Fall 2024 Fellow
Carissa Joy Smith is an award-winning strategist in politics, government relations, and public engagement. Carissa currently serves as the Vice President of Government Relations for FOX Corporation, and has demonstrated a commitment to fostering transformational policy, outreach, and community engagement throughout her career.
Carissa was the Senior Advisor of Public Engagement for Women and Girls and Health in the White House under President Biden. In this critical role, she played a key part in advancing the cause of gender and health equity both nationally and internationally. Notably, Carissa was a part of the team that spearheaded the formulation of the groundbreaking National Gender Equality Strategy, the first-ever of its kind to be published.
Previously, during the 2020 election, she served as the National Women’s Vote Director for the Biden campaign. Carissa’s strategic vision contributed to shaping and mobilizing the women’s vote, a pivotal factor in securing victory.
Carissa has also worked for Congresswoman Joyce Beatty, the Ohio Democratic Party, and the House Majority Oversight Committee under Chairman Elijah Cummings.
Carissa is an alumna of American University’s We Lead Institute and the Congressional Black Caucus Institute, both renowned for nurturing and empowering policy leaders. She completed her undergraduate study at Bowie State University, Maryland’s oldest historically Black college. She has been honored as a U.S. Black Chamber of Commerce Power 50 Women honoree, a California Black Women’s Collective Hall of Fame Trailblazer the HBCU Buzz’s 30 under 30 award winner, and a Multichannel News Next TV 40 Under 40 Media Executive. Given her interest in global diplomacy, Carissa Smith was selected as an Aspen Institute 2023 National Security Forum Rising Leader.
Study Group- Gen Z to Gen Alpha: Engaging Young Voters in Democracy
Forty-one million members of Gen Z can vote this fall, and Gen Alpha will officially be able to vote in the 2028 election, creating the potential for a major impact on our electorate nationwide. This study group explored current trends showing that Gen Z and Gen Alpha are heavily involved in the latest political and social movements both nationally and worldwide. Each week, we examined how organizing, coalition-building, and outreach for young voters played a role in previous elections. We aimed to understand the strategies and motivations driving younger voter engagement and their potential influence on future elections. Through guest speakers and interactive discussions, participants gained insights into the dynamics of youth activism and its transformative impact on the political landscape.
Fall 2024 Semester Recap
Carissa Smith said this about her experience at USC’s Center for the Political Future: “My experience as a CPF Fellow was immensely rewarding, both personally and professionally. I gained a deeper appreciation for the complexities of engaging with students on critical political and policy issues. The role pushed me to refine my ability to translate complex ideas into accessible concepts, helping students navigate the nuances of governance, policymaking, and civic engagement. This process enhanced my teaching and communication skills, which I know will serve me well in future endeavors. One of the most valuable aspects of the fellowship was the opportunity to bridge theory and practice. My favorite part of being a Fellow was the interaction with students. Watching them grow, ask insightful questions, and develop a passion for political engagement was deeply fulfilling. I loved mentoring students and witnessing those ‘aha’ moments when introspective dialogue took place. The sense of community fostered within the classroom and at CPF was unparalleled, making this semester a truly transformative experience.”
USC students in Carissa’s study group shared this about their experience:
“This study group taught me that engaging young voters, and voters in general, is less about persuading them and more about meeting them, us, where they are—digitally, culturally, and socially. I learned how social media influencers, grassroots organizers, and ballot measures can create ripples in youth activism. One key takeaway is that mobilizing Gen Z and Gen Alpha isn’t just about elections—it’s about empowering them to see democracy as theirs to shape.”
Ezekiel Buenaventura, Public Policy
“The Fellows Program was an amazing part of my semester and gave me an opportunity to interact with Carissa and the speakers she brought in—closer than I ever thought I could be to influential political figures. Her in-class activities brought our diverse voices together and allowed us to understand engagement and voting strategies from both parties. I loved attending this study group each week and learning about what youth engagement meant in the past and how strategies being employed today are affecting the political landscape now and into future elections.”
Alyssa Tinoco, Political Science
Carissa shared her thoughts on the importance of politics, her first political experience, her advice for having respectful political discourse, and what she appreciates about CPF in her “Quick Takes: Q&A with CPF Fellow Carissa Smith” video.