Reggie Robinson named interim vice chancellor for public affairs

Colleagues,

I am pleased to announce that Reggie Robinson, director of our School of Public Affairs & Administration, will serve as interim vice chancellor for public affairs. Reggie will assume the role effective August 14.

Reggie’s background in higher education policy and public affairs makes him a tremendous asset and an ideal fit for this position. His experience enables him to immediately help us elevate KU’s national stature, attract the best students and researchers, enhance our status in the Association of American Universities, and improve in every aspect of our mission.

Reggie has led the School of Public Affairs & Administration since 2014. Prior to that, he was a law professor and director of the Center for Law and Government at Washburn University. A fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration, Reggie has a distinguished record as a manager and leader. Between 2002-10, he served as president and CEO of the Kansas Board of Regents. From 1993-98, he served at senior levels in the U.S. Department of Justice, initially as a White House fellow assigned as a special assistant to Attorney General Janet Reno. He subsequently served in a number of senior executive DOJ posts. Before his Regents appointment, he served as chief of staff to KU Chancellor Robert Hemenway and visiting associate professor in the KU School of Law.

Reggie earned his undergraduate and law degrees from KU and was an intern for Senator Bob Dole in 1978. Between college and law school, he served four years as a field artillery officer in the United States Army.

The vice chancellor for public affairs oversees communications, outreach and government relations for KU. In this role, Reggie will be responsible for carrying out a strategic communications agenda that elevates KU’s reputation at the international, national, state and local levels. He will also have responsibility for internal and external communications and the integration of messages across all KU campuses, affiliates and partners.

The Office of Public Affairs comprises the offices of Strategic Communications, Government Relations, Marketing Communications, KU News, Event Management & Protocol, and Kansas Public Radio and Audio-Reader. During the past six years, Public Affairs has increased national media mentions of KU research by 300 percent, partnered with Enrollment Management to transform KU’s recruitment focus from a regional model to a national/international model, launched KU’s new brand campaign, and managed outreach for the Central District development project.

Please join me in welcoming Reggie to his new role. I know he can count on your support as we work together to move the university forward.

Sincerely,

Doug

Douglas A. Girod
Chancellor