SU's Sheehan Earns Spot on '20 in their Twenties' List

SALISBURY, MD---Robby Sheehan, Salisbury University government and community relations director and deputy chief of staff, has earned a spot on The Daily Record’s prestigious “20 in their Twenties” list, honoring young professionals in Maryland who are making a difference in their communities and beyond.

Shortly after earning his B.A. in political science in 2011, he was hired as the interim managing director of SU’s Institute for Public Affairs and Civic Engagement (PACE). He began his service as SU’s government relations director late that year, earning a promotion to his current position in 2013. Within a year, he was selected to serve on SU President Janet Dudley-Eshbach’s Executive Staff.

“After watching Robby develop as a student leader over the course of his undergraduate career, I can conclude that there is something exceptional about his abilities,” said Dudley-Eshbach in a letter of nomination. “Having come to Salisbury University on a full University System of Maryland Board of Regents Merit Scholarship, it was clear that he would stand out during his time at SU. I did not anticipate just how much he would contribute to our campus.

“From day one, Robby had the University’s best interests at heart in Annapolis, advocating before the Maryland General Assembly. In fact, because of his youth, I quickly found that people tended to underestimate his abilities. But in Annapolis and elsewhere, Robby’s maturity and intelligence enabled him to operate at a level far exceeding what one might expect from a young professional. I often think of him and refer to him as the University’s ‘secret weapon.’”

Among his significant contributions to SU, Sheehan worked to secure more than $106 million in state capital funding for the campus’ Patricia R. Guerrieri Academic Commons, scheduled to open this fall as a replacement for the University’s current Blackwell Library, built in 1953. He worked with key legislators to advance the project forward several years from then-Governor Martin O’Malley’s original budget proposal.

“Individuals with Robby’s drive and dedication, as well as a full slate of accomplishments already achieved, are rare indeed and especially at his age,” said Dudley-Eshbach.

In addition, Sheehan has strengthened partnerships for the University with elected officials and community members not only in Annapolis, but locally. He is active with the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce, the Epoch Dream Center, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Chesapeake, the United Way’s Mentoring Task Force and The Uprising Church, and is very involved in efforts to revitalize downtown Salisbury.

Lauding his work in the community, United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore Executive Director Kathleen Mommé noted Sheehan “may be the most sought-after young professional in our community due to his dynamic leadership.” With the Chamber, he has worked to grow the organization’s Advocacy Division and has been “instrumental in the creation of new programs, like the Advocacy Roundtable, and events that promote an open and productive dialogue between the community and elected officials on key issues,” said Chamber President and CEO Ernie Colburn. In addition, he serves on the Chamber’s Education Network and has organized political forums and debates for the organization. Sheehan received the Chamber’s “Member Volunteer of the Year” award at the organization’s annual banquet in April.

In addition to his SU degree, Sheehan holds an associate’s degree from Chesapeake College and a Master of Public Administration and a certificate in politics from the University of Pennsylvania.

A reception honoring this year’s “20 in their Twenties” honorees is scheduled 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 22, at Gertrude’s at the Baltimore Museum of Art. For more information visit http://thedailyrecord.com/20-in-their-twenties.

For more information about SU call 410-543-6030 or visit the SU website at www.salisbury.edu.