Class of 2025

Major: Public Policy Minor: Law, Justice and Public Policy Favorite part of PLS: Being able to study abroad Future Plans: To enjoy life to the fullest Thank you: Counselor Krista Zeig. She’s always replying back to my emails and providing me with every answer I needed. Class of 2025

Major: Political Science Pre-Law Minor: Leadership of Organizations Favorite part of PLS: I love the resources they provide for me to further my political/legal education Future Plans: To attend law school and become a corporate lawyer Thank you: Krista Zeig is an amazing counselor. She responds quickly and is very helpful! Class of 2025

Major: Political Science Minor: Social Science Quantitative Data Analytics Favorite part of PLS:Being a policy fellow and research assistant at the Institute for Public Policy and Social Research Future Plans: In the fall, I will be starting my Ph.D. in Political Science at the University of Virginia. I will study American politics, quantitative research methods, and public policy. My graduate research will be about sexual and reproductive health policy diffusion. Thank you: Dr. Matt Grossmann (PLS Scholar Advisor, Research Mentor) Class of 2025

Major: Political Science Minor: Asian Studies Favorite Part of PLS: My favorite part of being a Political Science student has been exploring the dynamics of elections and how gender influences political participation and representation. I’ve enjoyed learning how identities and institutions interact to shape outcomes in democracy. Future Plans: After graduation, I intend to gain more professional experience. In the distant future, I may also consider going to grad school. Thank You: I'd like to thank the Department of Political Science advisors for their support over the years! Class of 2025

Major: Political Science—PreLaw Minors: Law, Justice, and Public Policy; Leadership of Organizations Favorite part of PLS: Challenging my own beliefs Future Plans: Figuring it out Class of 2025

Major: Political Science Minors: Law, Justice, & Public Policy ; Peace and Justice Studies Favorite part of PLS: Meeting my best friends and partner on a PLS Study Abroad in London Future Plans: I plan to continue my work in the Michigan Legislature while working toward a Master of Public Policy at Michigan State. Thank you: I would like to thank Dr. Eric Montgomery of the Anthropology department for opening my eyes and showing me how education can make a real difference beyond the classroom, that social movements and activists have the power to change entire systems of oppression. I would like to thank Dr. Michael Wahman for taking myself and other political science students across the world to study in London and giving us the opportunity to explore a whole new culture and society. I would like to thank Dr. Andrew Kerner for providing some of the most interesting and engaging political science seminars which explore all the intricate ways politics is tied to economics. I would like to thank Dr. Marty Jordan for providing students with the most significant program in the College of Social Science, the Michigan Government Semester Program, and for being a mentor as I venture into my professional career. And to all the other PLS professors who shaped my journey as a transfer student coming in with no real idea what I wanted to do; Dr. Frantz, Dr. Smidt, Dr. Rodriguez, Dr. Sarkissian, Dr. Esquith and so many more, thank you. Class of 2025

Major: Political Science Minor: Environmental Social Science Favorite Part of PLS: Being around so many bright, motivated students with a passion for studying governance and politics. Their energy has inspired me to reach for the stars as an aspiring public servant -- I'm glad to call a number of fellow PLS students friends of mine <3. Future Plans: Working in public service in a non-profit or local government Thank You: I would like to thank Andrew Kerner, Sarah Reckhow, Marty Jordan, Michael Wahman and Jeffrey Conroy-Krutz for helping me academically and professionally during my undergraduate years, Dr. Erica Frantz and Krista Zeig for supporting me and my fellow PLS Scholars, Karessa Weir & Poli Sci Communications for writing really really nice stories about me, and Rhonda Burns for helping with research and ULA stipends! Class of 2025

Major: Political Science Pre-Law Minors: Law, Justice, & Public Policy + Peace & Justice Studies Favorite part of PLS: Having the opportunity to serve on the MI Secretary of State's "Collegiate Student Advisory Task Force"; this helped increase student voter engagement across Michigan colleges during the 2024 election, and provide a legislative report filled with recommendations expanding student voting rights. I met Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, attended voter-engagement conferences, and got students who were previously uninterested in politics cherishing their privileged right to vote. It felt rewarding helping so many students on MSU's campus, and across Michigan. Future Plans: I plan to take a gap year to study for the LSAT and apply to law schools. I aspire to attend law school either at the University of Michigan or Wayne State University. I plan to enroll during the Fall 2026 semester. Thank you: The Peace & Justice Studies faculty have broadened my conceptual horizons through the coursework thematics. Learning more about political violence, human rights law, and institutional injustices gave me a space to bloom my peacebuilding passions while also learning from others to expand my knowledge of global politics. Class of 2024

Major: Political Science Minors: Leadership of organizations, Business Favorite part of PLS: Learning about bureaucracy Thank you: I would like to thank Professor Joshua Sapotichne for teaching me Public Administration and Policy Making as well as American Public Policy. He by far offered me the most comprehensive education and to that I am grateful. Class of 2025

Major: Political Science Pre-Law(BA) & Economics(BA) Minor: Law, Justice, and Public Policy Favorite part of PLS: The internship and networking opportunities, my advisors, and the PLS scholars program Future Plans: I will enter an internship with Greenlink Education during my gap year while I study for the LSAT. I plan to attend law school in 2026 and specialize in environmental law and litigation for land use, biodiversity, and water policy. I hope to one day work with a nonprofit law firm or a governmental agency to defend natural resources in Michigan. Thank You: I would like to thank Melissa O'Shea, who has been an inspiration and a challenging professor. Without the three classes that I have taken with her, I would not be where I am today. Class of 2025

Major: Political Science Minor: Chinese as a second language and Peace and Justice Studies Favorite part of PLS: Meeting such amazing faculty who are very passionate about their fields and ensuring students understand the changing political world. Future plans: Attending Cornell University for a master program and my plan is to become a delegate at the United Nations Thank You: Professor Marty Jordan Class of 2025

Major: Marketing and Political Science Pre Law Minor: Law Justice and Public Policy Future plans: To get my masters in Marketing Research and Marketing Analytics followed by Law School down the line Class of 2025