State Relations builds relationships while developing and implementing strategies to advance UW–Madison’s priorities with the state legislature, the governor and other state agencies.
Crystal Potts
Senior Director of State Relations & Statewide Outreach
crystal.potts@wisc.edu
608-265-4105
Crystal Potts is the Senior Director of State Relations & Statewide Outreach for the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In her role, she serves as the point-of-contact for state government relations, including the governor’s office, state legislature, and state agencies. She also assists in the creation and implementation of a statewide advocacy effort on behalf of the university.
Crystal previously served as the chief of staff to Wisconsin State Senator Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green). In this capacity, she also supported the legislature’s budget-writing Joint Finance Committee as the senate staff lead on tax and local government issues. She also served as the research assistant and staff clerk to the Committee on Ways & Means in the State Assembly early in her career at the Wisconsin State Capitol.
Originally from the Twin Cities, Crystal is a proud graduate of UW-Madison with a BA in political science and Chinese. She lives in Fitchburg with her husband, two sons, two dogs, and two cats.
Mitch Goettl is the Assistant Director of State Relations. In his role, Mitch works with the Senior Director to implement the university’s advocacy and outreach efforts with the governor’s office, state legislature, and state agencies.
Mitch has spent his career serving the Wisconsin State Legislature, gaining bicameral experience. In the state Assembly, he previously served as the Communications Director to the Assembly Majority Leader, among other roles. Most recently, he served as Chief of Staff to Wisconsin State Senator Jesse James (R-Altoona).
Originally from Bloomer, WI, Mitch has a Bachelor of Arts in political science and philosophy from UW–Madison and Master of Public Policy and Administration from Northwestern University. Outside the office, he enjoys running and spending time with his dog, Phoebe.
Fran is overseeing the development of UW Connects, a statewide outreach initiative for University Relations. UW Connects includes Badger Talks, Bucky’s Classroom, and Wisconsin Ambassadors. She has 15+ years of experience in program development, event management, community and public relations, marketing, and communications. Formerly the Community Relations Manager at Monona Terrace Community & Convention Center, she served as a spokesperson for the facility, managed events, and developed robust partnerships within the Madison business community. In addition, she previously served as an Outreach Program Manager at UW–Stevens Point. Fran has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Illinois and an MBA in marketing from DePaul University.
Priorities
State Relations, as an office of University Relations, is developing and delivering messages on UW–Madison priorities with the state legislature, the governor and other state agencies while fostering relationships throughout the state.
Read about UW–Madison’s priorities for the 2025-27 state budget.