Tyler Lee named to Government Relations community post

COLUMBUS – R. Ellyn Perrone, vice president for The Ohio State University’s Office of Government Relations, has appointed Dawn Tyler Lee as assistant vice president for government relations – community. In the position, Tyler Lee will work closely with local government entities, such as mayors and other city and county elected officials, to strengthen links between the university, neighborhood leaders and nonprofit organizations to foster community and university partnerships.

“Ohio State has an extensive history of involvement in the Greater Columbus community, and we want to highlight that mutual exchange,” Perrone said. “Dawn’s demonstrated expertise is vital to our team. It is so important for city government and community leaders to understand the value of having the state’s flagship university in the heart of Columbus.”

Most recently, Tyler Lee worked for the Columbus Board of Education where she served as a liaison between the seven-member board and the superintendent of Columbus Public Schools. Her responsibilities included overseeing the production of the board agenda and the legislation on which the board voted, representing the board at community events and working closely with the district’s Office of Legislative Services to monitor local, state and federal policy. Previously, she also served as a legislative aide for Columbus City Council member Charleta Tavares. In that role, she worked closely with city officials and Columbus’ health, housing and human service community. She also served as the housing policy director for the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio.

Tyler Lee said her experience working with a statewide non-profit, city government, and Columbus city schools has prepared her well for this position.

“This is a very unique and exciting opportunity for me to use my experiences in the public sector to benefit the university and the Greater Columbus community,” she said. “I will try to help people understand what the university is doing beyond High Street. Ohio State has a lot of exciting partnerships throughout the community, and I will work to expand those relationships.”

Tyler Lee earned a master’s degree in urban affairs and public policy from the University of Delaware and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Hampton University in Virginia.

She currently serves on the boards of the Center for New Directions and Columbus Housing Partnership.