Several years ago, the university opened the doors to a new Federal Affairs office in Washington, D.C. "This office was opened to advance the university's federal affairs initiatives and research agenda by working with members of congress and the directors of the various national institutes on funding and support initiatives," said President Irvin D. Reid. With the resignation of its former director, the President has taken an in-depth look at this office, and has decided to shift its reporting structure and increase professional staff.

President Reid has announced that Ms. Marda Robillard has accepted the position of assistant vice president for Federal Affairs. Ms. Robillard has been the senior vice president for Government Relations at Sun Healthcare Group, Inc. since 2000. Prior to that, she was the chief of staff for Congressman John D. Dingell for seven years, chief of staff for Congressman Howard Wolpe for six years and held numerous positions including deputy state director in Michigan and deputy press secretary in Washington, D.C. for Senator Carl Levin for nine years. Ms. Robillard is a graduate of Oakland University and is a former resident of Detroit.

"Ms. Robillard is very committed to the university's mission and to our region. She will be an excellent advocate for Wayne State, and we are extremely fortunate to have her on our Federal Affairs team," said President Reid. "She is highly experienced and respected on Capitol Hill."

"It is an honor to represent Wayne State University in Washington," commented Ms. Robillard. "We have such an exciting story to tell and I look forward to working with the Michigan congressional delegation, the executive branch and the higher education community for WSU."

A new position, director of Federal Affairs, will be added to the Federal Affairs office. Ms. Kimberly Johnson has been hired for this position, and will begin her new duties on July 1. Ms. Johnson has been the director for Government Relations at Van Scoyoc Associates, inc. since 2001, and prior to that was a member of their legislative counsel for over two years. She was also the legislative assistant for Congresswoman Kilpatrick for two years. Ms. Johnson 1S a graduate of the University of Michigan and Tulane Law School, and is a former resident of Detroit.

"Ms. Johnson will make an excellent addition to our Federal Affairs operations, and I am pleased we have found such a superb group to lead this office," said Vice President George Dambach.

With the appointment of these two positions now in place, the President has announced a shift in the reporting line of the Office of Federal Affairs. The office will now report to the Vice President for Research. "Given the University's ambitious research agenda, and the significant amount of funding that the university receives to support ongoing research from the federal government, it is important to have strong interactions and oversight between the Division of Research and the Office of Federal Affairs," said President Reid.

Dr. Dambach will be forming a Federal Affairs office advisory committee to work with him in advising on federal initiatives. This committee will assist in guiding the national prominence of research at WSU. "I look forward to working with our Federal Affairs office on developing a strategic plan which will determine our key focuses in D.C. Under Marda's leadership, I foresee increased activities in our federal activities, and look forward to building upon our successes of the past," said Dr. Dambach.

Wayne State University is one of the nation's pre-eminent public research universities in an urban setting. In the past 20 years, Wayne State's research has grown 11 percent annually, with research expenditures reaching nearly$170 million in 2001. Over 65 percent of research at WSU is focused on the life sciences, and this focus has led our School of Medicine to climb the National Science Foundation rankings to 23 in 2000.

Through its multidisciplinary approach to research and education, and its ongoing collaboration with government, industry and other institutions, the university seeks to enhance economic growth and improve the quality of life in the city of Detroit, state of Michigan and throughout the world.