Michael G. O'Quinn

Vice President for Institutional and Federal Affairs

Welcome to the website for the Office of the Vice President for Institutional and Federal Affairs. This office serves two primary functions—developing institutional strategies to achieve university goals and coordinating federal government related activity.

Federal Affairs

The office is Texas A&M's liaison with members of congress and national association efforts seeking to support the goals of Texas A&M, higher education and national research. The office also interacts with federal agencies regarding certain university initiatives. In short, A&M Federal Affairs advocates the university's educational, research, and service mission by working with Congress, the executive branch, federal agencies and national organizations.

Responsibilities include:

• Serve as liaison with members of congress and congressional staff regarding inquiries, questions or issues with Texas A&M.
• Coordinate funding requests through members of congress and in consultation and conjunction with the A&M System.
• Monitor legislation and national higher education issues of interest to Texas A&M.
• Identify emerging federal issues and recommend strategies for the university.
• Serve as liaison on federal issues with national associations such as the Association of American Universities, the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges and The Big 12.
• Serve as a resource for faculty, administration and students by providing assistance and information on federal matters affecting the A&M community.
• Seek ways to advance A&M's research mission though federal support

Institutional Affairs

This office is internally focused seeking ways to better position Texas A&M regarding higher education issues; to engage in strategic thinking and provide analysis on vital A&M matters.

The office is charged:

• To formulate (though identifying, assessing and recommending) institutional policies and strategies across university functional areas aimed toward achieving A&M goals and objectives.
• Create options for institutional decision-making to attain university aspirations, short- and long-term.
• Engage university divisions to formulate recommended responses and answers of a strategic nature that assist state related activities led by the Vice President for Governmental Affairs and in conjunction with the Vice Chancellor for Governmental Relations. Also engage divisions in relation to federal issues.
• Serve as a resource for university and A&M System state and federal efforts by providing timely and cogent information regarding higher education issues.
• Provide solutions to external environment questions or concerns that also allow for the achievement of university goals and objectives.