Jayhawks for Higher Education communicate the importance of the University and higher education to the Kansas Legislature. Alumni advocacy is a longstanding tradition of the KU Alumni Association as an independent nonprofit organization. Informed advocates help strengthen the University.

To coordinate JHE communications, Association staff members Jennifer Jackson Sanner, senior vice president for public affairs, and Heath Peterson, president, work closely with colleagues in KU’s Office of Public Affairs and Government Relations. At key points throughout the legislative session, the Association will send email updates to JHE members, asking them to take action by calling or corresponding with their local lawmakers on issues of importance to KU and higher education. In addition to alumni advocates throughout the state, the Association welcomes the participation of KU faculty and staff members, who use their personal time and personal email accounts to contact legislators.

Our advocacy efforts also benefit from the leadership of alumni networks throughout the state. Alumni volunteers in these networks help coordinate legislative advocacy in their areas. Please bookmark this page and KU’s government relations site for the latest information on KU’s state agenda for 2023.