu.edu
Brice Bowrey
- Staff
- Assistant Research Professional
- School for the Future of Innovation in Society
- bowrey@asu.edu
Dillon Butler
- Staff
- Executive Administrative Support Specialist
- Office of University Affairs
- dillon.butler@asu.edu
Nicole Carroll
- Faculty
- Executive Director, ASU Local Journalism Initiative
- Professor of Practice, Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication
- nmcarrol@asu.edu
In addition to faculty and staff based in Washington, D.C., many ASU faculty in Arizona are also actively engaged in Washington, D.C. through their research, scholarship and teaching.
These faculty and staff provide their expertise to federal and international agencies, lead federally-funded research for the national academies, contribute to the development of public policy, connect students to national leaders, lead nationwide education initiatives and much more. Read more about their work.
Contact us
For inquiries about the Barrett & O’Connor Center:
Roxanne Ladd, Senior Director of Operations
Barrett & O'Connor Center
roxanne.ladd@asu.edu
(202) 446-0381
Individual contact information for all faculty and staff affiliated with ASU in Washington, D.C. is available in the Faculty and Staff section.