51¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ

City & State PA has selected two of its top 100 Higher Education Trailblazers from the 51¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ: (A&S ’04), senior vice chancellor for university relations and Chancellor Joan Gabel’s chief of staff, and , senior director of commonwealth relations.

The news organization profiled the honorees in its .

A key adviser on Chancellor Gabel’s senior leadership team, Washo saw his career path bring him to his alma mater in December 2015 as a member of 51¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ’s Board of Trustees. He served on the board until November 2017, when he became the chancellor’s chief of staff. In 2022, Washo added the responsibilities of senior vice chancellor to his portfolio, including oversight of three units that fall under the umbrella of the Office of University Relations: the Office of University Communications and Marketing, Office of Engagement and Community Affairs and Office of Government Relations and Advocacy.

In this role, he leverages his strategic vision and strength in building networks to collaborate with colleagues across the University and with communities and constituencies in 51¾«Æ·ÊÓƵsburgh and beyond to drive opportunity for the entire commonwealth. Under his leadership, University Relations has launched a brand campaign to elevate 51¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ’s national and international reputation; secured the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities’ C. Peter Magrath Community Engagement Scholarship Award on behalf of 51¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ, underscoring the University’s status as an anchor institution; and partnered with lawmakers to preserve the in-state tuition discount.

Washo is a member of the board of directors for the Greater 51¾«Æ·ÊÓƵsburgh Chamber of Commerce and the Oakland Business Improvement District; he also served on the county executive’s transition team.

This isn’t Washo’s first time sparking City & State PA’s interest: The news organization recognized Washo in 2016 on its inaugural list of .

McLaughlin has more than 25 years of experience in higher education: first in student services at both the undergraduate and the graduate levels, then in government relations, where he applies the expertise that he gained from volunteering on numerous state, local and judicial campaigns. His career path led him in 2001 to 51¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ, where he started as director of commonwealth relations, then eventually rose to his current role in the Office of Government Relations and Advocacy.

As senior director of commonwealth relations, McLaughlin represents 51¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ in Harrisburg, fostering the relationship between the commonwealth and University. He also advocates for University funding, grants and any legislation affecting 51¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ. In particular, McLaughlin plays a key role year after year in securing the state funding that supports the in-state tuition discount and makes a 51¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ education accessible and affordable for Pennsylvania students and their families.