A 23-year-old alumnus who walked the graduation stage last year will lead religious outreach for President Barack Obama’s re-election campaign starting next week.

Michael Wear, who earned his bachelor’s degree in political science last year, was named Faith Vote director and will join the Obama campaign in Chicago, Religion News Service reported Monday.

An assistant in the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships, he started out as an intern for Obama’s 2008 election efforts.

In his new role, the Buffalo, N.Y. native will try to rally religious voters to support a president who riled many with his announcement last week in support of gay marriage. The New York Times reported Monday that some of the religious leaders that Obama calls on for guidance may not support the president because of his pro-gay marriage stance.