As the Director of Government & External Relations at the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU), I oversee the advocacy and outreach efforts of the organization on behalf of its 180+ member institutions. I have three years of experience in this role, and I hold a Master of Public Policy degree with a focus on American Policy & Politics and National Security. I am passionate about advancing the interests and values of faith-based higher education in the public sphere, and I leverage my skills in communication, research, and collaboration to achieve this goal.Some of my key achievements include managing high-revenue projects and events that promote the mission and vision of the association, monitoring regulatory processes and analyzing proposed legislation that affect higher education, and establishing and fostering productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders at all levels. Through the Pepperdine Policy Review, I have published a paper on the sociological and policy implications of mass shootings in the U.S., with a focus on this disturbing trend's ties to domestic abuse. I am proficient in various tools and platforms, such as Microsoft Office Suite, Google Docs, TechSmith, iMovie, and Zendesk, that enable me to deliver strategic administrative support, develop and negotiate contracts, and improve social media presence. Additionally, I conduct training and development programs to enhance the performance and skills of my team members. I supervise the Government Relations Fellow and any additional internal Government Relations support with weekly 1:1’s and annual performance reviews. I am always eager to learn new things and take on new challenges in my field.