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
- Serve as a policy strategist for all levels of government
- Provide updates on public policy matters to the President and Cabinet toward advancing institutional and divisional goals
- Monitor legislative and executive activity at all levels of government
- Identify and foster sound government and community partnerships and relationships on behalf of the University
- Cultivate and sustain relationships with local, state, and federal elected officials and their offices
- Serve as the Student Government Association Legislative Affairs Senator Liaison
Advocacy
An advocacy agenda reflective of the institutional mission, strategic plan, and identified priorities informs the advocacy and engagement of administrators, faculty/staff members, and/or students and aligns with PASSHE advocacy initiatives. Advocacy includes working closely with University leadership to provide guidance and support for University members’ provision of testimony to government entities, students’ self-advocacy on key issues, and engagement regarding relevant legislation. The Advocacy Resource Center is designed to support University members’ advocacy at the local, regional, state, and national levels.
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 West Chester and Philadelphia location Federal Elected Officials
- U.S. Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan, West Chester location
- U.S. Congressman Dwight Evans, Philadelphia location
- U.S. Senator Bob Casey, Main and Philadelphia locations
- U.S. Senator John Fetterman, Main and Philadelphia locations
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 West Chester and Philadelphia locations State Elected Officials
- State Senator Carolyn Comitta, West Chester
- State Representative Chris Pielli, West Chester
- State Senator Nikil Saval, Philadelphia location
- State Representative Mary Isaacson, Philadelphia location
Additional Chester County State Elected Officials
- State Representative Christina Sappey
- State Representative Craig Williams
- State Representative Dan Williams
- State Representative Danielle Friel Otten
- State Representative John Lawrence
- State Representative Kristine Howard
- State Representative Melissa Shusterman
- State Representative Paul Friel
- State Senator John Kane
- State Senator Katie Muth
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
- Borough of West Chester
Mayor, Lillian DeBaptiste
Borough Manager, Sean Metrick
- West Goshen Township
Township Manager, Chris Bashore
Assistant Township Manager/Zoning Officer, Jaime Jilozian - East Bradford Township
Township Manager, Mandie Cantlin
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