Rooted in blue and gold: From Political Science classmates to lifelong partners at Cal

September 4, 2025

By Jessica Park

In October 2005, UC Berkeley Political Science alumni Mike and Laura Taylor met at a study night between their fraternity and sorority. Neither could have guessed that the evening would mark the start of something much more. More than a decade later, in 2016, the two were married at the campus Faculty Club.

Laura arrived at Cal and was astonished by the intensity of support and encouragement on campus. Mike joined as a third-generation Cal student, growing up in San José. As proud alumni, they cheer at football games, mentor students through multiple student-led organizations and celebrate wedding anniversaries at the Faculty Club.

Both credit the Political Science Department as a major influence on their careers. Through their classes, they learned about coalition building, effective communication and what motivates people. Today, Mike leads the San Francisco office for the global PR firm Weber Shandwick, while Laura is the Account Management Team lead for the AI software engineering company QASource.

The two remain deeply involved with the Cal community. Through the Cal Alumni Student Association (CASA), they help students prepare for fulfilling careers, building networks and internship opportunities. Mike also guest lectures on media relations on campus.

The Taylors spoke recently to Berkeley Social Sciences about how they met; the Political Science Department’s impact on their careers; and how they continue to give back to Cal. This interview has been edited for clarity.

Can you tell us about your journey to Cal and why you chose political science?

Mike Taylor: All I knew was going to Berkeley, growing up in the Bay Area. I'm a third-generation Cal student. My great uncle went to Cal back in the 50s; my parents went to Cal; and my sister was already going to Cal when I got there. I was always very interested in politics, government and communications. Majoring in political science was a no brainer for me because I was super interested in how leaders build coalitions and communicate with their audiences. I also minored in Spanish.

At first, I was very interested in political science because I wanted to pursue a career in politics and government, which I did for a while. I worked on campaigns and in the California State Assembly in Sacramento as a speechwriter. But I found that a political science degree was very transferable to the private sector working in public relations, where I've been for over 15 years.

Laura Taylor: I felt right at home right away at Cal. I joined Alpha Chi Omega, and that held me in my net. I knew going into Cal that I wanted to be an English major. As I went through the English Department, I quickly realized that I was super interested in politics, global policy, war and pre- and post-Soviet Russia. After a few Poli Sci courses, it was clear that I could do a double major in political science and English with overlapping classes already part of my interests. And, I had time to take graduate-level courses too, as an undergrad, with the encouragement of my political science professors. I use what I learned in political science at Cal in my daily job. It's a great department to major in because it teaches you to be a strong communicator and to delineate and effectively communicate really tough concepts into simple facts.

Twenty years ago, you two met at a Greek event. Can you tell us about that story?

Mike Taylor: I was in Theta Chi. In my senior year, I became the vice president of my house and was in charge of reaching out to sororities for different events and exchanges. I was interested in doing something with Laura’s house, so I reached out to a mutual friend of ours through Poli Sci, who was in her sorority house. We did a study night at Laura's house on a weeknight. That’s when I met Laura and formed a relationship far beyond studying together. So that was way back in 2005 — the 20th anniversary of this study night will be in October of this year!

Laura Taylor: Mike’s fraternity came over and at the time, I was vice president of intellectual development of Alpha Chi Omega. My job was to keep our GPA up. When I was in that role, our GPA was number two or three. Almost a decade later, we got married at the Faculty Club on June 25, 2016. We like to go back there for breakfast on our anniversary. They make our time so special and take such good care of us. It’s become one of our traditions.

Besides Greek life, were there any clubs, classes or professors that really stood out to you?

Laura Taylor: One of the classes that stood out was Revolutionary Change, taught by the late Political Science Professor A. James Gregor. He was amazing, absolutely brilliant and so engaging. In that class, Mike and I met some of our very close friends who were at our wedding.

