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MSU PLS student nominated for the Marshall Scholarship
September 26, 2023 - Emily Jodway
Political Science Scholar Megan Smejkal is one of 10 MSU students nominated for the prestigious Marshall Scholarship. Megan is majoring in Political Science, Economics and History in the College of Social Science. She is a graduate of Prospect High School in Mount Prospect, Illinois.
College of Social Science Young Alumni Award presented to Chayse Hurley and Elias Kokaly
September 21, 2023
Detroit InnovateGov Program Coordinator Chayse Hurley and Elias Kokaly, an Anti-Money Laundering Specialist, are this year's Young Alumni Awards from the College of Social Science.
College of Social Science alumni use scholarship to promote civility in public discourse
September 20, 2023 - Karessa Weir
When Tina and Jon Lynch were dating as undergraduate students at Michigan State University, they used to wander along the banks of the Red Cedar River and talk about their future and how they would give back to the university where they met. “Back then we would take walks in the neighborhood across the street from Rather Hall and along the Red Cedar, dreaming about what life had in store for us. Even then we hoped to one day give back to the place that had given so much to us,” Tina said. “For our family, Michigan State is more than a school - it’s our home.” More than 30 years later, the Lynchs, both College of Social Science alumni and residents of Midland, have have fulfilled that dream when they endowed the Jon & Tina Lynch Family Promoting Civility Scholarship fund.
MSU PLS well represented on Homecoming Court
September 20, 2023
Alyssa Konesky, Political Science major, and Devin Woodruff, Public Policy major, have been selected as members of the MSU Homecoming Court for 2023.
Deadline approaching for Washington D.C. internship program application
September 18, 2023
MSU has partnered with The Washington Center (TWC) to provide students with hands-on experience in politics, policy, and governance during a semester-long internship spent in Washington D.C. This is a perfect way to apply your knowledge outside of the classroom and to make connections for your future career. Early application deadline is Oct. 4!
MPP students awarded Ira Polley Memorial Scholarships
September 1, 2023
Three MSU Political Science Master of Public Policy students have been awarded Ira Polley Memorial Scholarships for their exceptional work both inside and outside the classroom.
Intern Spotlight: Matt Sigers
August 18, 2023
As part of the Flint Study Away program, Matt Sigers has been working out of Flint City Hall since June 1. Among his favorite parts of the program has been the chance to get out into the community of Flint. He worked the City of Flint booth at this summer’s Harmony Festival, passing out information about different city programs and items like water filters.
Intern Spotlight: Jacob Pickett
August 11, 2023
"Political science student Jacob Pickett has been interning in the Office of Genesee County Clerk/Register of Deeds and is gaining firsthand knowledge of county government at work. Through his internship he is helping to revitalize the office of County Clerk/Register and put new practices in place to make residents experiences easier and more user friendly.”
Intern Spotlight: David Luc
August 4, 2023
Senior David Luc is interning with the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation as part of the Flint Study Away program.
Rate hikes may have slowed inflation in the US – but they have also heightened the risk of financial crises for lower-income nations
August 2, 2023 - Dr. Cristina Bodea
Dr. Cristina Bodea has written an article on the negative effects of the Federal Reserve's most recent hike has on developing countries.
PLS students share their research at Mid-SURE
August 1, 2023
The 2023 Mid-Michigan Symposium for Undergraduate Research Experiences was held July 26 in the STEAM Teaching and Learning Facility with more than 330 students presenting their research including several from the MSU Political Science department.
Research shows knowing personal details of politicians may reduce partisanship
July 10, 2023 - Karessa Weir
Will sharing a hobby or favorite movie make you like a politician more? The chances are pretty good, and it might even lead to a decrease in partisanship and division between political parties, found MSU Political Science Professor Jennifer Wolak.
PLS Professor and co-founder of LeFrak Forum, Dr. Arthur Melzer retires
June 20, 2023 - Dr. Dustin Sebell and Dick Zinman
Eminent political philosopher Dr. Arthur M. Melzer has retired from his positions of Political Science Professor and co-director of the LeFrak Forum Symposium on Science, Reason, and Modern Democracy.
PLS Faculty Earn Promotions
June 20, 2023
MSU Department of Political Science is pleased to share that two PSL professors earned promotions that were approved by the MSU Board of Trustees at their June meeting.
Student view: Summer, Juneteenth and family
June 14, 2023 - Angela Solomon
Angela Solomon is an undergraduate student pursuing dual degrees in broadcast journalism and political science pre-law. Currently serving as the chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer for the Associated Students of Michigan State University, she actively works toward creating an inclusive campus environment. Solomon also designed the 2023 artwork, “A Summer of Freedom,” for the third annual MSU Juneteenth Celebration.
