TOPEKA — Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly Tuesday announced that Vijay Ramasamy has joined the Kelly administration to serve as special advisor for water. In this role, Ramasamy will advise Kelly on water planning and develop coordinated strategies to ensure a sustainable future for water in Kansas.

“I am glad Vijay has rejoined my administration to lead our work on water projects and move conservation efforts forward,” said Kelly. “This new role reaffirms my commitment to preserving our remaining water supply that has powered our farming economy for decades. Vijay’s expertise will be crucial as we address the historic drought Kansas is facing.”

The special advisor for water is a new position created by Kelly to drive progress on the state’s most pressing water issues. Ramasamy will be working with state and local partners throughout Kansas and across the region to advance shared water policy goals and develop strategies addressing short- and long-term issues related to water quality and quantity.

“It’s such a privilege to be able to return to my home state and serve the Kelly Administration and the people of Kansas on this critical issue,” Ramasamy said. “Water is the lifeblood of our communities and our economy, and I am looking forward to working with our incredible state and local partners to support the Governor’s vision of securing this precious natural resource for generations to come.”

Ramasamy returns to the Kelly administration, where he first served as a policy coordinator and later as a policy and budget advisor from 2019-2021. Ramasamy recently completed both a master of public policy and a master of science in comparative social policy as a Rhodes Scholar at the University of Oxford. He holds an undergraduate bachelor of arts degree in public health studies from Johns Hopkins University.