Patrick N. Hogan Named USM’s Vice Chancellor for Government Relations

Patrick N. Hogan, the younger brother of Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, has been named the University System of Maryland’s Vice Chancellor for Government Relations.

“I’m excited for this opportunity to work with my new USM colleagues, my former legislative colleagues, and the state’s executive branch to help the university system thrive as it works to move our state forward,” said Hogan in the press release.

In his new position, Hogan will advise “Chancellor Caret and the USM Board of Regents on governmental relations policies and strategies, on both the state and federal levels,” according to a USM press release. Hogan will also chair USM’s State Relations Council, which consists of government relations officers from the system’s 12 institutions.

Having spent two terms in Maryland’s House of Delegates (2003-2007 and 2011-2015), Hogan has experience working in the legislative branch, representing District 3A as a Republican in Frederick County, Maryland.

Hogan served on the Environmental Matters Committee and was a member of the Special Subcommittee on Program Open Space/Agricultural Land Preservation, the Subcommittee on Agriculture, Agriculture Preservation and Open Space, and the Subcommittee on Housing and Real Property.

“The big value I bring to the position is the relationships” with the legislative branch, Hogan said in a phone interview with The Bottom Line. “There’s a lot of higher ed issues to learn. There’s a lot of budget issues to learn.”

Because Hogan has not officially started his new position, he couldn’t speak on his specific goals for the legislative session. However, he said, “Accessible and affordable higher education is the biggest goal.” USM’s budget, college completion rates, student success, and the system’s role as an economic engine are other priorities.

Hogan spent the last ten months working in Maryland’s Office of the Governor as deputy legislative officer. He previously served as the vice president for business development of Hogan Companies, a group of real estate companies founded by Governor Hogan.

“This is a great opportunity I saw,” he said. “I am a product of this system. I care about higher education. I care about the university system.”

Hogan earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland College Park, where he majored in government and politics.

The vice chancellor position was vacated on September 30 by Patrick J. Hogan, who is of no relation to either Governor Hogan or the new vice chancellor, according to the press release.

After Hogan begins his new position on November 30, he plans on visiting all 12 USM institutions.

“I’m planning to visit all 12 institutions and find out what the priorities are at each campus,” Hogan said.

Asked how students can help advocate for USM’s interests, Hogan said, “We’ve had a lot of students come down and advocate [for USM interests,]” but he said the most important thing to do is to “Work hard and be successful students. Be a great product of this system.”

Hogan said he’s excited by “the opportunity to join the system. It’s a dynamic system, with great students, and it does a lot for the state.”

“There are a lot of new opportunities to work with this legislature and this world class university system.”

The Maryland General Assembly’s next legislative session begins on Wednesday, January 13.

Dr. John Bowman, FSU’s vice president for government relations, did not reply to a request for comment.