Roth discusses interim vice president for Government and External Relations position


Toby Roth believes everyone at Central Michigan University has to be involved when it comes to recquesting increased funding from the state.

Roth was appointed to interim vice president for Government and External Relations on April 2 by President George Ross. 

Roth previously served as CMU’s director of government relations and public affairs.

He replaces Kathleen Wilbur, who was appointed to executive vice president for Government and External Relations at Michigan State University last month. Roth said he will remain in the position until a new president appoints him, or another candidate, permanently.

Roth has worked at CMU since 2001. He started by working on state appropriation issues and federal research funding initiatives. As director of government relations and public affairs, Roth worked to raise the profile of CMU in Washington, D.C. 

“While it’s our job to interact with legislature on a daily basis, students, faculty and administrators play a vital role in communicating how the state’s investment in higher education directly impacts the CMU community,” Roth said. “Our job in Lansing is truly a team effort.”

Roth spoke with Central Michigan Life about his new position and the work he is doing in Lansing and Washington, D.C.

How will this new position differ from your previous one?

Roth: The main difference is I will have other people reporting to me and other issues to deal with. Public broadcasting reports to this position. I will also be working closely with the (Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe). In addition, we will probably be working more with local officials. I have participated in those meetings previously, but it will be different being the leader of the meetings.

How did you prepare for this position?

I worked very closely with Kathy Wilbur for many, many years, so I’ve been preparing for this position for a long time. I’ve sat in many of these meetings — even though I didn’t have direct control, I am very knowledgeable about these issues.

What do you hope to accomplish in this role?

I want to continue the work we’ve done in the past few years. I’d like to keep working with students, faculty and my colleagues on various issues. 

We are facing many issues in Lansing: the higher education budget, a capital outlay bill and several university programs we want to make sure we have funding for.

How do you make sure CMU receives funding from the government?

I have been actively talking with state legislators about CMU and the importance state funding plays in the success of our students and the role CMU plays in the state’s economy. 

In 2001, Michigan ranked No. 20 in per capita state fiscal support for higher education, compared to No. 43 today. We need to remind the legislature that it isn’t just about appropriating dollars for CMU – it’s about investing in the future of our state. 

Another priority is to remind state and federal legislators that our faculty and students participate in Great Lakes research projects and that CMU researchers are leading a $20 million grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to monitor and assess Great Lakes coastal wetlands.

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