Christina West, director of federal relations for Vanderbilt University, has been named assistant vice chancellor for federal relations.
West will continue to run the university’s Washington office and will direct all federal government relations activities for Vanderbilt.
“Christina West has proven herself as an effective proponent for higher education in the midst of a challenging climate in Washington,” said Beth Fortune, vice chancellor for public affairs. “Her expertise is crucial to Vanderbilt’s continuing success.”
West, a graduate of University School of Nashville and Haverford College, interned for U.S. Rep. Bob Clement, D-Tenn., eventually rising to be his senior legislative assistant. She works closely with campus leaders and Washington policy makers on issues including federal student aid, funding levels for federal research programs, health care, tax issues, tech transfer, international student and scholar policies and campus safety.
West is an active member of Women in Government Relations, and co-chaired their Congressional Relations task force for two years. She will chair the Association of American Universities’ Council of Federal Relations in 2010.
Media contact: Jim Patterson, (615) 322-NEWS
jim.patterson@vanderbilt.edu