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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 solutions for 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

Grads walking

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.

Officials walking at commencement

University Communications is the central resource for communications strategies that advance and protect the 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 academic mission of teaching and research 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) drives more purposeful engagement between Stanford and the external communities with which the university interacts.

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The External Relations Chief Administration Office coordinates and manages Human Resources, Talent Acquisition, Learning and Training activities, Finance, Facilities, and operational IT for the External Relations organization.

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"The creation of External Relations comes at a time when Stanford is poised to take 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 new organized effort is designed to help the university coordinate and amplify its outreach and engagement efforts." 

Martin Shell

Affiliated Offices