The campaign days of 'My Barack Obama' may be over but the new administration is determined to maintain the community organizing spirit of the successful presidential bid. To that end, the White House announced today that the Office of Public Liaison will now be known as the Office of Public Engagement. Accompanying the new name is a new mission to help build relationships with Americans through which they can participate in and help inform the work of the president.

The initiative speaks to the president's desire to maintain grassroots outreach to Americans. Gathering information from outside the capital city and creating a strong online presence will be a focus of the office.

Despite the new name, the leadership will remain the same as it was under the Office of Public Liaison. Carrying out the new mission is Valerie Jarrett, senior adviser to the president; Christina Tchen, director of the Office of Public Engagement; and Michael Strautmanis, chief of staff to the assistant to the president for intergovernmental relations and public engagement.

Read the full release here: WH Office of Public Engagement.pdf

                                                                                                            -- Eliza Krigman