Distinguished Alumni Award Winner Profile

Seung Min Kim (07BS) is an acclaimed national politics reporter in Washington, D.C., who also mentors and inspires journalism and political science students at the University of Iowa.

A White House reporter for The Washington Post, Kim covers President Joe Biden's administration, focusing on its legislative agenda and interactions with Capitol Hill. She previously covered the Donald Trump administration and worked for eight years at Politico, a political journalism media company, where she focused on the Senate and immigration policy.

An on-air political analyst for CNN, Kim has served as a guest for the National Press Club and appeared on several national television programs, including Face the Nation and Washington Week. She was recognized by the National Journal as one of 50 people changing the game in Washington and is an active member of the Asian American Journalists Association and Washington Press Club Foundation.

The Iowa City native deepened her interest in politics as an editor and reporter for The Daily Iowan, where she covered the 2004 caucuses. Kim majored in journalism and political science at Iowa and returns to advise students and speak on alumni panels about her experiences. She also serves on the university's Political Science Department Advisory Board, providing guidance to best serve the department's students.

Says Brian Lai, associate professor and chair of the UI Department of Political Science: "Kim's work has provided a vital service to the people of this country, and she has been a model alum with her willingness to engage our students."