Nixon, Vincent to head government,community relations efforts

As part of the University's reorganization of government and community relations activities, Michael J. Schoenfeld, vice chancellor for public affairs, last week appointed Washington veteran Geoffrey H. Vincent as director of federal relations, and former Metro Council member Betty Nixon as director of community, neighborhood and government relations.

"The areas of federal, state and local government relations, community affairs and neighborhood liaison are among the most important public affairs functions at Vanderbilt," said Schoenfeld. "This new structure will allow us to focus on the important tasks of building relationships with our many and diverse constituents in government and throughout the region and enhance the academic mission of the University."

Vincent will head the University's Washington, D.C.-based Office of Federal Relations, which will serve as Vanderbilt's "embassy" in the nation's capital. He will lead the University's federal government and congressional relations, work with faculty and staff on public policy initiatives, and develop a broader understanding of Vanderbilt in Washington.

"With the growing array of funding opportunities and the equally sprawling system of regulations, Vanderbilt's relationships with Congress, the government, the associations and grant-making agencies, interest groups and the news media are critical to the future development of the University," said Schoenfeld. "Jeff has real-world experience that will quickly add value in all these areas."

Vincent came to Vanderbilt in 1997 as a visiting professional scholar from NASA, and joined the staff of senior adviser in the Division of Media Relations where he worked on a number of projects. He previously served as the space agency's deputy associate administrator for public affairs and, for extensive periods of time, the acting head of public affairs. In 1997, he received NASA's highest honor, the Distinguished Service Medal.

In Nixon's new role, she will direct a University-wide strategy to link Vanderbilt's programs, services and strengths to the region's needs, build relationships between Vanderbilt and the community, especially the campus-area neighborhoods, and coordinate state and local government relations in education and health care.

"Vanderbilt's interests and opportunities are diverse and complex, ranging from TennCare funding, to traffic patterns in Hillsboro Village, to reading programs in Metro Schools. Our success is inextricably linked with that of our neighbors, and our interdependence is considerable," said Schoenfeld. "All areas of the University have an important stake in community relations."

Since 1990, Nixon has served as special assistant for government relations and chief state lobbyist for Vanderbilt, where she created and implemented a TennCare strategy that resulted in substantial new funding for the Medical Center and a greater recognition of Vanderbilt's role as a provider of essential medical services. She has also been involved in a number of community and education projects at Vanderbilt.

"Betty Nixon is a legend in Nashville, and the inspiration for a generation of public servants," said Schoenfeld. "There are few people more qualified, and none more enthusiastic, to help strengthen Vanderbilt's relationship with our community."

Before joining the University, Nixon represented the Vanderbilt/Belmont/Hillsboro/West End/Music Row area in the Metro Council. Her background includes several positions in the state government, as campaign manager for U.S. Senator Jim Sasser, and service on the staff of a U.S. Senate subcommittee. Nixon has received numerous community awards and honors, including the prestigious Athena Award, and currently serves on the board of the Nashville Electric Service. v

To contact the Office of Federal Relations, call (202) 824-6680.

To contact the Office of Community, Neighborhood and Government Relations (state/local), call 343-0700.

Nixon, Vincent to head government, community relations efforts