PLS Spring Grad Reception 2023
May 31, 2023
The MSU Political Science Department honored students at their Spring Graduation Reception at the Broad Museum on May 5, 2023.
MGSP Spring Reception 2023 honors interns and celebrates supporters
May 26, 2023
MSU’s Department of Political Science and Michigan Government Semester Program celebrated the 22 students participating in the intensive internship program this Spring semester and thanked supporters of the program. We were delighted to have Senate Majority Leader, Winnie Brinks, join us as our Keynote Speaker.
PLS senior awarded College of Social Science Humanitarian Award
May 16, 2023
World Politics senior Zachary Zahrt has been awarded the College of Social Science Humanitarian Award for "providing support, aid and action designed to save lives, alleviate suffering and maintain and protect human dignity during and in the aftermath of crises."
Two PLS graduates receive Public Service Awards
May 10, 2023
MSU PLS is pleased to announce recent graduates Zachary Crawford and Daria Lindquist have been presented with the first Public Service Award by the department.
PLS faculty, PhD student win All-University Awards
May 10, 2023
Two faculty members from the Department of Political Science have been honored with All-University Awards by Provost Thomas Jeitschko.
Media freedom and democracy: Africans in four countries weigh up thorny questions about state control
May 10, 2023 - Dr. Jeff Conroy-Krutz
Political Science Chair Dr. Jeffrey Conroy-Kurtz authored this article in The Conversation about governments imposing limits on media.
Dr. Cristina Bodea to speak at Central Banking Training May 18
May 9, 2023
Dr. Bodea, Professor of Political Science, is speaking on Leadership and Management: Managing Change, Culture and Diversity in a volatile environment
Undergraduate Assistant Award goes to Eleanor Nagel-Bennet
May 9, 2023
Eleanor Nagel-Bennett is the inaugural recipient of the Political Science Undergraduate Assistant Award.
MSU PLS senior Jillian Jezak receives first Undergraduate Research Award
May 8, 2023
MSU Political Science is pleased to announce the recipient of the first Undergraduate Research Award goes to senior Jillian Jezak.
Political Science Graduate Awards for Spring 2023
May 5, 2023
MSU Political Science PhD students Alejandra Lopez-Villegas and Jonathan King were given the annual graduate student awards at a reception May 5.
Mikayla Stokes named 2023 PLS Outstanding Senior
April 27, 2023
Political Science Scholar Mikayla Stokes has been named the Outstanding Senior for 2023.
PLS students receive awards for 4.0 GPA
April 21, 2023
This semester, a record-breaking 206 graduating students were recognized by the Michigan State University Board of Trustees for achieving the highest scholastic average — a 4.0 GPA. Each semester, students graduating with a 4.0 GPA are presented with the Board of Trustees’ Award for their academic excellence. Additionally, each awardee will be acknowledged during their individual commencement ceremonies in May and will receive $1,000 from the university in recognition of their accomplishment.
MSU PLS and African Studies Center offering Roger Meece Internship Awards
April 5, 2023
The MSU Political Science Department, together with the African Studies Center, is pleased to offer two annual scholarships to qualified MSU students to cover the program costs for a six-week internship in Lusaka, Zambia from June to mid-July 2023. The program is based at the Southern African Institute for Policy and Research, with affiliations to the University of Zambia’s Institute of Economic and Social Science Research.
PLS PhD student awarded scholarship
March 24, 2023
Erika Vallejo is a PhD student in the Department of Political Science and is pursuing a graduate certificate in Chicano/Latino Studies. She has been selected to receive the Julian Samora Graduate Endowed Scholarship for Fall 2023 – Spring 2024 from the Julian Samora Research Institute.
Dr. Erica Frantz publishes paper on how Putin continues to benefit from the war with Ukraine
March 23, 2023
Dr. Frantz's article "Putin’s Forever War" was co-authored by Andrea Kendall-Taylor, senior fellow and director of the Transatlantic Security Program at the Center for a New American Security.
Paper by MSU PLS professor cited by President Biden
March 22, 2023
A paper in the Journal of Public Policy by Associate Professor Nazita Lajevardi was cited in President Joe Biden’s 2023 Economic Report.
Racial minorities can win elections. Here’s what’s holding them back.
March 20, 2023
MSU PLS Professor Matt Grossmann, director of @IPPSR and a Senior Fellow at the Niskanen Center in Washington, DC, interviewed fellow PLS Associate Professor Dr. Eric Gonzalez Juenke about what could be holding back non-white candidates for office in this Niskanen Center podcast.
Spring Semester '23 Career Fairs start March 13
February 27, 2023
Students from all majors have a wide variety of opportunities to check out careers in many fields over the next month. Registration available through Handshake.
