UT System Chancellor James Milliken named Stacy Napier as the new vice chancellor for governmental relations, a role that serves as the intermediate between the UT System, the Board of Regents and the Texas Legislature.

“Stacey Napier is the right person to lead the UT System’s critical governmental relations activities at a time when higher education in Texas has never been more important,” Milliken said in a press release.

The Office of Governmental Relations oversees all UT academic and medical institutions, communicating their educational, research and healthcare needs to the Governor’s office as well as state and local government officials, according to the UT System website.

“My job will be to keep the Regents and System Administration (informed) of the higher education issues the Legislature will be addressing,” Napier said in an email.

Napier began her new role on Nov. 2, and she said she hit the ground running.

“I’ve already attended a telephonic Board of Regents meeting and am spending a lot of time getting up to speed on the challenges facing UT institutions,” Napier said. “I’m also reaching out to colleagues in the Capitol to discuss system priorities for the upcoming legislative session.”

Looking forward to the legislative session, Napier said her work will ensure students have access to the resources they need to succeed in their education.

“By addressing formula funding and other issues that affect public higher education, we will work with the Legislature (to) get more students access to a high-quality education and ensure they have the resources they need to earn a college degree,” Napier said. “We also hope to increase funding for research and mental health initiatives.”

Napier has previously worked in the Texas House, Texas Senate and the Attorney General’s Office, and she said all of her roles will help her succeed in her new job. 

“Although they all have different missions, they do have one thing in common — we are all stewards of the taxpayers money and we all work for the citizens of Texas,” Napier said. 

Milliken said Napier’s previous experience will help her work at for the UT System.

“The depth and breadth of her experience in the Capitol and in service to the state of Texas will serve the 14 UT institutions well,” Milliken said. “We’re delighted to have her on board.”