A lobbyist and political consultant for 20 years, Jack Neil, American studies and political
science '77, has seen many political debates in the Maryland General Assembly. "During the 90-day
session, 3,000 bills are introduced and considered by 188 legislators," says Neil, who works 18-hour
days for his clients when the legislature is in session. "I often get back in my office at 3 a.m."
When not lobbying for his private clients--a distinguished list that includes the Chesapeake Bay
Foundation, the American Cancer Society and others in the areas of trade, energy, healthcare and
the environment--Neil finds time to advocate for UMBC.
"Many decisions made in Annapolis affect higher education," says Neil, who was a driving force in
establishing the annual UMBC legislative reception. The reception is a chance for UMBC alumni,
faculty, staff and students to meet legislators and for them to meet the UMBC community. Nearly
300 people were in attendance at this year's reception. "It's a unique reception because of our
enthusiastic alumni and because it is so well attended," says Neil. "You see people talking, alumni
exchanging business cards and legislators learning about UMBC's programs and activities. The governor
came to our reception this year--you don't see that too often," he says.
Neil also helped establish the UMBC Public Policy Forum, a public advocacy group for UMBC, which
has quickly grown from three to 20 individuals. "I kept seeing all these ambassadors for UMBC roaming
the halls of the State House," says Neil. Members are UMBC graduates working as lobbyists and in
other ways in the legislative process in Annapolis. "This is important work," says Neil. "When the
university succeeds, the state of Maryland succeeds and the result is a stronger economy and a better
life for our children."
"I knew I wanted to be involved in lobbying by my junior year at UMBC," says Neil, who was vice
president of the Student Government Association. He became interested in efforts to fight tuition
increases and funding cutbacks and organized a rally with several hundred students at UMBC that
caught the attention of the Board of Regents. He then organized a rally at the State House with
1,300 students from all over Maryland to keep education affordable. It's a fond memory for Neil,
who now walks up the same marble steps.
Denise Elizabeth Lee is a consulting writer and editor with the Johns Hopkins School of
Public Health and is earning a master's in library science at the University of Maryland,
College Park.
