Patrick N. Hogan will begin working with the state legislature, the governor and state agencies in his new role Nov. 30.
Patrick N. Hogan, Gov. Larry Hogan’s brother, will step in as the University System of Maryland’s new vice chancellor for government relations Nov. 30 after being appointed Nov. 10, according to a system news release.
“I do care a lot about colleges and universities in Maryland; I am a product of the system,” said Hogan, who graduated from the University of Maryland in 2002. “It was just a job that allowed me to continue working with the legislature, continue to work with the administration and working to showcase how important colleges and universities are in Maryland.”
Hogan has served two terms in the House of Delegates and was the deputy legislative officer for the Office of the Governor for the past 10 months. He is replacing Patrick J. Hogan, who is not related to the newly appointed officer or the governor and left the position Sept. 30 to join public affairs firm Cornerstone Government Affairs, according to the system.
System Chancellor Robert Caret appointed Hogan from a pool of about 70 applicants and said Hogan’s past experience in government relations made him a good fit for the position.
“What stood out in the case of Patrick was the fact that he had been an elected official himself,” Caret said. “Having served in that capacity by himself is a big plus.”
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In his new position, Hogan will serve as the system’s lobbyist and spokesman with the legislature, the governor and other Maryland agencies. He will work with the congressional delegation on federal issues such as financial aid and research funding, Caret said.
“When you’re in the kind of role he’s taking on, your role is to open up doors so that we can get our message, our explanation, our desires in front of the leadership of the executive and legislative branches,” Caret said.
Hogan said the relationships he’s established over the years — including during his two terms as a Republican in the House of Delegates from 2003 to 2007 and 2011 to 2015 — will allow him to do just that.
“I’ve been involved in politics just about my entire life,” Hogan said. “I think that’s a big part of my value. … I have relationships with all the committee chairs, and I’ve worked very well with both sides of the legislature, both sides of the aisle.”
Hogan noted one of his main areas of focus as vice chancellor of government relations will be the budget. In May, the system Board of Regents voted to increase tuition systemwide by up to 5 percent after a challenging fiscal year.
READ MORE: USM Board of Regents votes to raise tuition up to 5 percent
“I’ll work with my new USM colleagues and then make the case to showcase the system and show why it’s important for the administration and the legislature to continue investing in colleges and universities in Maryland,” Hogan said.
Michael Busch, speaker of the House of Delegates, said Hogan was an asset to the General Assembly during his two terms, adding he also served as a key member on the Environmental Matters Committee for eight years.
“Patrick was open-minded on all of the issues,” Busch said. “He was concerned about the environment and the education system in the state.”
Hogan’s new role is integral to ensuring the prosperity of the university system, Busch added.
“We’ve continued to invest numerous dollars,” Busch said. “We’re proud of the fact that the university system has started to get recognition. … I don’t think there’s anything that can be more influential, if you will, at all different levels than a vibrant university system.”
