Our Alumni

Steve Schmidt (AS ’13) is one of the premier public affairs and campaign strategists in the country. Schmidt has worked on numerous high-profile political campaigns, most notably managing daily operations of John McCain’s 2008 presidential campaign. He serves as a Senior Fellow for the University of Delaware’s Center for Political Communication.

Schmidt was the Communications Director for the National Republican Congressional Committee in 2002. He served as a member of the senior strategic planning group that ran the George W. Bush re-election campaign in 2004. He served as the White House strategist for the Supreme Court nominations of Justice Samuel Alito and Chief Justice John Roberts. He also worked on Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s 2006 re-election campaign as campaign manager.

Schmidt and his fellow UD alumni Vice President Joe Biden (AS ?65) and David Plouffe (AS ’10), who led President Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign, inspired Bloomberg News to call University of Delaware the academic epicenter of national politics in 2008.

Steve Schmidt attended University of Delaware from 1988 to 1993, where he majored in political science. He left UD one math class short of graduation, but then completed the three-credit course in 2013. He went on to graduate and deliver the convocation address to his fellow graduates.

Kyle’s academic journey may have taken a few turns, but it led to an inspiring destination. He began college at Elizabethtown College, a small school that helped him grow—but wasn’t quite the right fit. That realization gave him the confidence to transfer to the University of Delaware, where he hit the ground running.

At UD, Kyle made the most of every opportunity. As a Blue Hen Ambassador, he helped fellow transfer students feel at home. As Recruitment Chair for HenLaw, he built community among students interested in pursuing law. He also served as an undergraduate teaching assistant and was honored with the prestigious J. Caleb Boggs Scholarship for Public Service.

Kyle’s path into politics began with initiative, not a job posting. During UD’s winter session, he reached out directly to his state representative’s office and secured a paid internship—their first-ever winter intern. That opportunity eventually led to a full-time role after graduation.

Now serving as a Constituent Services Advisor in the Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus, Kyle works closely with government agencies to resolve constituent issues, manages social media, and plans community events. He also gained campaign experience as a Field Organizer with Princeton Strategies, where he canvassed, coordinated volunteers, and got a behind-the-scenes look at political strategy.

This fall, Kyle will begin law school at UCLA, a surprise addition to his journey, but one he’s thrilled about. While he's especially interested in media and entertainment law, he’s keeping his options open as he continues exploring the legal field.

He credits professors Erin Cassese and Danna Young for their support and inspiration, calling them “truly the best people.”

Kyle’s advice?
“Don’t wait for the opportunities to come to you—make your own.” And for those considering law school: “Apply broadly. You might be pleasantly surprised by the outcome—even in a competitive cycle.”