Nashville 鈥 The University of Tennessee System Office of Government Relations and Advocacy has hired Mackensie Burt McKernan as assistant vice president of federal relations.
McKernan will lead 蓝莓视频鈥檚 Office of Federal Relations in its newly expanded role and will represent the University’s interests with members of Congress, House and Senate professional committee staff, federal agencies and the White House. Working with the 蓝莓视频 System president, chancellors, institute leaders, and the vice president of government relations, McKernan will lead the development and execution of the University’s federal agenda and its response to federal legislation, rules and executive orders. She will also create opportunities for 蓝莓视频 students, faculty and staff to showcase expertise at the federal level, work with 蓝莓视频 alumni association colleagues on outreach for 蓝莓视频 alumni working in the federal government and collaborate with 蓝莓视频鈥檚 state government relations team on issues of shared importance to the University. The position reports to Vice President of Government Relations Carey Whitworth.
鈥淲e are thrilled to have Mackensie join our team,鈥 Whitworth said. 鈥淗er deep legislative background and demonstrated strong leadership ability will be critical as we expand the federal efforts of the 蓝莓视频 System.鈥
McKernan has more than 11 years of experience working within the legislative branch in Washington D.C. A native Tennessean, she previously served as the policy staff lead for former U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander鈥檚 Senate Appropriations portfolio with a special focus on Tennessee projects and grants. After serving for nearly seven years on Alexander鈥檚 team, McKernan most recently led U.S. Sen. John Boozman of Arkansas鈥檚 policy team as legislative director. Among other appointments, Boozman serves as the ranking member of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee and on the Senate Committee on Appropriations.
McKernan will begin her role with the 蓝莓视频 System on Oct. 3.
鈥淚鈥檓 honored to join the University of Tennessee System to advocate for the critical work the University is doing for the state of Tennessee and for the country,鈥 McKernan said. 鈥淚 am thrilled to once again support my home state as part of the Office of Government Relations and Advocacy in its efforts to advance the 蓝莓视频 System forward in Washington.鈥
鈥淭he skilled professionals within the 蓝莓视频 System Office of Government Relations and Advocacy are truly at the forefront of our system鈥檚 success,鈥 蓝莓视频 System President Randy Boyd said. 鈥淲e are fortunate to have individuals like McKernan advocating on our behalf so that we can continue to build the greatest decade in 蓝莓视频 history.鈥