State Relations coordinates the activities of the university on matters relating to legislative consideration of the state budget and policy issues.
Staff members serve as the liaison to the Higher Education Coordinating Commission, other executive branch agencies, and the Oregon Legislature, monitoring legislative and policy initiatives. They also manage the university's advocacy program and staff legislative committees of the UO Foundation Board of Trustees and UO Alumni Association Board of Directors.
- Trent Lutz is the Associate Vice President for State Affairs.
- Jenna Adams-Kalloch is the Senior Director of Intergovernmental Policy and Operations.
- Courtney Westling is the Senior Director of Public Affairs for The Ballmer Institute for Children's Behavioral Health.
- Joe Erickson is the Director of Advocacy and Policy.
- Johnmartin Sherman-Lewis is the Director of GCR Communications.
The UO Makes an Impact
Recap of the 2026 Legislative Session
The Oregon State Legislature adjourned its 2026 short session on March 6, closing a five-week session defined by budget uncertainty and the risk of cuts to state agencies and programs.
Recent Publications
2026 State Advocacy Handout - Coalition of Oregon Public Universities (OPU)
Advocacy Briefs:
- Public University Support Fund (PUSF) - February 2025
- Oregon Opportunity Grant (OOG) - February 2025
- 2025 UO State Budget & Legislative Agenda - January 2025
- Oregon Public Universities: 2025 Unified Agenda - January 2025
- Child Behavioral Health Building - December 2024
- Strong Start - March 2025
- Oregon Hazards Lab (OHAZ) - December 2024
- Oregon Institute of Marine Biology (OIMB) - December 2024
- Sustainable City Year Program (SCYP) - December 2024
- Criminal Defense Clinical Legal Education State Program - February 2025
- University Innovation Research Fund (UIRF) - February 2025
Other Resources:
- UO Semiconductor Workforce Summary - April 2025
- Semiconductors, Advanced Materials, and Devices: Accelerating Workforce Development and Research - December 2023