Zach Messersmith, the former director of government relations for the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB), will take on a similar post at Western Illinois University beginning Aug. 1.
WIU’s director of Government Relations is responsible for developing and implementing strategies to address legislation affecting higher education and WIU, the university said in a news release.
“I am humbled and honored to join Western Illinois University,” Mr. Messersmith in the release. “Western is a special institution providing academic excellence and extraordinary educational opportunities. As the director of government relations, I will use my knowledge and experience to connect elected officials with the WIU community. I look forward to contributing to Western’s vibrant and thriving culture.”
This position manages government relations issues and builds strategic alliances with officials at the local, state and national levels and with community and civic leaders and organizations.
Mr. Messersmith graduated from Illinois State University with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science. He has been leading government relations at IASB since 2007. Before that he served as assistant director of government relations for IASB and was a member of the communications team for the Illinois Senate from 2008-2012 and served as the communications director for Citizens for Bivins in 2008.
WIU’s Governmental Relations division “seeks support for the university, promotes current and future programs and facilitates internal and external information exchange. As a state-supported public university, this division’s primary focus is at the state level, working with the General Assembly, Governor, state agencies and the Illinois Board of Higher Education.”
