{Alexis Simendinger}

Alexis Simendinger, a native of Washington, D.C., arrived at New College a year after the controversial merger with the University of South Florida and graduated with a degree in humanities in 1981, followed in 1983 with a master’s in journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia. During her New College years, she earned extra money as an office assistant with the New College Foundation under former President Rolland Heiser, and later maintained her ties to campus by joining the NCAA board, followed by the Foundation board and later the New College Board of Trustees, appointed by the governor. In 2007, Alexis continues her support as an out-of-state Foundation trustee.

As a novo collegian, Alexis introduced her brother Kent Simendinger to the New College campus. More disciplined than his oldest sister, he finished his degree requirements in three years and joined her in the 1981 graduation ceremony, saving their grateful mother an extra trip down I-95. Kent, an executive with PPL Corporation, is married to New College graduate Elizabeth McCain, a professor at Pennsylvania’s Muhlenberg College. They live in Laurys Station, Pa., with their two daughters.

Following graduate school and three years as a newspaper reporter with The Tampa Tribune in Tampa, Fla., Alexis returned to Washington in 1986, where she has enjoyed two newsy decades as a journalist. She became a White House correspondent in 1992, beginning with George H.W. Bush’s final year in office, and she continued covering 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue for the entirety of the tumultuous Clinton years, and through George W. Bush’s sixth year in office. She is now national correspondent for National Journal, an influential magazine of policy and politics she joined in 1997.

Alexis has discussed her reporting about the Bush presidency, the White House, and national politics on numerous broadcast outlets over the years, and has appeared as a guest and guest-host on PBS’ Washington Week program.