UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Mike Stefan, assistant vice president for state relations, has been named Penn State’s vice president for Government and Community Relations, effective Feb. 3.
Stefan succeeds Zack Moore, who will step down as vice president on Feb. 2, following seven years in the position. Moore will serve as a special adviser to Stefan through June 30.
Stefan joined the Office of Government and Community Relations in January 2017 as director of state relations and was elevated to assistant vice president in 2022. In these roles, Stefan has led Penn State’s advocacy efforts at the state level, assisted with the development and implementation of the University’s legislative strategies and priorities, and served as the main point of contact for legislators and the governor’s administration on issues related to the University.
“I am excited to have Mike represent Penn State across all levels of government and develop our legislative strategies for years to come,” said Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi. “Mike already is an asset to our leadership team, providing keen insights and extensive knowledge of the latest developments in Harrisburg. Mike is highly respected both here on campus and in the Capitol, with strong relationships on both sides of the aisle. His deep understanding of the University and its needs and priorities will allow him to step into this position and continue to work with the governor and General Assembly to advance Penn State’s mission.”
Among his legislative accomplishments, Stefan was heavily involved in the successful advocacy for significant pension reform that allowed Penn State to refinance its unfunded pension liability, resulting in projected cost savings of $530 million over the next 30 years; a re-write of Pennsylvania’s anti-hazing law, which has become a national model; the passage of Pennsylvania’s Name, Image, Likeness law; and increased capital improvement funding for the University. Stefan also has played a central role in helping to secure Penn State’s annual appropriations from the commonwealth — funding that supports the University’s discounted in-state tuition rate and benefits Penn State Agricultural Research and Extension and the Penn State Health enterprise and College of Medicine.
Stefan also was a member of Penn State’s COVID-19 response team, acting as the University’s liaison with the state Department of Health and the governor’s office; co-chaired Penn State’s Complete Count Committee for the 2020 census; and served on Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s transition team as part of the Education and Workforce Development Committee.
“I am both honored and humbled by this opportunity, and I am blessed to take over this role with such an outstanding team already assembled within our office,” Stefan said. “I want to thank President Bendapudi for the belief she has placed in me to represent Penn State as its chief advocate. I am eager to get to work with so many talented Penn Staters across the institution, continue our tradition of excellence, and take on the next big challenges facing Penn State in Washington, Harrisburg, and local communities across the state.”
As vice president, Stefan will be the University’s chief lobbyist, overseeing Penn State’s legislative activities, interactions and communications with elected leaders and government officials and agencies at the local, state and federal levels. Stefan will lead the Office of Government and Community Relations, which develops Penn State’s legislative strategies and policy positions at all levels of government. The office also monitors and analyzes all legislative proposals that have the potential to impact Penn State and its students, faculty and staff.
Stefan will report directly to Bendapudi and serve on the president’s cabinet of advisers, President’s Council.
Stefan has more than 15 years of experience in Harrisburg, including campaign work, lobbying and executive branch service.
Prior to joining Penn State’s Office of Government and Community Relations, Stefan served as the director of legislative affairs for the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry. Before that he served as director of government affairs for the state Office of Attorney General, and he served as a legislative representative and later legislative director for the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO. He began his career with the Pennsylvania House Democratic Campaign Committee in 2007.
For his work at Penn State, Stefan was named to City and State Magazine’s Pennsylvania Government Relations Power 100 and 40 under 40 lists, both in 2023, and its Pennsylvania Agriculture Power 100 list in 2022.
A licensed attorney, Stefan earned a juris doctor degree from Widener University Commonwealth Law School in 2012 and a bachelor’s degree in business management from Penn State’s Smeal College of Business in 2007. He is a native of Palmyra, Pennsylvania.