December 17, 2025
Dear colleagues,
I am pleased to share that Delegate Jazz M. Lewis has been named our new director of state government relations. He will begin his new role on January 5, 2026. In this position, Jazz will lead the university’s engagement with state, county and local government partners in support of UMD’s mission and priorities.
Jazz brings with him more than a decade of experience in state, federal and national public policy, including senior leadership roles in the Maryland General Assembly, on Capitol Hill, and in one of the country’s most influential labor–environment coalitions. He is a public policy leader, strategist and proud Prince George’s County native who has spent his career advancing economic opportunity, strengthening Maryland’s communities and championing policies that support working families.
As director, Jazz will serve as the university’s primary liaison to state and local officials, working closely with senior leadership, faculty and campus partners to advance UMD’s priorities. He will help shape and carry out the university’s governmental engagement strategy, strengthen relationships in Annapolis and across Maryland, and advocate for policies and investments that support UMD’s teaching, research and service mission.
Jazz is a two-time graduate of the University of Maryland, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Government and Politics and a Master of Public Policy. As an undergraduate, he was a student in the College Park Scholars Public Leadership Program, an experience he credits with launching his career in public service.
Most recently, Lewis served as legislative director for the BlueGreen Alliance, where he led the organization’s national legislative strategy on clean manufacturing, workforce development and industrial policy, including work supporting implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Earlier in his career, Lewis worked for Rep. Steny H. Hoyer as a senior policy advisor in the U.S. House of Representatives. He was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates in 2017 and, in 2023, was appointed House Majority Whip—becoming the youngest member to serve in that position.
I want to extend my deep gratitude to Ross Stern, who will retire after more than 25 years of dedicated service leading the university’s government relations efforts, leaving an incredible foundation to build upon. I also thank the search committee, led by Philip Merrill College of Journalism Dean Rafael Lorente, for identifying an excellent pool of candidates.
Please join me in welcoming Jazz back to College Park.
Sincerely,
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