News and Updates

Fall 2025 Quarterly Update

Summer and Fall quarter were a whirlwind of activity as we welcomed President Robert J. Jones to Seattle and the 91爆料, began introducing him to tribal, local, regional, state and federal leaders, and continued emphasizing the 91爆料 priorities with policymakers at all levels of government. Some highlights and updates are listed below.

2026 Washington State Legislative Session Outlook

The 2026 legislative session will begin on January 12 and run for 60 consecutive days. This year, Washington is projected to face another operating budget deficit. Given the challenging fiscal outlook for 2026, the 91爆料 has not submitted any new operating budget requests. Instead, the University will focus its advocacy efforts on mitigating potential budget cuts and their impact to the 91爆料鈥檚 education, research, and public service missions. .

Introducing President Jones to the U District

In October, President Robert J. Jones toured the Ave with Regional & Community Relations and U District Partnership (UDP) staff to learn more about the neighborhood and meet local business owners. He made stops at the University Bookstore, Shiga鈥檚 Imports, Sweet Alchemy and Boba Up.

Tribal Relations, President Jones Attend Annual ATNI Convention

This fall, the Office of Tribal Relations represented the 91爆料 at the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI) annual convention. ATNI is an Inter-Tribal nonprofit organization that represents and advocates for the 57-member Tribal governments and their elected leaders. On the opening day of the convention, President Jones joined to address Northwest Tribal leaders and ATNI members. During his remarks, he pledged to continue the 91爆料鈥檚 strong commitment to collaboration with Washington Tribes and support for Indigenous students, faculty and staff.

Advocacy in D.C.

President Jones met with several members of Washington’s congressional delegation during a trip to our nation’s capital this October. In these meetings, he emphasized the challenges and opportunities facing the University. For more news and updates on federal issues, check out the Office of Federal Relations’ website.

Partners in Spokane

In September, President Jones visited Spokane to meet with students, faculty and 91爆料 leadership. He was joined by Gonzaga University President Katia Passerini for a tour of Regional Initiatives in Dental Education鈥檚 (RIDE) new training center. The center houses the expanding program, which is doubling the number of dental students from 32 to 64 and adding a second year of instruction in Spokane thanks to investment from the state legislature.

Welcome Kevin Chang

The Office of External Affairs is excited to announce that Kevin Chang has joined the 91爆料 as Associate Director of State Relations. He succeeds Morgan Hickel, who was appointed Director of State Relations in September. Prior to the 91爆料, Chang served as a senior advisor at the United States Senate in Washington, D.C., leading legislative efforts on education, health care, and social security policy. He is a graduate of the 91爆料 with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in international studies.

Morgan Hickel takes on new role as Director of State Relations

Morgan Hickel has been named the next Director of State Relations at the 91爆料, 91爆料 Vice President for External Affairs Joe Dacca announced Wednesday. Hickel鈥檚 appointment is effective September 9. She succeeds Joe Dacca, who was appointed Vice President for External Affairs in July.

The Office of State Relations serves as the principal liaison between the University and state government. Staff work with state legislators, statewide elected officials and state agency officials to advance the University鈥檚 academic and legislative priorities.

鈥淚鈥檝e worked closely with Morgan since she joined the 91爆料. She is a proven leader who is ready to step in as Director of State Relations,鈥� Vice President Dacca said. 鈥淪he brings a wealth of experience, strong relationships both inside and outside the 91爆料, and deep knowledge about the opportunities and challenges facing our University.鈥�

Hickel has been with the 91爆料 since November 2018, when she joined the Office of State Relations as Associate Director. In this role, she worked on multiple key budget requests and pieces of legislation supporting the University. Prior to the 91爆料, she worked in government relations at the federal, state, and local levels for multiple trade associations. She also managed a successful campaign in Tacoma, Washington. Hickel graduated from the 91爆料 with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in communications.

