About Us

The Office of Government Affairs supports the university’s academic mission of teaching and research by serving as the primary point of contact between the University and our partners in federal, state and local governments. The office’s primary roles are leading Stanford’s engagement with federal, state and local governments, monitoring the public policy and political environment and fostering relationships with policy organizations, businesses and neighboring communities in the shared pursuit of solutions to local, regional and national challenges.

As a purposeful university, Stanford seeks to accelerate the impact of our research and education in the world. OGA supports that mission by helping to create an environment where outstanding research and engaged learning can flourish. We do that by engaging with public officials and tracking pertinent legislation and regulatory proposals on a wide variety of issues ranging from land use policies to funding for the basic sciences.

Stanford’s government relations interactions have always focused on issues closely related to our core priorities—research, education, and providers of healthcare.

Additionally, OGA focuses on how Stanford strategically uses its lands and infrastructure systems to further its mission. The team works in close collaboration with Land, Buildings and Real Estate (LBRE) to achieve the regulatory and entitlement requirements for the use of Stanford lands that allow the university to plan for its future with long-term certainty and flexibility.

The office also supports efforts to strengthen campus-government partnerships that contribute to the vitality of the greater community. OGA staff has developed and maintains a comprehensive network of relationships across the university that allows us to mobilize the expertise of the Stanford community in support of initiatives that address regional, state and national challenges.