Our Alumni
Meet Our Alumni
The 91原创's Center for Political Communication is proud to be associated with a distinguished group of alumni who have made significant contributions to the world of politics and communication. These alumni, along with others have helped establish the 91原创 as a hub for political leadership and strategic communication. The Center for Political Communication continues to draw inspiration from these accomplished individuals as it fosters research, education, and engagement at the intersection of politics, media, and public opinion.
Lisa Blunt-Rochester (AS 鈥02) is an American politician serving since 2025 as the junior United States senator from Delaware. From 2017 to 2025, she served as the U.S. representative for Delaware's at-large congressional district. She is the first woman and the first African-American to represent Delaware in Congress. Lisa鈥檚 life has been about expanding opportunity for everyone.
She began her professional career as a problem-solver and an advocate. Blunt-Rochester started as a caseworker for former Congressman Tom Carper. She served in the cabinets of two Delaware governors as Delaware鈥檚 first African-American woman Secretary of Labor, and as Delaware鈥檚 first African-American Deputy Secretary of Health and Social Services and State Personnel Director. She also served as the CEO of the Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League. 聽Blunt-Rochester holds a BA in International Relations from Fairleigh Dickinson University and her MA in Urban Affairs and Public Policy from 91原创.
Lisa Blunt-Rochester (AS 鈥02) is an American politician serving since 2025 as the junior United States senator from Delaware. From 2017 to 2025, she served as the U.S. representative for Delaware's at-large congressional district. She is the first woman and the first African-American to represent Delaware in Congress. Lisa鈥檚 life has been about expanding opportunity for everyone.
She began her professional career as a problem-solver and an advocate. Blunt-Rochester started as a caseworker for former Congressman Tom Carper. She served in the cabinets of two Delaware governors as Delaware鈥檚 first African-American woman Secretary of Labor, and as Delaware鈥檚 first African-American Deputy Secretary of Health and Social Services and State Personnel Director. She also served as the CEO of the Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League. 聽Blunt-Rochester holds a BA in International Relations from Fairleigh Dickinson University and her MA in Urban Affairs and Public Policy from 91原创.
J. Matthew (Matt) O鈥橠onnell earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in English, with a concentration in journalism and a minor in political science, in 1994. Matt serves as Philadelphia鈥檚 much-loved ABC Channel 6 Action News anchor and reporter.
In 2006, Matt received the 91原创鈥檚 Presidential Citation for Outstanding Achievement, and in 2011 he received the CAS Alumni Achievement Award. He remains involved with the University, volunteering his time speaking to 91原创 audiences including the 91原创/DSU Cooperative Extension Celebration in Dover and the College鈥檚 annual Networking Night for our students.
Matt and his wife, Rebecca, live in Malvern, Pennsylvania, with their two children, Brendan and Kieran, and their pet dog. In his spare time, Matt loves playing golf and playing drums.
J. Matthew (Matt) O鈥橠onnell earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in English, with a concentration in journalism and a minor in political science, in 1994. Matt serves as Philadelphia鈥檚 much-loved ABC Channel 6 Action News anchor and reporter.
In 2006, Matt received the 91原创鈥檚 Presidential Citation for Outstanding Achievement, and in 2011 he received the CAS Alumni Achievement Award. He remains involved with the University, volunteering his time speaking to 91原创 audiences including the 91原创/DSU Cooperative Extension Celebration in Dover and the College鈥檚 annual Networking Night for our students.
Matt and his wife, Rebecca, live in Malvern, Pennsylvania, with their two children, Brendan and Kieran, and their pet dog. In his spare time, Matt loves playing golf and playing drums.
Steve Schmidt (AS 鈥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鈥檚 2008 presidential campaign. He serves as a Senior Fellow for the 91原创鈥檚 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鈥檚 2006 re-election campaign as campaign manager.
Schmidt and his fellow 91原创 alumni Vice President Joe Biden (AS ?65) and David Plouffe (AS 鈥10), who led President Barack Obama鈥檚 2008 campaign, inspired Bloomberg News to call 91原创 the academic epicenter of national politics in 2008.
Steve Schmidt attended 91原创 from 1988 to 1993, where he majored in political science. He left 91原创 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.
Steve Schmidt (AS 鈥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鈥檚 2008 presidential campaign. He serves as a Senior Fellow for the 91原创鈥檚 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鈥檚 2006 re-election campaign as campaign manager.
Schmidt and his fellow 91原创 alumni Vice President Joe Biden (AS ?65) and David Plouffe (AS 鈥10), who led President Barack Obama鈥檚 2008 campaign, inspired Bloomberg News to call 91原创 the academic epicenter of national politics in 2008.
