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Matt Smyth
Director of Communications
 smyth@virginia.edu
In 2003 Matt Smyth began directing the Center for Politics' communications department, managing the day-to-day responsibilities of media relations and scheduling, as well as coordinating publicity for Center programs and events. In addition, Matt serves as a senior editor and writer for Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball, a political analysis web site created by Center director Larry Sabato. He also directs the Center's competitive internship program, coordinating applications and guiding the selection process that routinely places 30 to 40 students per year in positions that assist with all of the programs and initiatives at the Center.
Matt has appeared on CNN's Inside Politics to analyze the impact of changes in the Electoral College on the 2004 election, and has been a guest on the Mitch Albom Show, discussing campaign finance reform. In 2004, he served as the Crystal Ball's lead correspondent at the Democratic National Convention in Boston, providing twice-daily updates and analysis of events both inside and outside of the convention hall, and also covered portions of the Republican National Convention in New York City.
On election night 2004, Matt was WVIR NBC-29's contributing political analyst, and in 2006 he provided election night analysis for WCAV CBS-19. He has also appeared on WVAW ABC-16 and WAHU FOX-27, as well as WVPT's Virginia Tonight, and radio stations WINA, WRVA and WCHV. He has been quoted in stories on state and national politics by the Associated Press, the New York Daily News, the Orlando Sentinel and the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Matt has also managed two revisions of Center director Larry Sabato's best-selling American Government textbook, American Government: Continuity and Change, and contributed to the Encyclopedia of American Political Parties and Elections.
A 1998 graduate of the University of Virginia, with a degree in Foreign Affairs, Matt was a counselor for the University Judiciary Committee, served on the Intramural Advisory Council, and played on the club tennis team during his undergraduate years. After graduation, Matt was employed by the University in a variety of roles: first as assistant director for informal recreation with the Intramural-Recreational Sports Department and more recently with Conference Services as program director for external services, before joining the Center for Politics in October 2001.
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Copyright © 2006 U.Va. Center for Politics. All rights reserved.
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