Political expert, father of four completes long-awaited chapter with WSU degree
OGDEN, Utah — Adam Gardiner knows what it means to never give up.
The Weber State University graduate is a lobbyist and president of ASG Consulting, a full-service government relations firm in Utah. Gardiner works with well-known clients like Utah Transit Authority, Intermountain Health, and local cities.
As a dad to four boys — Jaxon, 12; Mason, 10; Gavin, 5; and Ian, 3 — and partner to his wife, Katie, he’s reevaluated his priorities several times while balancing a career, family, and education.
“I resigned myself to never getting my degree, that it was not an option for me, and I was OK with that,” Gardiner said. “I put it out of my mind for years.”
Gardiner served as a state representative, Salt Lake County recorder, and state director for Sen. Mitt Romney. He also managed Rob Bishop's successful 2010 congressional campaign in Washington D.C. — all before earning a college degree.
His introduction to politics began early. After graduating from Layton High School and completing a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Gardiner enrolled at WSU in 2009 to study political science and international studies.
Political science professor Leah Murray, now director of the Olene S. Walker Institute of Politics & Public Service, connected him to an internship with the Utah State Legislature.
“I loved it,” Gardiner said.
That internship helped him discover his passion for politics. Murray said it also helped shape the vision of what the Walker Institute does today, which includes regularly placing students in internships at the local, state, and national levels to gain valuable insight into public service and the political system.
During the 2025-26 academic year, 28 WSU students had political internships through the Walker Institute, and 10 worked during the spring legislative session.
“Working in government or politics is not a career that is obvious to most; when you ask a third grader what they want to be when they grow up, they never say, ‘I want to be an elections official,’” Murray said. “Internships open up the broad landscape of working in politics and public service by showing students careers they did not even know existed.”
While Gardiner’s career was taking off, it became challenging to balance work and a growing family. He took a break, re-enrolled, then dropped out a second time.
In 2016, Gardiner was elected as a member of the House of Representatives for West Jordan District 43, making him the youngest member of the Utah State Legislature at the time. Within three years, he became the state director for Romney, managing government affairs and constituents across Utah.
Though he was in the midst of a successful career, he had a “nagging feeling” of wanting to complete his degree. Murray helped show him it was possible.
“Her exact words were, ‘Dude, we got to get you graduated,’” Gardiner said, smiling.
Murray and other WSU employees developed a plan for him to graduate in a year and three semesters. Gardiner took 18 credits per semester and finished ahead of the timeline, all while working through a busy legislative session and balancing fatherhood.
“I have to credit my professors, especially that last semester, who understood what my career was and understood how hard it was for me to finish,” Gardiner said. “They gave me a flexible timeline for turning things in. That was really hard, but really fulfilling.”
Gardiner returned to school shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic. While some political science courses moved online out of necessity, WSU has since created multiple online pathways. There are over 25 online degree and certificate programs as well as other credentials with limited in-person requirements.
“I think Adam’s story is a great example of why this flexibility matters,” says Stephanie Wolfe, Department of Political Science & Philosophy interim chair. “Online courses can make a real difference for students who are committed to finishing their degrees, but need options that fit around work, family, or other obligations. Political Science has tried to preserve that flexibility while still offering strong in-person options for students who prefer that format.”
In spring 2026, Gardiner graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science and a minor in international studies.
For students like him who have families or careers, Gardiner’s advice is not to give up: “Just set the goal and keep working at it.”
In the fall, Gardiner will attend the University of Utah to get a Master of Public Administration.
“A really proud moment is that my four kids saw me doing this,” Gardiner said. “They saw me doing homework, they saw me working at it, and they saw me graduate. So was that worth it? Yup.”
Alexis Cirkovic, News Coordinator
801-626-7362, alexiscirkovic@weber.edu- Contact:
Alexis Cirkovic, News Coordinator
801-626-7362, alexiscirkovic@weber.edu