Steffen W. Schmidt

Steffen Schmidt earned a PhD in Public Law and Government from Columbia University, New York. He is a founding and sustaining member of LULAC Council 307 in Iowa, one of the oldest Hispanic community and leadership organizations. He also served as the Chair of the Iowa Governor's Spanish Speaking Commission (later renamed Dept. of Latino Affairs.) He was born and grew up in Cali, Colombia.

He is the author of 10 books including two on identity theft. Co-author of American Government and Politics Today: 19th Edition. Author of many articles and columns on Latin America, US issues, Cyber threats, the politics of Disruption (keynote), and women in politics. Frequent politics commentator of American and international media. Recipient of the Iowa Governor's Volunteer Award for work with the Latino community and former chair of the Iowa Governor's Spanish Speaking Commission (Department of Latino Affairs.)