Justin Wellner joined CSUMB as director of governmental and external relations in January.

Wellner came to the university from Van Scoyoc Associates in Washington, D.C., where he was manager of government relations, directing the federal advocacy agenda for education clients, including the Coalition of Urban Serving Universities.

He worked on policy and legislative issues related to higher education such as STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), standards and assessment, teachers, access and persistence, and research and development.

Wellner is responsible for advancing the university’s priorities on the local, state and federal levels. His position will cover a range of duties including advocacy, policy analysis, land use and FORA issues, and liaison with local municipalities, as well as oversight of Strategic Communications.