InnovateGov Deadline Extended until March 1
February 13, 2023
InnovateGov Summer 2023 has extended its application deadline until March 1.
MSU PLS junior David Koster nominated for Truman Scholarship
February 10, 2023
MSU Honors College announced this week that David Koster, an Honors College junior majoring in Political Science-Prelaw, and Economics with a minor in Law, Justice, and Public Policy in the College of Social Science, is among the five nominees for the prestigious Truman Scholarship.
Diversity Focused Research Paper Contest
February 8, 2023
We are excited to announce that the Political Science Graduate Student Association will host a Diversity Focused Research Paper Contest for PLS undergraduate and graduate students.
MGSP Spotlight: Jolie Lawrence
February 7, 2023
MSU PLS is pleased to announce the runner up of the 2023 MGSP Scholarship is senior Jolie Lawrence.
Dr. Erica Frantz discusses "Personalist Strongmen: Challenges and Trends"
February 7, 2023
Dr. Frantz and co-author Andrea Kendall-Taylor have contributed to the blog Democracy Paradox.
MGSP Spotlight: Hannah Hall
February 6, 2023
MSU PLS is pleased to announce another winner of the 2023 MGSP Scholarship is Hannah Hall.
MGSP Spotlight: Liz Armstrong
February 1, 2023
MSU PLS is pleased to announce the winner of the 2023 MGSP Scholarship is junior Liz Armstrong.
MSU PLS students shine in the 6th annual university-wide Diversity Research Showcase
January 19, 2023
Four undergraduate researchers from Political Science were awarded prizes at this year's research showcase, hosted by the MSU Honors College.
MSU PLS announces the latest class of Michigan Government Semester Program for Spring 2023
January 12, 2023
Welcome to 22 new participants enrolled in the Michigan Government Semester Program for Spring 2023.
MSU PLS professor discusses the US-Africa Leaders Summit in the Washington Post
December 12, 2022
Dr. Carolyn Logan published highlights from the new Afrobarometer R9 for the US-Africa Leaders Summit.
MSU PLS professor participates in "The Nature of Inequality" discussion
December 7, 2022 - Claire Smith
MSU PLS Dr. Ana Bracic participated in the Sharper Lens Wider Focus panel discussion on "The Nature of Inequality," organized by James Madison College.
Student view: The importance of academic research, alumni connections
December 7, 2022 - Ryan Weinberg
Ryan Weinberg is a dual political science and criminal justice senior in the College of Social Science where she is a Social Science Scholar and a Political Science Scholar.
Former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta urges young people to become active in their communities and their government
November 30, 2022 - Karessa Weir
Former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta shared stories from his four decades of public service as a soldier, Congressman, budget officer, intelligence head and leader of the armed forces at this year’s Gov. Jim Blanchard Public Service Forum hosted by the College of Social Science.
PLS senior Macken Keefe named Mitchell Scholar
November 21, 2022
Keefe is the sixth Mitchell Scholar from Michigan State University. He is pursuing a joint Master of Public Policy degree in the College of Social Science, with minors in peace and justice studies, and law, justice and public policy.
MSU senior Macken Keefe named national finalist for Mitchell Scholarship
November 14, 2022
Macken Keefe is a finalist for the Mitchell Scholarship. He is an Honors College senior majoring in political science and global and international studies in social science, with minors in peace and justice studies, and law, justice and public policy. He is also pursuing a joint Master of Public Policy degree in the College of Social Science. Keefe is a member of Social Science Scholars and Political Science Scholars. His research mentors are John Waller, Ph.D., Brendan Mullan, Ph.D., Heather McCauley, Ph.D., and Ryan Black, Ph.D. Keefe graduated from Rim of the World High School in Lake Arrowhead, California.
How to Inspire the Next Generation: Social Scientists Examine Motivation among Minority Groups to Run for Office
November 14, 2022 - Emily Jodway
It’s a phrase heard often this time of year: “Your vote matters.” But the words ring true, and now more than ever we are seeing the emergence of an increasingly diverse pool of political candidates, because for some, voting isn’t enough. There is an impassioned rise in the number of minority candidates throwing their hats into the political ring. these individuals are stepping up to fight and push for legislation as a voice for those who may not have one.
Men don’t trust female central bankers on inflation or the economy, survey data shows
November 1, 2022 - Drs. Cristina Bodea and Andrew Kerner
Americans are less likely to trust statements from the Federal Reserve about interest rates when a U.S. central bank official portrayed as a woman delivers the information as opposed to a man, according to a new study by Drs. Cristina Bodea, Professor of Political Science and Andrew Kerner, Assistant Professor of Political Science, Michigan State University.