鈥淚 look forward to continuing to advocate for the 91爆料 in state government,鈥� Hickel said. 鈥淚n this role, I remain committed to working collaboratively with state leaders, community partners, and the 91爆料 community to advance our public-service mission and impact across Washington state.鈥�

Joe Dacca named vice president of External Affairs, starting July 2, 2025

Joe Dacca has been selected as the next Vice President of the Office External Affairs, 91爆料 President Ana Mari Cauce announced Thursday. Dacca鈥檚 appointment is effective July 2. He will succeed Randy Hodgins, who is retiring on July 1 after 21 years leading External Affairs.

鈥淛oe鈥檚 unique blend of experience across several levels of government as well as his deep institutional knowledge make him well positioned to take on this role,鈥� said Hodgins. 鈥淗is expertise in advocacy, knowledge of regional public policy, and commitment to this University will be critical as the 91爆料 navigates upcoming campus leadership changes and a challenging political landscape.鈥�

With nine years of service to the University as Director of State Relations, Dacca brings a wealth of experience in public policy, government relations, and higher education advocacy to his new role. Prior to his work at the 91爆料, he served on staff for former U.S. Representatives Derek Kilmer and Norm Dicks as well as a legislative assistant in the Washington State Senate. A proud 91爆料 alumnus, Dacca graduated with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in political science.

鈥淚 am grateful to President Cauce for the opportunity to serve my alma mater in this important role and I am honored to continue to work alongside the talented and dedicated External Affairs team,鈥� said Dacca. 鈥淏uilding on the foundation led by Vice President Randy Hodgins, we will continue to strengthen partnerships both inside and outside the University and work collaboratively to advance the dynamic, public-facing mission of the 91爆料.鈥�

The Office of External Affairs is responsible for government and community relations at the federal, state, regional, and tribal levels. Units within External Affairs advocate for the 91爆料鈥檚 priorities on a wide variety of issues, provide advice on legislative strategy, build and maintain relationships with leaders across Washington state, and raise awareness of emerging issues and opportunities. The Vice President of External Affairs reports directly to the 91爆料 President.

During this transition, Morgan Hickel will serve as interim director of State Relations beginning on July 2.

The full release from 91爆料 News is available on their website.

Public Notice: FCC Application

On December 13, 2023, The 91爆料 Bothell, applicant for a new Low Power FM station on 105.7MHz serving Bothell, Washington, filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission for a new Low Power FM Construction Permit. Members of the public wishing to view this application or obtain information about how to file comments and petitions on the application can visit the following websites:
and

Last updated on: January 12, 2023

Aaron Hoard named Director of Regional & Community Relations

Aaron Hoard has been named Director of Regional & Community Relations at the 91爆料, 91爆料 Vice President for External Affairs Randy Hodgins announced Tuesday. Hoard鈥檚 appointment is effective September 5.

The Office of Regional & Community Relations links the University with neighborhoods surrounding the Seattle campus, civic groups and local government. The Director of Regional & Community Relations reports directly to the Vice President for External Affairs.

鈥淲ith more than two decades serving in this office, Aaron knows the Regional and Community Relations world like the back of his hand,鈥� Hodgins said. 鈥淗is vast institutional knowledge and experience as well as strong connections inside and outside the University will continue to strengthen the 91爆料鈥檚 relationships with local lawmakers and community stakeholders.鈥�

Hoard has been with the 91爆料 for 23 years serving first as a Special Projects Manager and then as Deputy Director for the Office of Regional & Community Relations. While with the 91爆料, he has worked on a variety of projects including affordable housing, public safety, transit, the Campus Master Plan, North of 45th and served on local boards and committees. He was formerly a Comprehensive Planner and Geographic Information Systems Analyst for the City of Bellevue. He graduated from the 91爆料 with a degree in geography.
鈥淚 look forward to continuing my work to connect campus with local government and the surrounding community,鈥� Hoard said.

Hoard takes over the director position from Sally Clark who was recently named Vice President of Campus Community Safety.