Alice Stewart, a Republican political adviser and CNN commentator who was greatest recognized at Harvard for her dedication to undergraduate college students as a member of the Institute of Politics Senior Advisory Committee, died early Saturday morning. She was 58.
Legislation enforcement officers mentioned Stewart’s physique was discovered open air in Virginia’s Bellevue neighborhood and that they believed a medical emergency had prompted her dying, based on CNN.
Stewart, who was an Emmy Award successful journalist, joined the IOP’s SAC in 2021, after beforehand serving as an IOP resident fellow for 2 semesters.
Stewart was born on March 11, 1966, in Atlanta and graduated from the College of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism.
Harvard Kennedy College Dean Douglas W. Elmendorf, IOP Director Setti D. Warren, and IOP SAC Chair Michael Nutter wrote in a joint assertion that Stewart was “a loyal supporter and a beautiful guiding affect.”
“As a member of the committee, she was all the time engaged and enthusiastic, and he or she offered constantly beneficial recommendation to strengthen the IOP in serving Harvard School college students involved in politics and public service,” they wrote.
IOP President Pratyush Mallick ’25 mentioned in an interview that Stewart’s dying was “extremely saddening” and praised her longtime dedication for the IOP and its scholar members.
“Above all, she was extremely welcoming and able to assist college students at any type of second’s discover,” Mallick mentioned. “Her loss is extremely saddening.”
Stewart began her profession as an area reporter in Georgia, earlier than serving because the communications director for the Republican presidential campaigns of former Arkansas Governor Mike D. Huckabee, Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), former Senator Rick J. Santorum, and former Rep. Michele M. Bachmann.
Mallick mentioned Stewart helped invite many GOP members to IOP occasions and mentioned that the group had hoped she might assist introduce extra Republican voices to the IOP’s programming sooner or later.
“She was an enormous asset for us in ensuring that Republican members of Congress had been conscious and prepared to come back to the sorts of programming and occasions that we did,” Mallick mentioned.
IOP Treasurer Saba Mehrzad ’25 recalled how Stewart labored arduous to not let her obligations as an commentator for CNN divert her consideration from IOP college students.
When Stewart as soon as acquired a request to do a TV hit throughout a scheduled discuss with the IOP’s Ladies’s Initiative and Management Group, she didn’t cancel the occasion. As a substitute, Mehrzad mentioned, Stewart gave recommendation to college students who signed up for the occasion, earlier than she allowed them to observe on as she taped for a stay section on CNN.
“I simply keep in mind, to start with, how cool it was to observe somebody be on TV stay from the identical room,” Mehrzad mentioned. “That’s the most important factor that also stands proud to me — her willingness to include the IOP and incorporate college students as a lot as she probably might.”
A number of former leaders of the IOP praised Stewart’s continuous mentorship, even after their involvement with the IOP had concluded.
Victor E. Flores ’23-’25 and Nadia R. Douglas ’23-’24, who beforehand served collectively because the co-chairs of the IOP Fellows and Research Group Program in 2021, wrote in a joint assertion that “her affect and dedication” formed their very own paths at Harvard.
“Whereas we differed politically, her willingness to interact in troublesome conversations served to encourage us and our fellow liaisons to proceed our advocacy throughout political traces,” the 2 wrote.
A number of present and former IOP college students described Stewart as somebody who shortly turned a private mentor.
IOP Vice President Ethan C. Kelly ’25 mentioned Stewart was “anyone I’ve seemed to for recommendation and for steering.”
“I’m in a state of shock and in addition simply unhappiness,” Kelly mentioned.
Carine M. Hajjar ’21, who served in IOP management whereas Stewart was a fellow, mentioned their relationship lasted after her commencement from Harvard..
“She was all the time there to reply a textual content, or to present me recommendation on a job concept or any kind of prospect, and has actually been cheering me on,” Hajjar mentioned.
“She’s been considered one of my best mentors,” Hajjar mentioned.
—Employees author William C. Mao could be reached at [email protected]. Observe him on X @williamcmao.
—Employees author Dhruv T. Patel could be reached at [email protected]. Observe him on X @dhruvtkpatel.