NORMAN, OKLA. – The University of Oklahoma announced today the appointment of Hollye Hunt as the university’s new Vice President of Executive Affairs and Chief of Staff, pending final approval of the OU Board of Regents.
Hunt, who has served as OU’s Chief Government Affairs Officer since 2021, will fill the role following the recently announced appointment of Sean Burrage as the next Chancellor of the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education.
“Hollye Hunt’s extensive background in government relations, deep understanding of policy and proven success in building strategic partnerships will be key in guiding OU into the future,” said OU President Joesph Harroz Jr. “We are confident her expertise and dedication will continue to greatly benefit the university and communities we serve.”
As Chief Government Affairs Officer, Hunt leads legislative advocacy efforts across the OU enterprise while managing the university’s and health system’s relationships at all levels of government.
In this role, she has been pivotal in securing in excess of $300 million in targeted state appropriations for transformational projects, including the OU Health Pediatric Behavioral Health Center, Stephenson Cancer Center’s expansion to Tulsa and two new research/teaching buildings on OU’s Norman campus. Hunt’s work with Oklahoma’s federal delegation has resulted in an increase in federal funding for both directed spending projects and programmatic research efforts, including a $36 million earmark for Max Westheimer Airport.
Before taking on her current role, Hunt focused exclusively on government relations for OU Health, serving as its Vice President of External Affairs. Her career has also included serving as Vice President of Legislative Affairs for the Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association, working for the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education as its Vice Chancellor for Governmental Relations, as well as working for Congressman Tom Cole in a legal advising role.
Hunt completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Texas at Austin before earning her Juris Doctorate from Oklahoma City University.
OU would like to extend its deepest gratitude to Sean Burrage for his exceptional service and leadership. His guidance and insight have been instrumental in shaping some of the university’s most significant achievements, while transforming the lives of countless students and elevating OU’s excellence to new heights.
About the University of Oklahoma
Founded in 1890, the University of Oklahoma is a public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. As the state’s flagship university, OU serves the educational, cultural, economic and health care needs of the state, region and nation. For more information about the university, visit www.ou.edu.
Doris Benbrook, Ph.D., a Presbyterian Health Foundation Presidential Professor at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, has been named Associate Director for Translational Research at OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center, the only National Cancer Institute-Designated Cancer Center in Oklahoma.
The Harold Hamm Diabetes Center at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences will gain a new deputy director, Matthew Potthoff, Ph.D., effective January 1. Potthoff will also hold the title of Harold Hamm Endowed Chair in Clinical Diabetes Research and professor of biochemistry and physiology, with a secondary appointment in the division of neurology in the OU School of Medicine.
James George, M.D., and Jennifer Holter-Chakrabarty, M.D., were recognized by the American Society of Hematology (ASH) during its annual meeting Dec. 7-10.