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
