Press Release - Bryce Named Associate Vice Chancellor for Governmental Relations

November 11, 2002

Bryce Named Associate Vice Chancellor for Governmental Relations

Joseph C. Bryce, chief legislative officer for Gov. Parris Glendening, has been named associate vice chancellor for governmental relations for the University System of Maryland (USM). Bryce will represent the USM to the Maryland General Assembly, the Office of the Governor, the Maryland Congressional delegation, agencies of federal and state governments, key local officials and major higher education associations. Bryce's appointment will begin on December 1, 2002.

USM Chancellor William E. "Brit" Kirwan said Bryce is an ideal choice to lead the System's efforts to ensure continued strong support for public higher education from the state and federal governments, whether that support comes in the form of funding, legislative initiatives, or the positive resolution of issues effecting higher education such as student performance standards and teacher certification for elementary and secondary schools.

"In this position, we need a person with a thorough knowledge of how government works, as well as a keen understanding of the range of issues pertaining to public higher education," Kirwan said. "Throughout his career, Joe Bryce has demonstrated that successful government relations is more than just defending a budget or getting a bill introduced in committee. It's about the exercise of a public trust, building relationships, and communicating the mission and values of the institution you represent."

Bryce will advise the chancellor, the USM institution presidents, the System vice chancellors and the USM Board of Regents on matters related to governmental relations and public affairs policies. To that end, he will develop and implement strategies in support for the state budget for the USM, as well as identify and formulate positions on pending legislation relevant to the USM and communicate those positions to state and federal policy makers. He also will chair the USM's State Relations Council, which includes state- and federal-relations representatives of the USM institutions. He will report directly to Chancellor Kirwan.

"I'm excited about this opportunity," Bryce said. "The University System of Maryland is nationally recognized for its leadership in providing quality education, and I hope to make a positive contribution to its continuing success."

Bryce served in the Glendening administration beginning in June 1997. Among his various duties as chief legislative officer, he represented the governor before the Maryland General Assembly, coordinated the legislative activity of more than 60 state entities, and maintained a working relationship with state and local elected officials. His numerous legislative achievements include the state's reform of public higher education, which resulted in the USM's recasting as a public corporation with its own rules for procurement, personnel, and governance, promulgated at the individual institutional level and vetted by the Board of Regents. He also played a key role in the governor's investment in higher education facilities, including new laboratory and classroom space designed to accommodate the burgeoning student population.

Prior to serving the administration, Bryce was legislative assistant to Maryland Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. from 1994 to 1997. As chief aide, he was responsible for assigning all introduced legislation to Senate committees, the staffing of the Senate Rules Committee, and assisting Sen. Miller in managing workload and policy decisions of the Senate. He participated in a number of legislative efforts, including welfare reform, the construction of Ravens and Redskins stadiums, and the enacting of Smart Growth.

Before joining Sen. Miller's office, Bryce was an associate for a year at Covington & Burling in Washington, D.C., where he specialized in research and writing on insurance issues, attorney-client privilege, tort issues, and other topics related to litigation.

Bryce is a 1993 summa cum laude graduate of the Georgetown University Law Center, where he received a J.D. He received a bachelor's degree in government and politics from the University of Maryland, College Park in 1989. Among his academic achievements is membership in the Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society, the Order of Omega Scholarship Award, and the Dean's Scholar Award from College Park.

Bryce resides in Odenton, MD. He is the father of two young children.

Contact:

Chris Hart
Phone: 301/445-2739
E-mail: chart@usmd.edu