Ken Stroupe is the Associate Director and Chief of Staff at the University of Virginia Center for Politics where he has served since the Center was founded by Professor Larry J. Sabato in 1998. Prior to joining the Center for Politics, Ken worked on two U.S. presidential campaigns and has advised numerous gubernatorial and congressional campaigns. His career in politics began in 1991 on Capitol Hill as Press Secretary to then-Congressman George Allen. In 1993, Stroupe served as the chief spokesman and media coordinator for Allen’s successful gubernatorial campaign, and following the election was appointed by the governor as Communications Director where he was responsible for message development and supervised all public communications throughout the Governor’s administration including media affairs, speech writing, and public outreach. Ken later served as Vice President of Government Relations for a large East Coast firm where he managed a diverse portfolio of both public and private sector clients assisting them on policy issues and designing strategic communications and management plans.Ken has also served on numerous state and local government task forces and study commissions including an appointment to the Virginia Commission on Civics Education by then-Governor Mark Warner and later reappointed for a second term by former Governor Tim Kaine. At the Center for Politics Ken has published national research on the state of civics education and civic participation in the United States through sponsored grants from the Center for Civic Learning and Engagement and the United States Congress. At the University he teaches classes on US politics, campaigns and elections as well as Virginia politics and government.