University opens federal relations office in Washington, D.C.

COLUMBUS -- R. Ellyn Perrone, vice president for The Ohio State University’s Office of Government Relations, has appointed Stacy Rastauskas as the director of the university’s new federal relations office located in Washington, D.C. Rastauskas’ current position is in U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert’s office, where she serves as the assistant manager in the Republican Cloakroom – the liaison between Congressional representatives on the House floor and their staffs.

“Establishing a federal relations office in Washington, D.C. enables Ohio State to work with and be responsive to our Congressional delegation on a 24/7 basis. With the opening of this office, Ohio State joins other Big Ten and benchmark institutions in recognizing that full time representation in Washington is critical to maximizing opportunities with Congress,” Perrone said. “Stacy brings demonstrated expertise and skills in the areas of appropriations and public policy that will assist Ohio State in advocating for the university’s interests.”

Rastauskas says the position will blend her interests of working with Congress and supporting Ohio’s higher education.

“I am honored to come to work for a university with such an outstanding reputation,” Rastauskas said. “The breadth of Ohio State’s programs and issues parallel those which are before the federal government, and I look forward to tying the two together.

“Working with the entire government relations team, I am excited to represent the interests of the Ohio State community on Capitol Hill and in Washington. Thanks to the team’s work, we will be able to hit the ground running.”

Before working for Hastert, she served for more than four years as a legislative assistant for Congressman David Hobson (R-OH), handling education-related appropriations issues, including requests from all Ohio colleges and universities. She also worked with the U.S. Department of Education, the National Science Foundation and other federal agencies.
Rastauskas earned her bachelor’s degree in political science from Wittenberg University and is completing a master’s degree in public management from George Mason University.

Her appointment is effective June 1.