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Stanford’s Office of External Relations strives to create broad and purposeful relationships with university stakeholders across our region, nation and world.
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External Relations embraces and celebrates the diversity of Stanford’s constituencies and aligns the work of Stanford's externally facing teams. The group’s five distinct functions collaborate with partners across the university to enhance existing programs and develop new strategies for communications, engagement, philanthropy, and service. Our goal is to support the university’s mission of teaching and research; to advance the intergenerational transfer and pursuit of knowledge to help address many of the challenges facing our world including affordability, accessibility, education, health, and sustainability; and to enhance goodwill in the communities in which we touch and engage. 

About Us

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The Office of Development works with alumni, parents, and friends to support the university’s mission of excellence in teaching, research, and patient care, and to help accelerate Stanford’s purposeful impact in the world.

University Communications is the central resource for communications strategies that advance and protect the work and reputation of Stanford University. We help Stanford influence and inspire a changing world by broadly sharing discoveries, expertise, and ideas in compelling ways to multiple audiences.

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The Office of Government Affairs supports the university’s mission of education, research, and clinical care by serving as the primary point of contact between the University and our partners in federal, state, and local governments. 

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The Office of Community Engagement (OCE) engages Stanford people and programs to strengthen and advance collaboration with external communities as we work to address mutual challenges.

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The External Relations Operational Leadership Committee coordinates and manages Business Technology Services, Community & Culture, Facilities and Services, Finance, Human Resources, and Learning & Development for the External Relations organization.

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"The creation of External Relations comes at a time when Stanford takes the next step in its evolution as a national and global leader in research and education. At this moment in its history, it is also important for Stanford and its various internal communities to be more closely engaged with its varied external constituencies at the local, regional, national and even global levels. This effort is designed to help the university coordinate and amplify its outreach and engagement efforts."

Martin Shell

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