Meet Our Alumni in Politics

Amid the election season, when turning on the TV or radio or watching streaming content guarantees that you’ll see political ads, we’re checking in with some of our alums who’ve pursued political careers. Here, they tell us what sparked their passions, how their education at Millersville prepared them for their jobs, and why staying involved is essential.

TOM BAKER ’02

Former two-term county councilman and a current trustee of Millersville University, Tom Baker is a familiar face to many. This 2002 graduate studied elementary education and has stayed closely connected to the University. He even met his wife and fellow alum, Erin, here. Outside of his work on campus, he’s the chief executive officer of Variety – The Children’s Charity of Pittsburgh. Baker was elected as a county councilman on November 5, 2013, and reelected on November 7, 2017, to represent District 1 in Allegheny County and represented nearly 100,000 residents during his terms.

Baker’s journey into politics began many years before his official governmental election. He served as MU’s student body president from 1999–2001. “Millersville is truly what got me going on my journey in politics and government,” explains Baker. “I had four highly competitive races to win freshman elections, vice president and my two terms. Some of the competitive nature of campaigns was instilled in me through those races.” Baker credits his longtime friend and fellow trustee Brandon Danz ‘03 for getting him involved and showing up for him when he later ran for elected office. “He and some of our fellow Marauders even drove five hours in my most recent races to support our campaign,” he shares enthusiastically. “Those are the relationships you make at our beloved alma mater!”

While it can be challenging, Baker explains why involvement in politics is important. “Government can work and, at its core, is inspiring and exciting to be a part of. I ran half-marathons, and the poster that always almost made me stop was, ‘You’re running better than our government.’ I always wanted to stop to tell them the good stories and remind them that at the local level in many of the 14 communities I represented for those eight years, it runs remarkably well in a kind, thoughtful, bipartisan manner.”

PATRICK BLANCH ’02

As a member of the Acacia Fraternity during his time at Millersville, Patrick Blanch ‘02 learned firsthand about the importance of community service and civic responsibility. Now, Blanch is a judge of the Circuit Court of Fairfax County, Virginia, and he has emphasized those values while combining his strong beliefs in the importance of the law.

While majoring in history, Blanch remembers Millersville as a place with a sense of community. “By the time I was an upperclassman, I knew someone in almost every room I entered,” he says. “I had some wonderful and long-lasting friendships and great mentorship from teachers like Dr. Richard Glenn.”

Blanch knew from a young age that he wanted to be a lawyer. “My grandmother told me when I was very young that I had an obligation to stand up for other people, and especially for people who didn’t look like me when they were facing hostility or unfairness,” he says. “That stuck with me.”

While first working as a public defender and then later as a pro bono and court-appointed attorney, Blanch felt that someone with the work and life experience he had would contribute a unique and helpful perspective to the court.

As a judge, Blanch helps serve the largest county in Virginia, with over 1 million residents. His court hears various cases, including jury trials, divorces, felony criminal cases and civil lawsuits. For Blanch, it’s clear his work is meaningful. “It is about serving others and making others feel that, even when they are going through something difficult, they are still worthy of dignity and respect,” he says.

He continues, “I think public service has an element of hope – the idea that things can improve if good people give their best effort on behalf of all of us.”

Blanch acknowledges that the work is hard and not glamorous, but he encourages students interested in public service to keep pursuing their goals. “I would tell young people that if your intentions are good, and you care about your community, then give public service a try.”

MINDY FEE ’87

State Representative Mindy Fee graduated from Millersville with a degree in economics in 1987 and spent her early years watching her mother become the first woman to serve on the borough council in Manheim, Pennsylvania. But her first taste of political work came some years later. “I first dipped my toe in the political world when I married Tommy Fee, who served as Manheim’s mayor and then a district judge,” she explains. “I became a Republican committeewoman and started learning about local politics to help Tommy and what he was involved in.” Sadly, in 2011, Tommy passed away suddenly. “It left me reeling and in shock for quite some time.”

Fee felt ready to take on a new challenge as time passed, even in her grief. “I knew I needed to focus on being an example for our kids by being willing to pick myself up and move on – no matter what life brings you.” Several people approached her about possibly running for the open state representative seat on the 2012 ballot. After much consideration, Fee decided she would do just that. “That was a goal I wanted to shoot for in creating a new normal for my kids and me,” she says.

