Marissa Brewer
Director of Advocacy
Marissa Brewer leads the University of Illinois System’s grassroots advocacy program Illinois Connection. Originally from Texas, Marissa began her career as a legislative aide in Washington D.C. for a U.S. Congressman, advising him on a variety of issues, including education policy. While in D.C., she gained extensive experience in legislative advocacy, federal lobbying, politics, and elections. Marissa relocated to central Illinois in 2009 to work for Illinois State University as the Associate Director of Development and Governmental Relations. In 2013, Marissa joined the U of I System in 2013 to help lead the legislative advocacy efforts. In her current role, she leads the legislative advocacy efforts including the Illinois Connection, the system's grassroots advocacy program with more than 30,000 members.
Marissa also consults for the Congressional Management Foundation, helping to train their clients in best practices regarding legislative advocacy. She also serves on several committees and boards including the Steering Committee of Public Higher Education Legislative Advocacy Professionals, a national organization of higher education advocacy professionals who are dedicated to determining the best practices for advocacy in the higher education setting.
Marissa has a bachelor’s degree in public administration from Texas State University and a master’s in political science from the University of Illinois Springfield. She also has a certificate in PAC and Grassroots Management from the Public Affairs Council and a certificate as a Master Online Teacher Advancing Practice and Innovation in Online Learning from the University of Illinois Springfield.
Contact Marissa