It’s no secret that Temple alumni play a big role in powering Philadelphia, with 1 in 7 college graduates in the region holding a Temple degree. In this politically charged time, governmental Owls about the city are organizing debates, performing millennial outreach and creating their own companies—and those were just their side gigs.

Billy Penn’s roundup “Who’s Next in Politics: 19 young people making a difference in Philly,”  notes five Temple alumni for their political prowess.

Wade Albert, CLA ’04, LAW ’07
An attorney at Sobol & Sobol, P.C. by day and political activist by night, Wade Albert lends his time and expertise in various ways, including providing pro bono services at LGBTQIA law clinics, serving on the boards of the Center City Residents’ Association and the Liberty City LGBT Democratic Club and fundraising for past Democratic candidates, including Katie McGinty during her 2015 run for a U.S. Senate seat and attorney general-elect Josh Shapiro. Albert—who holds a bachelor’s from Temple in Greek and Roman classics and political science in addition to his Temple law degree—has also volunteered at the legal clinic at the Trans Health Conference in Philadelphia and served as a legal election observer in the Hillary Clinton campaign Voter Protection Program.

Darin Bartholomew, FOX ’14, ’17
Following a college career of impressive extracurriculars, including serving as the 2013–2014 Temple student body president and as chair of the Pennsylvania Federation of College Republicans, Darin Bartholomew now serves as executive chairman of the Republican Party in Philadelphia’s 5th Ward. Part of his duties in that role include working to attract millennials to the Republican vote. In between his work for his master’s in Information Technology Auditing and Cybersecurity at the Fox School, he also serves as a board member of Philly Set Go, a political action committee geared toward millennials, and as treasurer for the Philadelphia Federation of Young Republicans.

Kyle Darby, CLA ’19
Between working toward his master’s in public policy and his job as city relations research director at lobbying firm S.R. Wojdak and Associates, Kyle Darby still finds time to mentor youth through the My Brother’s Keeper organization, and carry out responsibilities as the founder of his own company, Nxt Generation Strategy Group. Formerly, he served as executive vice president of the College Democrats of New Jersey, an intern and constituent advocate for U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, and a deputy field organizer for the Camden County and Gloucester County Democrats.

Elliot Griffin, SMC ’12, LAW ’18
Elliot Griffin is yet another Temple alumni who returned to pursue another degree while immersing herself in Philly politics. Griffin is pursuing a law degree at Beasley while working as an associate at Ceisler Media, a media relations and issue advocacy firm. She also serves as a board member with Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence Region, a youth mentorship organization. As an undergraduate journalism major, held the position of vice president of external affairs for Temple Student Government and as executive director of the Pennsylvania Association of State-Related Students.

Philip Innamorato, CLA ’10
Philip Innamorato can be found throughout the Philadelphia region working in his role as a field representative for U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey. Before his turn in Toomey’s camp, he served as a constituent service aide for Philadelphia City Council. Innamorato, who holds a degree in political science from Temple, also keeps busy as chair of the Philadelphia Federation of Young Republicans and as a board member on the St. Katherine of Siena Parish School Board.

—Hayley Chenoweth