Director of University Affairs

Roy Taylor, Director of University Affairs

Hometown: Spokane, WA

Major: Physics & Political Science, C/O 2016

How did you get involved with ASUW?
I joined Senate in the winter of my Sophomore year, inspired by a discussion with a peer over what the school could to better in handling cases of sexual assault. Senate will always have a place in my heart as a sort of gateway, and by my Junior year I was serving on the Provost Advisory Committee, UW Leaders, Senate Steering Committee, and volunteering with OGR.

What does your job entail?
University Affairs sort of evolved to be the Board’s lobby strategist, though that’s not an entirely accurate portrait by itself. The UA Director works with the President and Director of Government Relations on State and City politics, and, along with the President, acts as a voting member on almost all of the major “shared governance*” entities, like the Faculty Councils. If I had to compare UA to the federal government, it would be something like Secretary of State. And of course, being subject to state laws on public records, I try my best to avoid the same email debacles facing a certain real life Secretary of State. 😉

Favorite part of working for the ASUW?
My payroll form lists my department as “ASUW Executive.” That’s pretty neat.

Okay serious answer, ASUW is a behemoth of entities, policies, and doctrines that can be difficult to navigate. But at the end of the year, anyone who has worked for the Association can look back on the things we’ve accomplished together with pride. In particular, I love the platform the Association gives me to connect with students on the one hand, and directly address the issues facing our peers to Administrators, Legislators, etc. on the other.

Nothing is more rewarding than being able to see how your work has the potential to improve the lives of your peers.

What career do you hope to pursue long term?
Astronaut-President.

Actually though, I would love to go to graduate school for Plasma Physics and/or Nuclear Engineering.