People

Tonya Rice is the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Advocacy and Engagement within the Office of Government and Community Relations. She is responsible for data-driven advocacy and cutting-edge technologies to increase support for the university’s positive statewide impacts, legislative agenda and other strategic priorities.  Ms. Rice engages with students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends to empower […]

Lori Sommer is the Associate Director of Charter School Compliance & College Readiness Evaluation. She is responsible for ongoing oversight and evaluation of the charter schools sponsored by Washington University. Ms. Sommer has extensive experience with charter school administration. Prior to her position at WashU, she worked for the Associated General Contractors of Missouri as […]

JoAnna Schooler is the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Community & Local Government Relations at Washington University in St. Louis. She is responsible for the day-to-day management of relationships with elected and appointed officials and neighborhood organizations in Clayton and University City, Missouri. She develops and communicates university positions on local policy initiatives and issues. Additionally, […]

Redell Hendricks serves as the Community Relations Coordinator in the Office of Government and Community Relations. As the Community Relations Coordinator, Redell is responsible for the implementation of the university’s community relations initiatives in its surrounding neighborhoods, and working to ensure that the University maintains strong relationships with its neighbors. Prior to her position at […]

Julie Baker is the Assistant Vice Chancellor for State Relations at Washington University in St. Louis. As part of the Office of Government and Community Relation’s mission to serve as the nexus for university relationships with government officials, a centralized presence for WashU in Jefferson City was established through the creation of this new position. […]

Nick Saab is the Associate Vice Chancellor for Federal Relations at WashU. Based in Washington, D.C., Nick is responsible for developing and executing the university’s federal agenda, as well as promoting engagement between WashU and decision makers in D.C. In addition to managing day-to-day interactions with House and Senate offices and Executive Branch agencies, Nick […]

Jason Van Wey is the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Federal Relations at WashU. Based in St. Louis, Jason focuses on activities involving campus partners and national associations designed to influence the U.S. Congress and Executive Branch agencies to advance WashU’s national legislative and regulatory priorities. Jason has over 25 years of experience of technology and […]

Robert Blaine is Assistant Vice Chancellor for Medical Public Policy within the Office of Government and Community Relations. His work involves analysis and advocacy of legislative and regulatory issues affecting biomedical research, health care and health reform, Medicare and Medicaid policy and graduate medical education. In addition to his university duties, Mr. Blaine is an […]

Ellie is the Administrative Assistant for the Office of Government and Community Relations. She graduated from Saint Louis University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in Marketing and minor in Accounting. She has been with Washington University in St. Louis in a variety of capacities since 2015.

J.D. Burton is the Vice Chancellor of Government and Community Relations at WashU, where he leads all facets of the government relations team and is a member of the Chancellor’s cabinet. JD’s professional career and legal background have afforded him the opportunity to serve in several roles in law, government and higher education. Before his […]