MarComm External Relations is actively engaged with state and federal representatives, advocating for LMU’s priorities and ensuring that our values and commitments are considered and acted upon in key policy discussions. As we expand our partnerships with peer institutions and higher education associations, we are significantly increasing our engagement with public officials at all levels. Our team serves as a resource—guiding university departments and leadership, positioning LMU to navigate rapidly shifting policy landscapes, and working to ensure that our students, faculty, and staff have a voice in decisions that affect them.
We are proactively addressing emerging policy and legislative challenges that impact the university’s mission, with a focus on:
- Protecting access to federal student aid and Pell Grant funding, ensuring that financial support remains available for students who need it most;
- Defending against restrictions on mission-aligned programs, particularly those related to diversity, equity, inclusion, support for historically marginalized communities, climate justice, and care of migrants;
- Safeguarding funding for research and scholarship initiatives, including federal grants and university-led academic research opportunities;
- Opposing policies that negatively impact international students and those from mixed-status families, including visa restrictions, work authorizations, and access to financial aid;
- Ensuring compliance with evolving federal anti-Semitism policies, while advocating for approaches that uphold academic freedom and institutional values;
- Preserving LMU’s institutional tax-exempt status and endowment protections, recognizing the financial and legal implications for the university’s long-term sustainability;
- Monitoring potential changes to the Department of Education, particularly as discussions emerge about its role, regulatory scope, and potential dismantling under the current political landscape;
- Defending institutional autonomy, ensuring that LMU retains the ability to operate in a manner consistent with its values, mission, and academic principles.
For questions or feedback about current government policies and their potential impact on your projects, please reach out to Marissa Koller, Director of External Relations, at marissa.koller@lmu.edu.