Isabel Penin

Federal Relations Associate

Isabel Penin serves as the Federal Relations Associate for the University of Florida’s Office of Federal Relations in Washington, D.C. In this role, she assists the Assistant Vice President and Director for Federal Government Relations in all aspects of the office’s work, including maintaining calendar schedules, setting appointments, planning and executing events, and making travel arrangements. She also prepares and maintains correspondence and documents, develops presentations and reports, and coordinates the Washington Internship Program.

Isabel is a graduate of the University of Florida, where she earned a B.A. in Political Science with minors in Business Administration, Public Service, and Public Relations. She is a member of Florida Blue Key. As a student, she served as Chief of Staff and Director of Special Projects for the Student Government External Affairs Agency, leading student advocacy at the local, state, and federal levels. She also served in various leadership roles within the Student Government Executive Agencies, Senate, and Cabinet where she worked to enhance the student experience and advocate for meaningful initiatives. 

Isabel has hands-on legislative experience at both the state and federal levels, including internships in the Florida State Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives. She participated in the Bob Graham Center’s Washington Internship Program herself, giving her a firsthand perspective on the program she now coordinates. Before joining the Federal Relations team, she worked as an Elections Support Specialist for Miami Dade County.

Passionate about service, public policy, and education policy, Isabel is proud to represent UF on a national stage while fostering connections with faculty, alumni, and students.