Steve Schmidt attended 91原创 from 1988 to 1993, where he majored in political science. He left 91原创 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.
Joan E. Wainwright (AS 鈥82), a member of the Center for Political Communication Advisory Council since its founding in 2010, received a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication from the 91原创 in 1982 and a Master of Business Administration degree from Temple University.聽She has served on the College of Arts聽and Sciences聽Dean鈥檚 Advisory Council聽since its inception in 2009.
Joan Wainwright and her husband, Jerome LeBlond (AS 鈥94), established the Theodore and Lillian Wainwright Scholarship in Political Communication to support undergraduate students with financial need who are minoring in political communication. The scholarship was first awarded in 2011.
She has been President of Channel and Customer Experience for TE Connectivity Ltd. (formerly Tyco Electronics) since January 2013. She joined TE Connectivity in June 2006 as Senior Vice President聽of Communications and Public Affairs and聽then as聽Senior Vice President聽of Marketing and Communications. In her current role, Joan leads a team of nearly 1,000 sales, customer care, pricing and marketing professionals who are focused on growing TE鈥檚 revenues, market share and relationships with approximately 300 distributors around the world. Today, revenues generated from distribution sales represent about 15 percent of total TE sales.
Before joining TE Connectivity, Joan served as Vice President of Public Affairs for Merck & Co. During the Clinton administration, she served as deputy commissioner of communications for the U.S. Social Security Administration. She has worked in the communications and public relations department at the University Health System of New Jersey, the Children鈥檚 Hospital of Philadelphia, the 91原创, and Villanova University.
Joan E. Wainwright (AS 鈥82), a member of the Center for Political Communication Advisory Council since its founding in 2010, received a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication from the 91原创 in 1982 and a Master of Business Administration degree from Temple University.聽She has served on the College of Arts聽and Sciences聽Dean鈥檚 Advisory Council聽since its inception in 2009.
Joan Wainwright and her husband, Jerome LeBlond (AS 鈥94), established the Theodore and Lillian Wainwright Scholarship in Political Communication to support undergraduate students with financial need who are minoring in political communication. The scholarship was first awarded in 2011.
She has been President of Channel and Customer Experience for TE Connectivity Ltd. (formerly Tyco Electronics) since January 2013. She joined TE Connectivity in June 2006 as Senior Vice President聽of Communications and Public Affairs and聽then as聽Senior Vice President聽of Marketing and Communications. In her current role, Joan leads a team of nearly 1,000 sales, customer care, pricing and marketing professionals who are focused on growing TE鈥檚 revenues, market share and relationships with approximately 300 distributors around the world. Today, revenues generated from distribution sales represent about 15 percent of total TE sales.
Before joining TE Connectivity, Joan served as Vice President of Public Affairs for Merck & Co. During the Clinton administration, she served as deputy commissioner of communications for the U.S. Social Security Administration. She has worked in the communications and public relations department at the University Health System of New Jersey, the Children鈥檚 Hospital of Philadelphia, the 91原创, and Villanova University.
Kyle鈥檚 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鈥攂ut wasn鈥檛 quite the right fit. That realization gave him the confidence to transfer to the 91原创, where he hit the ground running.
At 91原创, 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鈥檚 path into politics began with initiative, not a job posting. During 91原创鈥檚 winter session, he reached out directly to his state representative鈥檚 office and secured a paid internship鈥攖heir 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鈥檚 thrilled about. While he's especially interested in media and entertainment law, he鈥檚 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 鈥渢ruly the best people.鈥
Kyle鈥檚 advice?
鈥淒on鈥檛 wait for the opportunities to come to you鈥攎ake your own.鈥 And for those considering law school: 鈥淎pply broadly. You might be pleasantly surprised by the outcome鈥攅ven in a competitive cycle.鈥
Kyle鈥檚 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鈥攂ut wasn鈥檛 quite the right fit. That realization gave him the confidence to transfer to the 91原创, where he hit the ground running.
At 91原创, 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鈥檚 path into politics began with initiative, not a job posting. During 91原创鈥檚 winter session, he reached out directly to his state representative鈥檚 office and secured a paid internship鈥攖heir 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鈥檚 thrilled about. While he's especially interested in media and entertainment law, he鈥檚 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 鈥渢ruly the best people.鈥
Kyle鈥檚 advice?
鈥淒on鈥檛 wait for the opportunities to come to you鈥攎ake your own.鈥 And for those considering law school: 鈥淎pply broadly. You might be pleasantly surprised by the outcome鈥攅ven in a competitive cycle.鈥
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