The Office of Government and Community Affairs Team

John L. Kaczynski serves as the Executive Director of Governmental and Community Affairs at Saginaw Valley State University. In this role, he represents SVSU in Washington DC and Lansing, as well as in the Great Lakes Bay Region. Prior to his role in Governmental Affairs, he served as an Assistant Professor of Political Science, as well as the Director of the Center for Public Policy & Service. He been serving on the team at SVSU since 2005. Since serving in his current role, Mr. Kaczynski has been able to advocate for many programs and projects at SVSU. These include funding for the Carmona College of Business, Brown Hall and the Lake Huron Environmental Sciences Research Station. As well, he has been able to advocate for many financial aid programs including the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, MI Future Teachers Fellowship and funding to improve the transfer pipeline for nursing students between community colleges and universities. Outside of advocacy efforts in Lansing and Washington DC, John helps lead the SVSU Public Affairs Council, SVSU Board of Fellows and various other community functions with the Governmental and Community Affairs Team. Mr. Kaczynski currently serves as Chairperson for the Michigan Works Association Statewide Board of Directors and Vice-Chair for the Michigan Political History Society. He also serves on the Michigan College Access Network Board of Directors, as well as on the Michigan Political Leadership Program Advisory Board. In the Great Lakes Bay Region, he serves on the Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce and the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce Boards of Directors. He is also a member of Frankenmuth Rotary and serves on the Frankenmuth City Council. John is a current student in the Higher Education Administration Ph.D. program at the University of Toledo. He also holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Public Administration from Central Michigan University; and is a graduate of the Michigan Political Leadership Program. He resides in Frankenmuth with his spouse, Martha and their son, George.

Lex Hallberg serves as the Assistant Director of Community Affairs, where she is instrumental in connecting the university with the local community. Her work focuses on creating and strengthening partnerships that enhance engagement and collaboration. Outside of her professional role, Lex is an active community member with a strong passion for the Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan. She serves on the service unit and co-leads her daughter's troop, demonstrating her commitment to both youth development and community involvement. Lex’s efforts to build impactful relationships reflect her dedication to fostering a supportive and engaged community both on and off campus.

Dahlia Terry is a student at Saginaw Valley State University, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a minor in History. She has a passion for public policy and civil discourse. Beyond the classroom, Dahlia has gained practical experience through her internship at Civic Influencers, where she has worked to register voters and organize events, while also completing coursework in statistics and leadership. She also is involved in several campus organizations, such as the Law Club, Legal Scholars, Cardinals Vote, and is the President of the College Republicans. In her position in the Government Affairs Office she is gaining valuable skills that will help her in the future!

Having skillfully lobbied local, state, and federal governments, Chris Fisher is known for winning both the big fights and the behind the scenes battles on behalf of clients. With a keen focus on policy details, a strong ability to navigate Michigan’s lawmaking and rules process, and deeply-rooted relationships, his focus areas include construction management, criminal justice, economic development, higher education, insurance, labor law, regulatory systems, and taxation. His efforts have earned Chris a reputation as one of Lansing’s most effective lobbyists by the MIRS News Survey. Chris also has substantial business and trade association experience having previously served as CEO of Associated Builders and Contractors of Michigan, equipping him with association management expertise and a long list of accomplishments representing the industry’s interests before the Michigan Legislature and U.S. Congress. Prior to his business association and lobbying career, Chris worked for two Speakers of the Michigan House of Representatives, the Assistant President Pro Tempore of the Michigan Senate, and the U.S. Congress. Chris is a graduate of Hillsdale College with dual degrees in history and political science.

Chris Andresen is the current Senior Vice President at Dutko Government Relations and also lobbies in D.C. on behalf of SVSU. His policy areas include Appropriations, Federal Lobbying/strategic Planning, and Renewable Energy Policy. He has a master's degree from the University of Maryland's School of Business and got his B.A from the University of Virginia.