Office Of Government Relations

The office of Government Relations provides college-wide leadership and coordination for all federal, state and local legislative functions. Staff includes: Susan M. Lehr, Vice President for Government Relation and Elizabeth Baldwin, Director of Federal and Agency Relation. This Office serves as liaison for the College to elected officials, state and federal agencies and their staffs.

Susan M. Lehr, Vice President of Government Relations, has served the College since 1993. She is responsible for providing collegewide leadership for government relations and has administrative responsibility for all federal, state and local legislative functions. Ms. Lehr focuses on the College’s state legislative advocacy efforts and coordinates with Ms. Baldwin, who has responsibility for federal relations. Ms. Lehr provides legislative support for the Community College Council of Presidents at the direction of Dr. Steven Wallace, College President. She is also responsible for the College’s lobbying efforts for funding and policy, which includes coordination with the District Board of Trustees, the First Coast Chamber of Commerce and the Florida Association of Community Colleges.

Elizabeth Baldwin, Director of Federal and Agency Relations, joined FCCJ in 2006 and has over 15 years of experience as a federal relations professional in Washington, DC representing institutions of higher education and scientific and professional associations. She is responsible for coordinating the College’s government affairs with congressional offices and federal government agencies. She serves as a liaison between the College and federal agencies and departments in pursuit of grants, directed appropriations and for participation in federal programs. Ms. Baldwin assists in identifying federal funding and policy development opportunities, tracking federal legislation and policies affecting the College and its students, and developing advocacy documents for federal and private funding requests.

The office of Government Relations serves the staffs of the College in a wide range of activities to advance the College’s mission and goals. These include:

• Representing and advocating on behalf of the College for funding and policy initiatives to the state legislature and to Congress
• Informing College personnel about issues coming before the legislature affecting the College
• Developing and responding to funding and policy initiatives
• Coordinating activities to influence legislative actions important to Florida State College at Jacksonville
• Assisting College personnel with interactions and events involving elected officials
• Planning and coordinating educational experiences for students and College employees when they study or visit the state legislature or Congress
• Serving as an employee and student resource for formal and informal training on higher education funding and policy issues
• Assisting legislative offices with student issues