Government Affairs

The Executive Director of the Office of External Relations serves as the University’s primary government relations officer and thereby fosters and stewards relationships with local, state, and federal elected officials and their offices.  The Office guides advocacy on behalf of the University’s interests, working with the institution’s administration, faculty, and students to this end.  The Office additionally facilitates access to University experts to public officials, such as to provide feedback on legislation and/or expert testimony.

Government Affairs Priorities

  • To serve as the primary policy strategist for all levels of government
  • To provide public policy guidance to the President and Cabinet toward advancing institutional and divisional goals
  • To monitor legislative and executive activity at all levels of government
  • To maintain meaningful relationships with elected officials and their staffs
  • To serve as the Student Government Association Legislative Affairs Senator Liaison


Federal

The Office of External Relations works with the Office of the President and academic and other administrative leaders to address issues of national import representative of the institution’s mission and strategic plan.

University Main Campus and Philadelphia Campus Federal Elected Officials

Find your State and Federal Legislators

State

The Office works with the President’s Office to help ensure strategic and proactive advocacy in support of the institution’s funding, programmatic, and service needs.  Advocacy is reflective of the institutional mission and strategic plan and is conducted in coordination with the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), of which it is a member.

Office of the Governor

University Main Campus and Philadelphia Campus State Elected Officials

Additional Chester County State Elected Officials

Local and Regional

The Office works to establish strong relationships with the Borough of West Chester in which it primarily resides as well as with West Goshen and East Bradford Townships, residing in these local municipalities in part.  The University also maintains a vibrant relationship with Chester County and its associated regional entities.

Local Government

Chester County Commissioners and County Administrator

  • Chester County Commissioners and Administrator
  • Marian Moskowitz, Chester County Commissioner, Chair
  • Josh Maxwell, Chester County Commissioner, Vice-Chair
  • Michelle Kichline, Chester County Commissioner
  • Robert Kagel, Chester County Chief Administrator
  • Erik Walschburger, Deputy Administrator

Request an Elected Official

To request engagement with an elected official, such as for a class visit or toward advocacy, please contact the Executive Director, Dr. Julie Dietrich, at jdietrich@wcupa.edu or 610-436-3424 for direct assistance and support.

Advocacy

The Office of External Relations works to inform and guide the advocacy of the University’s leadership, faculty, and students on institutional, divisional, and/or departmental priorities.

  • To develop and steward the institutional advocacy agenda, supporting the institutional strategic goals and grounded in the President’s institutional vision
  • To work with the faculty, students, and staff to help inform and guide their advocacy in their respective areas consistent with the institutional mission, strategic plan, and priorities
  • To provide guidance and support students’ self-advocacy on key issues
  • To support faculty members’ providing testimony to government entities

 

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