District 4 Councilman Tom Simplot announced that Megan Schmitz has joined his staff as a council aide.

Schmitz, a native of Cleveland, previously worked as a public policy intern with Planned Parenthood of Greater Cleveland and recently moved to Phoenix. She is a graduate of Ohio State University, where she developed a passion for politics and activism. As a double major in women's studies and political science, her university studies focused on the politics of gender, race and sexual orientation. At OSU, she received the Women’s Studies Undergraduate Writing Award in 2002 and also made the dean’s list twice.

Simplot praised Schmitz’s enthusiasm and interest in working closely with the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) community.

“Megan will be a great addition to my staff,” Simplot said. “She brings a new perspective to the office and a passion for GLBT issues.”

Schmitz will work on a variety of neighborhood issues, staff the Crystal Meth Task Force and assist with Web site management. She replaces Matthew Heil, who is the Phoenix Symphony's new public relations and marketing manager.