Fee said her education at Millersville was paramount to her career success. “I’m grateful for my Millersville experience because my college time did a lot to shape me for future endeavors.” Her degree in economics, she says, proved beneficial in both her career as a sales executive and as a state representative. “Much of the legislature’s time is devoted to state spending. My Millersville education helps me make better decisions regarding wisely spending the taxpayers’ money,” explains Fee. “During my whole time at MU, I worked as a waitress to earn the money to pay for a portion of my tuition. I was blessed to have my parents’ help, but I knew the onus was on me. I learned how to schedule my time, ensure I kept up with responsibilities, work hard, and take care of things independently without depending on lots of outside help. Those life lessons have helped me tremendously.”

JUSTIN C. FLEMING ‘02

State Representative Justin C. Fleming graduated from Millersville in 2002 with a communication major and a government minor. He says the combination has served him well.

“I was always interested in government, but I thought I’d be a broadcast journalist,” says Fleming. “I was the sports editor for the Snapper, anchor for MUTV and provided the color commentary for basketball and football games on WLPA.”

Fleming credits former professors like G. Terry Madonna and Berwood Yost (now at F&M) for providing a great political background. “I took a class with Bob Bookmiller about Middle East Affairs that has proved so helpful in understanding the current climate there.”

After 18 years in state government, through his roles as a lobbyist for social workers and as a mental health and child advocate, Fleming’s first elected position was with the Susquehanna Township Board of Commissioners. He served there from 2014-2022, when he ran for his current position as a state representative serving Dauphin County.

Fleming emphasizes the importance of registering students to vote: “For students who want to seek office, first get involved by registering to vote. Running is great, but live a life first; don’t rush it. Get into the workforce; it will help inform your policy-making.”

Justin Fleming is married to Lisa M. Fleming, also a Millersville alum from 2002 and a government major. “We got married a year before we graduated, and we both loved our time at Millersville,” says Fleming. “We were taught by full professors who had practical experience, not by teaching assistants.” Justin Fleming says the worst thing about being elected is the demand for his time. His wife is the Deputy Executive Director at the Senate of PA Appropriations Committee, so coordinating time together can be difficult.

Fleming says the most important thing he wants to convey is “Be involved in your community. Local government is as important as being in the state house. The local level is where taxes are set. School boards are all about tax policy. It frustrates me that more people vote in presidential elections, but other elections can have a greater impact on your life.”

“The best part about politics is the opportunity to help people,” says Fleming, “It supersedes politics. It doesn’t matter what party someone is registered with; if they need help, we will help them.”

JOYCE KING ’83

As a self-described “lifelong learner,” Joyce King believes in education. She graduated from MU in 1983 with a degree in biology, went on to earn a master’s degree in chemistry and worked in various roles at a pharmaceutical company for 35 years of her professional career. “I feel my education gave me a lifelong love of learning and the skills to learn about new topics,” she shares.

King has also worked closely with the University over the years. She’s the immediate past president of the Millersville Alumni Association, where she helped establish the operating structure and long-range planning for alumni engagement, including things like homecoming.

Continuing her dedication to education, King ran and was elected as a Quakertown Community School District Board of Directors member in 2011. “The general public thinks that school board directors are paid and don’t realize it is a volunteer position in all but a few Pennsylvania city districts,” says King. So, why did she run for this school board? “I wanted to run, as I saw many changes being made to the curriculum, scheduling, electives and more, with no firm plan for implementation.” She notes that at that time, the administration made changes to their math program while simultaneously switching from block scheduling to a seven-period day, which may have disrupted some students’ plans to enter senior-level math courses. “I knew they needed a better eye on planning. Using my process planning knowledge from my work life allowed me to help guide some of the implementation of change.”

Much of the work of local politics, says King, goes unnoticed, but that doesn’t make it unimportant. “I learned that a tremendous amount of behind-the-scenes work and negotiation goes on, and the general public lacks awareness. But learning about the PA State Department of Education, the relevant laws, and the PA School Board Association was quite eye-opening.”

JORDAN HARRIS ’06

Jordan Harris’s foray into politics began in high school when he became the president of his Student Government Association. The school administration of his college preparatory school wanted to close an annex building. Jordan and his peers disagreed and rallied support from a local politician who sided with their cause. “That’s when I met Senator Anthony H. Williams. He gave me an internship after that experience.”

This chance encounter inspired Harris: “I gained tremendous interest in politics because of that internship, and I made it my major.” At Millersville, Harris joined the Student Government Association, saying, “My education gave me a textbook understanding of politics. I didn’t interact with Republicans until I got to Millersville, where I met people with different political ideologies.”

