About Us

The Office of Government Affairs works for all of Tulane’s campuses to advance the university’s mission by:

• actively seeking government funding for university programs and activities;
  
  
• developing and implementing strategies for the university’s coordinated response to challenges, threats and opportunities related to federal, state and local legislation and government activities;
  
  
• coordinating the development of university programs and cross-university partnerships that have the potential for significant government/agency funding;
  
  
• promoting Tulane’s image and relations with government officials and the community through targeted communications, special events and publications, such as the Economic Impact Brochure and Community Service catalog.

Staff

Sharon Courtney, Vice President for Government Affairs
Sharon is the university’s liaison with Louisiana’s Congressional Delegation and their staffs. She monitors legislative issues of importance to Tulane and seeks funding for university projects through legislative means by working with Tulane’s consultants in Washington, D.C. She also serves as a link between the university and various national higher education organizations such as the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU), the Association of American Universities (AAU), and the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC).

Rebecca Conwell, Interim Executive Director for State and Local Affairs
Rebecca is the university’s coordinator for state and city government relations and advocates on behalf of Tulane’s positions, policies, and programs to the governor, mayor, state legislators, City Council members, and other state and city officials as appropriate. She monitors state and city legislation affecting the university and seeks funding for university projects through legislative means In cooperation with Tulane’s consultants in Baton Rouge. Rebecca is the director of the Tulane Legislative Scholarship Program.

Randy Legeai, Director of Institutional Program Development
Randy provides the institutional research, data analysis, and management/budget assistance needed for long-term planning and development of multidisciplinary and/or cross-institutional proposals. He also monitors current and pending federal science policy to determine its impact on Tulane’s goals. Randy works closely with Tulane’s Office of Research to track federal and state research agency grant programs/initiatives, publicize them to faculty researchers, and assist them in applying for funding.

Karen Celestan, Manager of Community Relations and Policy Karen is the liaison between the university and the community, cultivating relationships with neighborhood and community organizations as well as city and parish officials. She will represent the university at City Council meetings. Regional Planning Commission meetings, neighborhood and community association meetings to provide updates to the university on issues of interest or concern. Karen researches and prepares reports, briefing papers and correspondence related to City, State and Government Affairs.
 

Marcia Taylor, Executive Assistant to the Vice President