Honestly, every Berkeley professor has a mission to really get their message across in a meaningful way. Twenty years ago, I had a history of war class professor, who brought in a giant stake. The graduate student instructors (GSIs) and teaching assistants (TAs) were so accessible, passionate and amazing. I really encourage students to take advantage of office hours at every level, TA, GSI and professor. It's a really special way to connect and that is where future connections and opportunities lie for your future.

Mike Taylor: The most impactful class I had was American Politics: Campaign Strategy - Media, taught by Political Science Lecturer Dan Schnur. It was a perfect mix of tangible skills that you could use on the job, such as communications. I’m still in touch with Dan, who has been a mentor of mine for 20 years. He sends students to me for career advice. I met one of my best friends just recently because he's someone else Dan mentored, and it also inspired me to start guest lecturing this past year both at Berkeley — and even at USC!

As political science grads, what's something unexpected or underrated about having a political science degree in your current career?

Laura Taylor: When I was studying political science, my focus was on the history of war and post-Soviet Russia. A lot of that entailed understanding the motivations behind major leaders and coalitions, why world events collide and understanding what makes the world tick. When you're in the workforce, you have to be an effective communicator on the ground and understand why things change and what motivates people.

I use these skills daily as team lead of Account Management for QASource, an AI software engineering company. Working in tech may seem like a pivot for someone like me holding political science and English degrees if you are currently a Cal student. But, look at it this way, political science pushes you to think critically and question things. Political science makes you ask, “well this happened, but why?” This is the essence of Quality Assurance, or QA. I think this level of constant critical thinking is what takes Cal students to the next level.

Mike Taylor: A political science degree is a “Swiss Army Knife” that allows you to operate in a company. If you have a political science degree, you're going to be a good writer, a good communicator and understand the concept of coalition building. Those are all really important skills to be able to present ideas in the workplace, to be able to pitch new clients or existing clients and to be able to work well with your peers. A degree in political science teaches you those hard skills to operate as a productive team member — and probably because you went to Cal — being the leader of the team. Now, I've had the opportunity to lead the San Francisco office for the global PR firm, Weber Shandwick. You can go a number of different ways with a political science degree.

Since graduating, how have you two given back to Berkeley?

Mike Taylor: Berkeley has such an amazing effect on people, and the ability to engage and give back as an alum is incredible. Just recently, I was at Caffé Strada meeting with a professor, mapping out my guest lecture in September. I got the opportunity to guest lecture on media relations this past semester in his class. My firm got hired by the University when Cal was moving from the Pac-12 to the ACC, and I had the opportunity to work with the UC Berkeley Communications & Public Affairs team, former Chancellor Carol Christ and former Athletic Director Jim Knowlton. More recently, in the last few months, I was doing a project at the Lawrence Hall of Science on communications and marketing. As a Cal mentor, I always tell students to be relentless in showing up at networking events or even on LinkedIn, where there's a job that you want to be doing. Be proud, be proactive, work it, and good things will happen.

Laura Taylor: We’re both very active across multiple student organizations with Greek life and others. I have spent the last 18 years mentoring undergrads with career advice and vision boarding. A lot of the students and new grads that I have spoken with tend to be very concerned about their future and how they're going to get a job. I always reassure my mentees that having a degree from Cal opens up any door. I initially wanted to be a magazine editor, but now I’m at the forefront of AI. You might find that you actually might fit better in a space that is not a direct correlation to your major, and that’s okay! Do not fear taking up new opportunities and connecting with Cal alumni. There are always ways to gain experience.

Topics

Alumni topic page, Social Sciences topic page

Mike and Laura at a Cal football game in the 2000s

Mike and Laura at a Cal football game in recent times

A political science degree is a 'Swiss Army Knife' that allows you to operate in a company. If you have a political science degree, you're going to be a good writer, a good communicator and understand the concept of coalition building.

Mike Taylor

Mike and Laura got married at the Faculty Club in 2016

Laura at Memorial Stadium