USC appoints Capitol Hill veteran Laurie Saroff to lead federal relations office

Laurie Saroff has been named Vice President, USC Federal Relations. She starts on Oct. 31.

The federal relations office advances USC’s academic, medical, and research missions with Congress and the Administration. Under Saroff’s leadership, the office will also include the university’s new health policy team, which is responsible for the day-to-day health government relations at all levels of government.

Saroff joins USC following two decades of working in senior positions on Capitol Hill in the House and Senate. Most recently, she served as chief of staff to U.S. Reps. J. Luis Correa and Janice Hahn, both of California. She was also the legislative director for former U.S. Rep. Jane Harman, D-Calif., and the deputy legislative director for U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif. In these capacities, Saroff managed policy portfolios including significant work on the following committees: House Judiciary, Transportation and Infrastructure, Energy and Commerce, Small Business, and Homeland Security.

“In this complex political environment, Laurie is a respected coalition builder and public policy leader,” said Samuel Garrison, senior vice president, USC University Relations. “We are excited for Laurie to join the Trojan community and help advance USC’s mission in the nation’s capital.”

At USC, Saroff and her team will work to strengthen USC’s federal policy presence as well as provide enhanced internal customer service to university partners. That includes increased support for researchers and the medical enterprise. The federal relations team also will connect faculty, staff, and students with policymakers and leadership opportunities.

Saroff is passionate about creating and growing networks, which includes serving as co-president of the California State Society, as board member of 131 & Counting, and as founder and executive director of the Jewish Women’s Congressional Network. She is a graduate of Bryn Mawr College and earned her master of public policy from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.