Harris calls on all people, especially students, to participate in politics. “Politics are going to be involved in every facet of your life, whether you like it or not. If you’re a student at a State System school, how much you pay depends on the money we send from the state legislature. The tuition is set by the Board of Governors, who are all appointed by the governor,” he explains.

Professor of psychology Dr. Rita Smith-Wade-El, who passed away in 2018, influenced Harris. “I always talk about Rita and how much she meant to me,” he shares. “She was instrumental in helping me develop my critical thinking skills and embrace what it means to be young, gifted, and Black and to be proud of my heritage.” Harris also cites Dr. Richard Glenn, the department chairperson and government policy and law professor, as another important mentor. “He failed me twice in his constitutional law class,” he says with a smile. “It was one of the best experiences of my career. It taught me that I must put some studying and hard work behind those natural talents and gifts.”

Harris says he’s grateful for his time as a student and the people he met. “My experience at MU shaped who I am; I am a better person because of my time at the University.”

SCOTT MARTIN ’02

Many ’90s alumni might remember Scott Martin from his time on the field as a football player from 1990 to 1993 or on the wrestling team. This two-time All-American became a free agent camp signee of the New York Giants. He had three stints in the Arena Football League before returning to complete his degree at Millersville in 2002 in sociology/criminal justice with a minor in athletic coaching.

If you don’t know him from his remarkable football days, you might recognize him as a former University trustee from his role on the Board of Governors. Perhaps you may know him from his time as a Pennsylvania state senator, representing the citizens of Lancaster County in the 13th District, which might include you.

Martin says his days at Millersville were formative to his life and career. “The late, great college football Hall of Fame coach Dr. Gene Carpenter taught me, my teammates and the coaching staff what Marauder pride was all about,” he explains. “It was a brotherhood of respect, integrity and character in a disciplined system that was about more than football; it was a way of life that I cherish and carry with me to this day in every aspect of life.” He also cites his advisor, former department chair Dr. Mary Glazier, former MU vice president and current trustee Dr. Rich Frerichs as impactful presences in his life, both then and now.

Being a football team member also taught him a thing or two about work and collaboration that would come in handy in his later career. “A strong work ethic; the discipline to strategize, prepare and execute; and your ability to collaborate and work as a team are as essential in the workplace and your personal life as they are on the football field,” explains Martin.

Martin’s interest in politics began in his late 20s when he was frustrated by things he saw happening on the state and local levels. “I shared my feelings with a friend, who challenged me by saying, ‘What are YOU going to do about it?’” So, Martin ran for office at age 30 and said, “I’m a firm believer in treating all people with respect and approaching issues with a sense of purpose. I knew there had to be a better way that led to more prosperity for the people we serve.” He also encourages people of all ages to engage in politics. “We have been given an incredible system of governance, but it only works when good people who want to make a difference make a real effort to be involved.”

Representing Millersville in his career has been a highlight for Martin. “It is one of the greatest honors of my life to be able to represent my alma mater through my job in the Senate,” he says. “It not only allows me to apply the lessons I learned during my time there but also puts me in a position to ensure Millersville University can continue its outstanding mission to educate future generations of leaders.”

EMILY SNYDER ’10, ’16M

As an academic advisor at the University of Pittsburgh, Emily Snyder ’10, ’16M loves working with students to help them navigate their collegiate careers. Education has always been a large part of her life, and between her work as an advisor and her background in government and social work, Snyder also volunteers as a school board member of Keystone Oaks School District.

“School boards are distinctly different from many other elected offices because we function as a group of nine, or 10, including our superintendent,” Snyder says. “No one member has any individual legal authority, and school boards work on everything together, usually starting in committees.”

During her time at Millersville, Snyder earned her bachelor’s in government and political affairs, then earned her master’s in social work. She completed an internship with a congressional campaign during her senior year, which she mentions as her introduction to real work at the ground level. “It was eye-opening to see that there are many, many people from all different backgrounds and career paths involved in local politics,” she adds.

She was also heavily involved in Greek life as a proud sister of Alpha Xi Delta. “I have many wonderful memories of fundraising for Homecoming, participating in the annual Millersville parade, and reuniting with alumni to celebrate the day,” Snyder says. “I also met my future husband at a Greek life event!”

Her advice to students includes remembering that local political decisions often significantly impact an individual’s life more than what’s happening in Washington. “These are your community members, neighbors and friends who will benefit from your efforts,” she says.