A national Catholic political activist, Stephen Schneck was appointed by President Biden in 2022 to serve on the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom. On June 3, 2024, he was unanimously elected to serve as the Commission’s Chair. He also serves on the governing boards for Catholics for the Future, Catholic Climate Covenant, and for Catholic Mobilizing Network.
Previously, Schneck was the founder and Director of the Institute for Policy Research & Catholic Studies at The Catholic University of America, in Washington, DC. A frequent media source for queries about Catholicism and contemporary public issues, he has offered commentary for most national print, radio, television, and online news sources. He writes regularly for the Catholic and religious media.
In 2020, Schneck was named as a National Co-Chair of Catholics for Biden, part of President Biden’s presidential campaign. He served similarly as a National Co-Chair of Catholics for Obama in the 2012 presidential campaign. From 2018-2020, Schneck was the Executive Director of Franciscan Action Network, a national organization promoting environmental, economic, and social justice for the Franciscan communities of the United States. In 2015, President Obama appointed Schneck to the White House Advisory Council for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. A political philosopher by training, Schneck received his doctorate from the University of Notre Dame.
At The Catholic University of America, he served for many years as a professor, department chair, and dean. His academic books and articles range in topic from political philosophy to public policy. For speaking engagements or media commentary, see the contact page of this website.
Born and raised in Iowa, Schneck now lives with his wife in Washington, DC.