Frank J. Principe Jr., a veteran government affairs professional in Maryland who has worked for the University of Maryland Global Campus since 2015 was promoted this month to senior vice president of Government Affairs and Strategic Partnerships. Principe, who has been serving as chief of staff to UMGC President Gregory W. Fowler, will continue to advise Fowler and will serve on the university’s executive committee. He will keep the chief of staff title until a replacement is named.
“Since joining UMGC in 2015, Frank has been key to the success of our strategic initiatives, including securing state approval for the university’s name change in 2019,” Fowler said in a statement. “He has a unique gift for building relationships with legislators and public sector executives and visualizing how those relationships can support our strategic goals.”
Principe will be responsible for leading UMGC’s state and federal government relations and strategic corporate and industry partnerships, as well as managing the institution’s relationships with key stakeholder organizations, including the University System of Maryland. He will oversee Institutional Advancement, Alumni Relations, and the university’s Arts Program, which includes Maryland’s largest public collection of art. Principe’s portfolio will also include managing the university’s relationship with the Maryland Cybersecurity Council.
Previously, Principe served as special assistant to the late Maryland Senate president Thomas V. “Mike” Miller Jr. (D); as chief of staff at the Maryland Department of Transportation; as government affairs director for then-Baltimore County executive James T. Smith Jr. (D). He also was executive director of government relations at Towson University.