August 8, 2019
Sue Peterson recognized for leadership in governmental relations
Submitted by Communications and Marketing
Sue Peterson, chief governmental relations officer and assistant to the president, is the recipient of the Betty Colden Memorial Lectureship Award from the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities' Council on Governmental Affairs.
The award recognizes a national leader in congressional or governmental relations, who has made significant contributions to the profession, council and APLU. Peterson accepted the award and gave a lecture during the council's summer meeting Aug. 1 in Park City, Utah.
At the meeting, Peterson also was presented a Career Excellence Award for her outstanding contributions to the council, the governmental affairs profession and the higher education community over a lengthy career largely dedicated to university governmental relations. She is one of nine recipients in the history of the Career Excellence Award.
"These are tremendous honors that recognize Dr. Peterson's distinguished career and all of the great work she does for K-State," said President Richard Myers. "We are grateful for her dedication and commitment to serving as the university's liaison for activities with the state and federal legislature."
The lectureship honors the late Betty Colden of Michigan State University and Wayne State University, who made significant, compassionate contributions to the Council on Governmental Affairs, APLU and the profession of governmental relations.
Peterson, who joined the university in 1989, serves as a member of the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities Council on Governmental Affairs, including three terms on the Executive Committee and two terms as secretary. She is a founding member of the Kansas Board of Regents Council on Governmental Relations and helped found the Big 12 Council of Governmental Relations Officers. She also served as the Agriculture Authorization team lead and as a member of the Agriculture Committee on Legislative Planning, which provides recommendations to Congress for upcoming farm bills.
In an effort to keep the campus community informed on legislative issues affecting the university, Peterson hosts lunchtime review sessions during the Kansas legislative session. She also has served as an instructor in the political science department.
Additional awards include the 2011 Marvin D. "Swede" Johnson Achievement Award and 2016 Flinchbaugh Family Wildcat Pride Award.
Peterson earned a bachelor's degree and a doctorate from K-State and a master's degree in public administration from the University of Kansas.