Cal State San Bernardino has hired Marisa Yeager to serve in the key position of associate vice president for government and community relations. Yeager’s first day with the university was Sept. 12.

Yeager joins CSUSB from the Riverside Community College District, where she was government relations director, an office she helped shape as its first incumbent. She has worked in the field since she received her bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Yeager also has a master’s degree in public policy and administration from Cal State Long Beach.

Her first post-college work experience was serving as a legislative aide/staff assistant to then-California Congressman Xavier Becerra in Washington, D.C. Becerra is currently U.S. Secretary for Health and Human Services. She followed up this role by joining the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority as a senior manager for federal affairs in its government relations office.

“This AVP primarily serves as the face of the university with our lawmakers in Sacramento and Washington, as well as here with our local governments. They also serve as a point of contact with many community groups,” said CSUSB President Tomás D. Morales. He underscored that Yeager will be an excellent addition to CSUSB’s outreach efforts in strengthening local, state and national partnerships.

Robert Nava, vice president for the Division of University Advancement, emphasized that CSUSB’s Office of Government and Community Relations’ (OGCR) mission is to advocate for the university’s interests, while also providing information and access to our students about internships and fellowships.

“This office needs to be agile and always on top of things. In the increasingly fast-moving world of government, that requires someone with experience, expertise and the knowledge of how to obtain answers to questions and help CSUSB locate solutions. Marisa brings that background to the role and I am glad to have her on the team,” Nava said.

Nava also noted that CSUSB’s budget and legislative priorities are determined by the CSU Board of Trustees. “That still means we have to go out and advocate for our needs,” he said.

“CSUSB has been a wonderful education, community and government partner to the Inland Empire,” Yeager said. “I look forward to building on the foundation of CSUSB and its Office of Government and Community Relations programs together with our federal, state, regional and local partners to help all Inland Empire students reach their education goals and career pathways. We will do this through open and transparent communications to support CSUSB’s current and future legislative priorities and funding campaigns.”

OGCR serves as the primary liaison for CSUSB’s interactions with policymakers and stakeholders at the local, state and federal levels. Internally, it advises faculty, staff and administrators on funding and policy opportunities. Externally, it keeps the community at large informed of university programs and is proactive in creating strategic partnerships throughout the region.

For more information, visit the CSUSB Office of Government and Community Relations website.