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November 20, 2000
Q&A:
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Gabrielle Charette
director, Government Relations
After a successful career in government, Gabrielle Charette decided it was time
for a change. In July she became Montclair State's director of Government Relations.
Now Charette has the best of both worlds: She's exploring a new career in higher
education yet maintains ties with the state and federal government.
"I've worked in government my entire professional life," said the former counsel to Gov. Christine Whitman's chief of staff. "That experience will help me develop and manage strong relationships between the University and state, federal and local governments, and promote Montclair State in terms of higher education and issues of funding." The director, who said she enjoys the friendly atmosphere on campus and strolling over to Sprague Library at lunch, recently discussed how she plans to foster relationships with government officials and acquire resources for the University.
INSIGHT:
Tell us about your background in government.
Charette: I have a law degree from Rutgers University and I worked at the New
Jersey Department of Banking. In my role as counsel I advised the chief of staff
on policy matters and met with interest groups, citizens' groups and lobbyists.
I also dealt with the cabinet officers, negotiated issues and resolved crises.
INSIGHT:
What advantages has your experience provided in your current position?
Charette: I understand how the government works and how it's structured. I know
where to go for information and whom to contact. Because I know most of the
people personally, I can pick up the phone and get a return call. I also know
where not to go so we don't waste time.
INSIGHT:
What are your priorities?
Charette: The governor is going to propose a budget in January, so we want to
make sure state appropriations benefit Montclair State, not just in terms of
gross dollars, but of criteria, so we can best meet our needs to grow capacity.
The president [of the United States] proposes the federal budget in February,
so we would like to see money earmarked in that budget for the College of Education
and Human Services.
I'd also like to heighten the awareness of Montclair State on policy and decision makers' radar screens. Rutgers comes to mind as the largest university in the state, and NJIT is recognized in terms of science and technology. We want people to think of Montclair State, so we're going to introduce New Jersey legislators to the University by inviting them to a tour of the campus.
INSIGHT:
How do you want people to think of Montclair State?
Charette: The University is nationally recognized for teacher preparation, and
every report predicts that there's going to be a shortage of teachers by the
year 2008. The Department of Education has estimated that half of the current
teaching force is going to retire. We need more teachers, and that's a niche
that Montclair State already has, and given current demographics and trends
in teaching, it's something we can play up. There's also the issue of students
leaving New Jersey to attend college in other states. When students go to college
out of state, we've lost them because they're inclined to get a job where they
got their education. We need to curb that migration, and because Dr. Cole and
the University want to grow capacity, we're prepared to do that. We offer a
variety of programs and we're in close proximity to Manhattan, yet we're still
a suburban school. I think we can make a difference in keeping students in New
Jersey.
INSIGHT:
What are the advantages to being the University's first director of Government
Relations?
Charette: I'm not wedded to the way things were done in the past. I can be creative
in the process of making this position what I want it to be and what it needs
to be. The disadvantage is that there were no standard operating procedures,
and in the beginning that's always a little rough.
INSIGHT: Why did you make the switch from government to education?
Charette: I wanted to do something different, and it was important for me to
move into a position that I could feel good about and believe in what I was
doing. This is something in which I think I can make a difference.