Paula Cleggett

Paula Cleggett is the associate director for policy in the Office of Federal Relations of Vanderbilt University. She also holds the same title for her position at the Curb Center for Art, Enterprise, and Public Policy at Vanderbilt.

After serving for six years as NASA's deputy associate administrator for public affairs, she joined Vanderbilt through the Intergovernmental Personnel Act, a program intended to promote cross-fertilization of ideas and practices between federal and non-profit sectors. Her role as associate director for policy in the Washington, D.C., office includes coordinating the Arts Industries Policy Forum while linking the Center and Forum with news media, think tanks, national associations, philanthropic organizations, the Executive Branch and Congress.

As deputy head of public affairs for the high-profile space agency, Cleggett had extensive experience dealing with news media and managing NASA relations with numerous constituent groups, including the arts and entertainment industries. Her experience with the entertainment industry included negotiating agreements with IMAX Corporation in its production of large-format space movies, as well as working with Hollywood studios in the development of space-themed feature films such as Space Cowboys and Deep Impact. Under her management, NASA's extensive fine arts program was expanded beyond specially commissioned paintings to include poetry, musical compositions and Web-art.

Cleggett has held editorial and public affairs positions in the U.S. Energy Department and the U.S. Treasury Department. Prior to a government career, she held private sector positions in the advertising and marketing fields.

She has been prominently recognized for effective communications strategies and creative management, receiving the prestigious Presidential Rank Award for sustained excellence in government service.

She serves on the Arts in Healthcare Advocacy Advisory Council and she is a member of ArtTable, a national association of professional women in the visual arts.

Cleggett received a bachelor’s degree in art education from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, and a master's degree in journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Paula Cleggett

Associate Director for Policy
Federal Relations
Associate Director for Policy
Curb Center
(202) 216-4368

 

STAFF MEMBERS
Christina West
Director, Federal Relations

Janelle St. Croix
Legislative Analyst

Paula Cleggett
Associate Director for Policy

Mel Bass
Director of Federal Affairs