Class of 2026
Congratulations to our PLS Graduates!
The Department of Political Science sends congratulations and very best wishes to all the undergrad and graduate degree recipients for 2026! You've come so far and done so much already - we can't wait to see what you achieve in the future!
Ava Adkins, Livonia Michigan
Major: Political Science Pre-Law major with a Law, Justice, and Public Policy minor as well as a Literature and Cultural Studies minor.
What has been your favorite part of being a Political Science student? I have enjoyed the amazing faculty in the Political Science Department, and the amount of versatile classes that are offered.
What are your future plans? I plan to attend law school this upcoming Fall, and eventually start my legal career working as a criminal defense attorney.
Would you like to thank any particular PLS faculty or staff who helped you on your journey? I would like to thank Professor Sapotichne and Professor O'Shea for creating a great learning environment and helping me throughout my law school application process!
Sydney Bair, Rockford MI
Major: Political Science-Prelaw
What has been your favorite part of being a Political Science student? Getting to participate in the Legal Internship Program!
What are your future plans? I'm taking a gap year to study for LSAT and apply to law schools while continuing to work at The Gallagher Law Firm as a paralegal.
Would you like to thank any particular PLS faculty or staff who helped you on your journey? I would like to thank Professor O'Shea for all that she has taught me both as a student and as an Undergraduate Learning Assistant. Additionally, I would like to thank her for connecting me with The Gallagher Law Firm through the Legal Internship Program. Another person I would like to thank is Krista Zeig. She has been my advisor throughout my time at MSU and has been extraordinarily helpful in guiding me through my undergraduate degree and connecting me with internal programs that have impacted my time here, like the Political Science Scholars Program.
Gabriel Brewer, Grand Ledge, MI
Major: Chemical Engineering & Political Science with a minor in Energy
What has been your favorite part of being a Political Science student? I have thoroughly enjoyed learning about the international monetary system.
What are your future plans? I will be starting a job as a process engineer at one of Marathon Petroleum's refineries after graduation.
Would you like to thank any particular PLS faculty or staff who helped you on your journey? I would like to thank Dr. Andrew Kerner. While many students are drawn to the social aspects of Political Science, he opened my eyes to the complexity and nuance of the international monetary system, the engine of American hegemony.
Pavithra Elavarasan Van Buren Township, MI
Major: Political Science Pre-Law and Criminal Justice with a minor in Law, Justice, and Public Policy
What has been your favorite part of being a Political Science student? My favorite part has been participating in the Michigan Government Semester Program because it allowed me to understand public service through a different lens than before. I'm grateful to have the opportunity to engage in a program that helped me learn practical skills such as policy memo writing that I've been able to apply in my current and previous internships!
What are your future plans? I plan to go to law school next year!
Would you like to thank any particular PLS faculty or staff who helped you on your journey? I want to thank Professor Marty Jordan for being a key figure in my political science studies. I'm grateful to have been a part of the Washington D.C. Study Away program the summer before my freshman year of college, where I was introduced to political science through an experiential lens. Professor Jordan was an incredible mentor and professor throughout this program, and it was wonderful getting to learn under him again in the Michigan Government Semester Program. Throughout both programs, Professor Jordan was incredibly helpful and made class engaging!
Sarah Fazlagic Louiseville, KY
Major: Political Science - PreLaw with minors in Business Law, Justice and Public Policy
What has been your favorite part of being a Political Science student? Getting to connect with people that want to pursue the same or similar career path! It's nice to go through it with peers and connect on things we are passionate about.
What are your future plans? I am taking a gap year and will be working for Orlans Real Estate firm this year with plans on attending law school next year!
Would you like to thank any particular PLS faculty or staff who helped you on your journey? I would like to thank Ryan Black, he was my professor when I was a ULA. I would also like to thank Kyle Williams. He was my student academic advisor and was very helpful with my schedule!
Olivia LaBrecque Howell, MI
Major: Political Science - PreLaw, Honors College, Resource Management, Individual, Family and Societal Perspective minor and Dance minor
What has been your favorite part of being a Political Science student? My favorite part of being a Political Science student has been the faculty and students I have met and the support we have both received given to each other. I am grateful for the experiences that have been offered to me through the program and the opportunities that have enabled me to grow in many different areas.
What are your future plans? To attend Law School.
Would you like to thank any particular PLS faculty or staff who helped you on your journey? All of my teachers were very helpful.
Celeste Moore Belding MI
Major: Political Science - PreLaw, with minor in Law, Justice and Public Policy
What are your future plans? I plan to attend law school and hope to one day open my own firm.
Would you like to thank any particular PLS faculty or staff who helped you on your journey? Judge Aquilina and Professor O'Shea