The Hinckley Institute Team
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Jason Perry, JD
Director
Jason Perry, JD
Director
Jason Perry is the Director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics and the Vice President for Government Relations for the University of Utah. Jason brings more than 25 years of experience working in the public sector, where he has worked extensively with policy makers at the local, state, and federal levels. Previously, Jason served as the Chief of Staff to Governor Gary Herbert, and was the Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development under Jon Huntsman where Jason was honored as CEO of the Year by Utah Business Magazine. Jason also worked in the Attorney General’s office and was an intern and later, a staff member to Senator Orrin Hatch. Jason is a graduate of the S.J. Quinney College of Law, where he now teaches law students the role of ethics and politics in creating legislation.
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Morgan Lyon Cotti, PhD
Associate Director
Morgan serves as the associate director of the Hinckley and manages the local and legislative internships. She also contributes to the Hinckley’s political analysis and research. Morgan is a former Hinckley intern and holds a PhD in Political Science from George Washington University.
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Natalie Tippets, MS
Associate Director, Government Relations, The University of Utah
Natalie Tippets, MS
Associate Director, Government Relations, The University of Utah
Natalie has been with The University of Utah since 2008 and joined the Hinckley team in 2016. Natalie coordinates media requests for the Institute, serves as a producer of The Hinckley Report, and is a member of The Hinckley Poll, the Hinckley Institute's political polling group.
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Gina Shipley, MPA
Managing Director of National Internships & Development Officer
Gina Shipley, MPA
Managing Director of National Internships & Development Officer
Gina Shipley has been with the Hinckley Institute as the National Program Director since 2014. She oversees the national and DC internship programs. Gina also manages development and alumni relations.
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Jean Oh, M. Ed.
Managing Director of Global Internships
Jean Oh joined the University of Utah in 2013 and served as the first Director of UAC Student Services and Main Campus Operations until 2017 when she joined the Hinckley Institute of Politics as the Managing Director of the Global Internship Program.
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Nick Cockrell
Managing Director of Community Engagement
Nick returned to the Hinckley Institute in November of 2021. A graduate from the University of Utah, Nick will coordinate our forum series, support special events, and manage our office's budget and scholarship programs.
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Brooke Doner
Director of Marketing
Brooke joined the Hinckley Institute as the Director of Marketing in January 2018. A graduate of the University of Colorado, she previously worked as an art director in both San Francisco and New Zealand's advertising industries.
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Keith Grover, MEd, EdD
Global Engagement Specialist
Keith Grover, MEd, EdD
Global Engagement Specialist
Keith Grover has been involved in numerous international programs to advance the mission of the University of Utah over the last 5 years. He was a critical member of the team that established the Utah Asian campus in Songdo, Korea and recruits students from various countries across the globe. Keith is a current member of the Utah Senate and a former Representative for 10 years. Keith retired from working as a teacher and administrator in public education in Jordan and Alpine districts after 25 years of service.
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Alex MacFarlane, MSc
Administrative Program Coordinator
Alex joined the Hinckley Institute in November 2021. She earned a MSc in International Relations of the Middle East from the University of Edinburgh. Alex provides administrative support for internship programs and oversees Andrew Goodman Foundation ambassadors and HIP Talks.
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Karina Barker
Student Staff
Karina is a senior at the University of Utah studying Political Science and International Studies. She has completed two internships with the Howell Group in the 2022 and 2023 Utah Legislative Sessions.
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Ella Sjoblom
Student Staff
Ella is a third-year student majoring in Economics and Political Science. Ella spent two semesters as a local intern at the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute.
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Lily Jones
Student Staff
Lily is a third-year student studying political science and sociology. She spent two semesters as a local intern with Family Planning Elevated.