PLS Scholar Spotlight: Lily Dixon

March 2, 2026

MSU Political Science Scholar Spotlight shines on Lily Dixon, a Public Policy student who has recently been named a finalist for the Truman Scholarship.

What first interested you in Political Science?

My interest in political science is in both the political side and policy. I worked on a congressional campaign in the 2024 election cycle, serving as the deputy field director for the entire Upper Peninsula of Michigan, organizing across one of the largest and most rural congressional districts in the country. I was inspired by my candidate, Callie Barr, and loved the work being rooted in community and conversation. Currently, I am working for U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin as a state intern, learning about the official side of politics through outreach work, casework, and communications.

From a policy perspective, my interests in political science stem from my volunteer work and research in juvenile justice. With support from the Residential College in the Arts and Humanities, and Dr. David McCarthy, I established Creative Collaboration with Incarcerated Youth (CCIY), the first MSU student organization dedicated to arts and education in detention facilities, where we do weekly trips to the local youth detention center. I also am a research assistant under Dr. Caitlin Cavanagh on the Juvenile Risk Assessment Team, working at the Lansing Courthouse to compile and collect data on juvenile risk, needs, and recidivism outcomes in Ingham County.

How has your experience as a PLS student been so far?

I am relatively new to the department, having added a degree in Public Policy in addition to my Arts and Humanities degree near the end of my sophomore semester. I have greatly appreciated all the support from the PLS faculty and advisors, particularly Dr. Jordan, Dr. Juenke, Dr. Wolak, and Ms. Zeig. There are so many opportunities as a PLS student, the proximity to the Capitol, all the different guests that come to campus, and all the educational opportunities available on campus and abroad.

MSU PLS Department has incredible programs for their students. I am in the Michigan Government Semester Program (MGSP), a rigorous, but extremely rewarding program where you spend a semester interning and taking classes downtown, across from Michigan’s Capitol, and meeting with changemakers from across the region. I am part of the Political Science Scholars Program, where I get unique opportunities to better enhance my undergraduate career. I am also going abroad at the end of this semester as part of the College of Social Science’s Community Engagement in Puerto Rico program!

What is your favorite professor/course/experience so far?

My favorite completed political science class thus far has been my PLS 392 - Political Psychology with Dr. Wolak. I loved learning about the intersection of political opinion and behavior mixed with psychology. Dr. Wolak never failed to make the content interesting and the concepts helped me understand the role of psychology in the dynamics I observe in my political activities.

Although I have not completed MGSP yet, I am loving the program so far, and as a director Dr. Jordan says, “It’s an investment in yourself.” So far we have met with Michigan legislators, judges, attorneys, directors and even a county clerk. It has been an amazing program and I know that it will be a highlight of my undergraduate career.

What do you hope to do after graduation?

I plan to take a gap year and work on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. before pursuing graduate school. Eventually, I plan to return to Michigan, bringing what I learned back to the communities that shaped and supported me. Whether that’s in elected office, a public sector lawyer, or in an appointed role in Michigan government, I want my work to be rooted in juvenile justice reform and rural communities. At some point, I would like to run for statewide office to take on a leadership role that directly impacts change on a larger scale.

What is some advice you would give a student considering majoring in PLS?

Do it! The field of political science is so diverse and creates so many different avenues and opportunities to explore. The major is incredibly rewarding given it is such a broad field and you have so many different classes to choose from to slowly narrow your realm of interest over your time at MSU. Being a PLS student develops your critical thinking, advances your skills in research and heightens your civic engagement by helping you understand how systems work to become an informed citizen in our democracy and help change the world! Bonus: because of all your PLS knowledge, you will always be the undisputed MVP at trivia night.