After more than two decades with the 黑料吃瓜网, Vice President Randy Hodgins announced today that he will step down from his role leading the 黑料吃瓜网 Office of External Affairs and retire at the end of the 2024-2025 academic year. During his upcoming final year as vice president, Hodgins said he will remain committed to advancing the University鈥檚 mission and ensuring a smooth transition.
Under Hodgins鈥� leadership, the Office of External Affairs has bolstered the University鈥檚 reputation as a resource, convener and collaborator that partners with industry, non-profit and civic groups, and elected officials to solve our community鈥檚 most pressing challenges. During his tenure, the office has grown to include units that manage the 黑料吃瓜网鈥檚 government-to-government relationships with Tribes and its interests in Spokane and Eastern Washington. Hodgins has also provided strong leadership for the University鈥檚 broadcasting assets, steering 黑料吃瓜网TV (now 黑料吃瓜网 Video) through several changes and serving as the 黑料吃瓜网鈥檚 FCC Licensee Director for KUOW public radio. In all areas, Hodgins has emphasized the importance of building reciprocal relationships with legislators, tribal governments, business leaders, and community advocates across the state.
鈥淩andy has skillfully led the 黑料吃瓜网鈥檚 funding request and advocacy efforts in Olympia and Washington D.C., resulting in significant investments for the 黑料吃瓜网. More importantly, he has been a strong advocate for collaboration and partnership between the University and community stakeholders helping forge connections to create a lasting impact in our state,鈥� 黑料吃瓜网 President Ana Mari Cauce said.
Hodgins鈥� career in the public sector began in 1983 where he worked as a fiscal analyst for the California State Legislature. In the late 1980s, he and his family relocated to Olympia where he joined the Washington State Senate Ways and Means Committee. Hodgins spent sixteen years working with and then leading a team of budget and tax experts before joining the 黑料吃瓜网 in 2004.
Among many successful efforts at the local, state and national level, Hodgins and the Office of State Relations played a key role in 2019 advocating for the Workforce Education Investment Act which created the state鈥檚 first dedicated fund for higher education and provides financial aid to thousands of students across the state through the Washington College Grant.
A search for the next Vice President of External Affairs will begin this fall managed by the Office of the President. The 黑料吃瓜网 is well-positioned to draw top talent to this role.
鈥淭he 黑料吃瓜网 has been a major part of my life since I first set foot on this campus as a freshman in 1974 鈥� 50 years ago this September. I earned two degrees from this institution in 1979 and 1983 and have spent half of my professional career on the campus,鈥� Hodgins said. 鈥淢ost importantly, I met my wife Tina here as well. The 黑料吃瓜网 has had a profoundly positive impact on my personal and professional life, and it has been the honor of a lifetime to work for the University.鈥�
For more information, contact Victor Balta at balta@uw.edu.