Welcome to the Office of Government Relations

The Office of Government Relations (OGR) strives to promote dialogue and engagement on a wide range of policy and budget issues. OGR works with elected officials, the UT System Administration and Board of Regents, and government agency officials to address concerns that affect higher education.

Our goal is to advance UTEP’s mission by working with decision-makers in the community. Policies enacted in Austin and Washington can have profound effects on our student population, the University, and our local community. We work to facilitate the passage and enaction of sound policies to keep UTEP progressing as an engine of opportunity and economic output for El Paso and the Borderplex region.

To meet these goals, we engage in the following activities: work with elected officials on high-impact policies and conduct analysis on policy implications; coordinate meetings and campus visits with elected officials and ranking agency officials; develop strategies to demonstrate the impact of higher education on the region and the effects of policies on local communities; and communicate priorities and aid decision-makers in understanding UTEP’s role as an institution of higher education in the region, state, and country.

Please feel free to contact us at gr@utep.edu for any questions on policy, legislative updates, or inquiries on our work.