Morgan Hickel takes on new role as Director of State Relations

Morgan Hickel has been named the next Director of State Relations at the University of Washington, UW Vice President for External Affairs Joe Dacca announced Wednesday. Hickel’s appointment is effective September 9. She succeeds Joe Dacca, who was appointed Vice President for External Affairs in July.

The Office of State Relations serves as the principal liaison between the University and state government. Staff work with state legislators, statewide elected officials and state agency officials to advance the University’s academic and legislative priorities.

“I’ve worked closely with Morgan since she joined the UW. She is a proven leader who is ready to step in as Director of State Relations,” Vice President Dacca said. “She brings a wealth of experience, strong relationships both inside and outside the UW, and deep knowledge about the opportunities and challenges facing our University.”

Hickel has been with the UW since November 2018, when she joined the Office of State Relations as Associate Director. In this role, she worked on multiple key budget requests and pieces of legislation supporting the University. Prior to the UW, she worked in government relations at the federal, state, and local levels for multiple trade associations. She also managed a successful campaign in Tacoma, Washington. Hickel graduated from the University of Washington with a bachelor’s degree in communications.

“I look forward to continuing to advocate for the UW in state government,” Hickel said. “In this role, I remain committed to working collaboratively with state leaders, community partners, and the UW community to advance our public-service mission and impact across Washington state.”

Joe Dacca named vice president of External Affairs, starting July 2, 2025

Joe Dacca has been selected as the next Vice President of the Office External Affairs, University of Washington President Ana Mari Cauce announced Thursday. Dacca’s appointment is effective July 2. He will succeed Randy Hodgins, who is retiring on July 1 after 21 years leading External Affairs.

“Joe’s unique blend of experience across several levels of government as well as his deep institutional knowledge make him well positioned to take on this role,” said Hodgins. “His expertise in advocacy, knowledge of regional public policy, and commitment to this University will be critical as the UW navigates upcoming campus leadership changes and a challenging political landscape.”

With nine years of service to the University as Director of State Relations, Dacca brings a wealth of experience in public policy, government relations, and higher education advocacy to his new role. Prior to his work at the UW, he served on staff for former U.S. Representatives Derek Kilmer and Norm Dicks as well as a legislative assistant in the Washington State Senate. A proud UW alumnus, Dacca graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science.

“I am grateful to President Cauce for the opportunity to serve my alma mater in this important role and I am honored to continue to work alongside the talented and dedicated External Affairs team,” said Dacca. “Building on the foundation led by Vice President Randy Hodgins, we will continue to strengthen partnerships both inside and outside the University and work collaboratively to advance the dynamic, public-facing mission of the UW.”

The Office of External Affairs is responsible for government and community relations at the federal, state, regional, and tribal levels. Units within External Affairs advocate for the UW’s priorities on a wide variety of issues, provide advice on legislative strategy, build and maintain relationships with leaders across Washington state, and raise awareness of emerging issues and opportunities. The Vice President of External Affairs reports directly to the UW President.

During this transition, Morgan Hickel will serve as interim director of State Relations beginning on July 2.

The full release from UW News is available on their website.

Public Notice: FCC Application

On December 13, 2023, The University of Washington Bothell, applicant for a new Low Power FM station on 105.7MHz serving Bothell, Washington, filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission for a new Low Power FM Construction Permit. Members of the public wishing to view this application or obtain information about how to file comments and petitions on the application can visit the following websites: https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/api/download/draftcopy/FL/25076ff38b25b703018b3a51f737050e
and https://www.fcc.gov/sites/default/files/lms-how-to-file-pleadings-and-appeals.pdf.

Last updated on: January 12, 2023

Aaron Hoard named Director of Regional & Community Relations

Aaron Hoard has been named Director of Regional & Community Relations at the University of Washington, UW Vice President for External Affairs Randy Hodgins announced Tuesday. Hoard’s appointment is effective September 5.

The Office of Regional & Community Relations links the University with neighborhoods surrounding the Seattle campus, civic groups and local government. The Director of Regional & Community Relations reports directly to the Vice President for External Affairs.

“With more than two decades serving in this office, Aaron knows the Regional and Community Relations world like the back of his hand,” Hodgins said. “His vast institutional knowledge and experience as well as strong connections inside and outside the University will continue to strengthen the UW’s relationships with local lawmakers and community stakeholders.”

Hoard has been with the UW for 23 years serving first as a Special Projects Manager and then as Deputy Director for the Office of Regional & Community Relations. While with the UW, he has worked on a variety of projects including affordable housing, public safety, transit, the Campus Master Plan, North of 45th and served on local boards and committees. He was formerly a Comprehensive Planner and Geographic Information Systems Analyst for the City of Bellevue. He graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in geography.
“I look forward to continuing my work to connect campus with local government and the surrounding community,” Hoard said.

Hoard takes over the director position from Sally Clark who was recently named Vice President of Campus Community Safety.

Honoring Indigenous People’s Day

The University of Washington acknowledges the Coast Salish peoples of this land, the land that touches the shared waters of all tribes and bands within the Suquamish, Tulalip and Muckleshoot nations. To learn more about the land you live on, we recommend consulting Native Land.

Indigenous People’s Day is a celebration and honoring of the past, present, and futures of Native People in lieu of Columbus Day. On this day, we recognize the histories, cultures and contributions of Native people in Washington state and beyond. To learn more about connections between Indigenous communities and the University of Washington, the Office of External Affairs recommends the following resources as a starting point.

Take the Indigenous Walking Tour – Authored by Owen Oliver, a recent UW graduate, the tour highlights the Indigenous presence on campus, including stops at the Burke Museum and wǝɫǝbʔaltxʷ Intellectual House. A virtual version of the tour is available courtesy of UW News.

Visit the Burke Museum – The Burke Museum cares for and shares natural and cultural collections so all people can learn, be inspired, generate knowledge, feel joy and heal. The Burke holds significant collections of Northwest and Alaskan Native art, archaeology and historical archives, which are actively used by Native artists, scholars, students, Tribal leaders and community members. Relationships maintained between indigenous communities and the Burke Museum preserve the ingenuity, creativity, science and complex knowledge of natural and cultural resources.

Check out UW In Your Community – The UW is proud to partner with many tribal nations, tribal citizens and descendants connected to Washington territories. UW In Your Community’s Tribal Nations page highlights some of the many ways the UW collaborates with tribal citizens and supports Native students. For a more comprehensive list of resources, we recommend the UW Tribal Relations Resource Directory.