MICHAEL J. HARDY

Associate Vice President for Government Relations

Michael supports government relations and strategic initiatives in identifying and representing Texas A&M University interests to the federal and state government, higher education associations that engage with government officials and agencies, university support organizations, and higher education advocacy groups. Michael also works with The Texas A&M University System (TAMUS) Government Relations offices in Washington D.C. and Austin to maintain relationships with elected officials and their staffs, and strengthen ties and develop relationships between the campus community and research sponsors.  

MICHAEL'S TEXAS A&M STORY

Michael started at The Association of Former Students in 2013 where he oversaw the internal audit function of The Association, in addition to monitoring regulatory and legislative activity impacting The Association. In 2015, Michael assumed the role of Director of Strategic Engagement for The Association. In this capacity he successfully developed and launched the Texas A&M Advocacy Network, which uses the worldwide Aggie Network to help advocate for issues of importance to Texas A&M University. During his time as the Director of Strategic Engagement, Michael engaged with University and System leadership, in addition to former student elected officials and staff members in both Austin, and Washington, D.C. Further, he successfully planned two “Orange and Maroon Legislative Days” and the first, “Aggies on the Hill” legislative event.

In 2017, Michael was named the Director of Fundraising where he led all efforts in raising the Annual Fund in support of Texas A&M University. Further, he provided oversight and management of stewardship efforts for donors of major gifts to the Endowed Century Club, Aggie Ring scholarships, and other endowment-level gifts to The Association. 

Michael, a native of the Commonwealth of Virginia earned a BS in Political Science from Georgia Southern University in 2004 and his Master's of Public Service and Administration from the Bush School at Texas A&M in 2013. Prior to moving to Texas, Michael worked in the Virginia legislature for six years, including the final three as the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Lieutenant Governor, in which he was responsible for advancing the Lieutenant Governor’s legislative agenda through the Virginia General Assembly.