UF opens D.C. office, names Mathias as director

UF has opened a Washington, D.C., office to facilitate federal outreach and appointed Sarah Mathias as its director in January.

Mathias’ responsibilities will include monitoring federal legislation and communicating the university’s positions to Congress and the administration, as well as supporting the government relations activities of the Association of American Universities (AAU), Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) and other organizations and positioning UF as a thought leader in higher-education policy.

Mathias will also work to advance relationships with the Florida Congressional delegation and other key Congressional leaders, connect UF faculty with federal agencies, identify opportunities to participate in Congressional hearings and executive branch advisory groups, and inform UF faculty and administration of federal matters of interest.

Mathias’ experience includes working for the University of California system’s Washington office for 11 years, where she served as director, associate director and budget analyst. She has also served with the U.S. State Department and the Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration. In the past year, Mathias has worked as a consultant to the APLU.