The University of Chicago’s Office of Federal Relations, located in the heart of Washington, D.C., supports the work of the University by identifying or creating opportunities to promote University interests to the White House, executive branch agencies, members of Congress, and other national opinion leaders and stakeholders.
Areas in which the Office of Federal Relations provides support include science and innovation-related funding and legislation, University of Chicago Medical Center issues, urban-related research and community engagement, national laboratories funding and policy, and international education (Title VI) policy.
How We Help the University
Elevating Ideas to a National Level
The OFR works with faculty to raise the profile of successful initiatives and research conducted by the University to a national level, so that effective programs can serve as a model for other institutions and cities.
Engaging with the Policymaking Process
The OFR helps members of the University of Chicago community learn about and engage with the policymaking process through a range of activities.
Influencing Policy Debates
The OFR represents the University of Chicago in national policy discussions that bear on key University activities, including research, funding, student aid, and health care. We also support faculty and students who choose to engage with policy.
Opportunities We Can Facilitate
- Participating in advocacy meetings with members of Congress and their staffs
- Testifying at congressional hearings and briefings for Congress and the Executive Branch
- Speaking at national forums
- Hosting policymakers and other opinion leaders on campus
- Attending forums led by OFR for faculty and students to learn about the policymaking process and how to engage
Office Facilities
The Office of Federal Relations is open to UChicago students, faculty, staff, and alumni who are visiting Washington, D.C. We have private visitor offices, as well as a conference room that may be used for meetings and events. The main conference room can seat up to 30 people in a boardroom setting or more depending on room set-up. The space is equipped with a video conferencing system and large wall mounted monitor to connect to a computer for presentations.
The office building has a rooftop deck with a scenic view that can be reserved for University of Chicago events and functions gratis. Maximum capacity is 200 people. The rooftop space is available for use from April to October, 5-10 p.m., with approval from the building management. The rooftop deck and private visitor facilities are for functions consistent with the University’s stated purposes and applicable law.
We can also help with securing venues, catering, and speakers in Washington, with sufficient lead-time.
While we do our best to accommodate all requests, certain periods are busier than others. Please reserve the offices and event space through Kellie Mullarkey well ahead of time when possible. Please contact her at kmullarkey@uchicago.edu or call 202-823-3180.
Visit Us
Office of Federal Relations
1730 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Suite 275
Washington, DC, 20006
202-823-3180
federalrelations@uchicago.edu
Directions from Public Transit
We are less than a five-minute walk from the Farragut West Metro Station, which serves the Blue and Orange lines, and Farragut North which serves the Red Line. From the station, walk south on 17th Street NW toward I Street NW. Turn right at Pennsylvania Ave NW. Our office is on the left.
Find metro schedules and information on the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority website.
Meet the Team
Trudy Vincent
Senior Associate Vice President for Federal Relations, Office of Federal Relations
Trudy leads the Washington, D.C.-based Office of Federal Relations and represents the University in policy discussions that bear on key University activities, including research funding, student aid, and health care. She also supports faculty and students who engage in policy matters.
Prior to joining the University of Chicago in February 2013, Trudy spent 26 years on Capitol Hill, working for three U.S. Senators, including as chief of staff for Sen. Jeff Bingaman of New Mexico. Trudy graduated from Duke University and received her Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Maryland.
Email: tvincent@uchicago.edu
Matthew Greenwald
Associate Vice President, Office of Federal Relations
With 25 years of public policy and government relations experience, Matt helps lead the University’s efforts to engage federal policymakers on policy and funding issues impacting university-based science research, higher education, academic medical center policy, and the University’s role in the management of Argonne National Laboratory, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, and the Marine Biological Laboratory. His previous positions include serving as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Senate Liaison at the Department of Energy during the Clinton Administration, and seven years on the staff of the U.S. Senate Budget Committee. Matt has a master’s degree in Public Policy from Georgetown University and a B.A. in economics from Clark University.
Email: mfgreenwald@uchicago.edu
Kate Von Holle
Assistant Vice President, Office of Federal Relations
Kate reports to the Office of Federal Relations in Washington, D.C., and supports the local, national, and international initiatives of the Office of the Vice President for Research and National Laboratories to promote the University’s research capabilities and accomplishments. She is also responsible for subject matter expertise, analysis, political strategy and advocacy within Congress and the Administration regarding scientific research and technology issues that may arise within NIH, NSF, and other agencies that would potentially affect the University of Chicago.
Email: kvonholle@uchicago.edu
Kellie Mullarkey
Office Administrator, Office of Federal Relations
Kellie is a graduate of the University of Mary Washington and has many years experience within administration and higher education. As the office administrator for the Office of Federal Relations, Kellie is responsible for handling all tasks that relate to the operation of the office, assisting staff, and overseeing and organizing special meetings and events held within the University’s Washington D.C. office.
Email: kmullarkey@uchicago.edu