Skip to main content

Four PLS students stand out in research, assistance and community service

April 24, 2026 - Karessa Weir

Political Science students excelled at public service, research and teaching assistance this year and three of them have been honored for their efforts by the department.

MSU Political Science faculty are celebrating three students with awards this spring:
 

  • PLS Undergraduate Research: Sean Tinsley
  • PLS Public Service: Sarah Fazlagic
  • PLS Undergraduate Assistance: Kathryn Gates 

Sean_Tinsley-Headshot.jpgFor his research with Dr. Ryan Black on the U.S. Supreme Court, the PLS Undergraduate Research award goes to Sean Tinsley.

“I've had the pleasure of working with Sean since he arrived on MSU's campus in Fall 2023,” Dr. Black said. “Over the course of the last three years, I've had the absolute pleasure of watching Sean develop as both a student and a researcher. The paper for which he won this award encapsulates those talents incredibly well. It's got careful attention to detail, confident yet measured conclusions, and an enthusiasm to wrestle with truly complex and competing considerations when the US Supreme Court considers a case.” 
 
Tinsley appreciated the opportunity to conduct research with Black and learn from him.  
 
"I am honored to receive the PLS Undergraduate Research Award. Throughout my time here at MSU, the political science courses have taught me not only about political behavior and institutions, but how to apply theoretical concepts to my own research endeavors. Thank you to all of my political science professors for supporting my academics these past three years," Tinsley said. 

fazlagic-sarah.jpegSarah Fazlagic has been awarded the PLS Public Service award for her community service work as a member of the MSU Women's Tennis team.  

“It is my absolute honor to nominate Sarah Fazlagic for the PLS Public Service Award. Sarah is not only a standout leader on the tennis court, but a young woman whose commitment to service has transformed the culture of our program and elevated our entire team’s sense of purpose,” said MSU Women’s Tennis head coach Kim Bruno. 

Fazlagic lead the team to win the ITA Regional Team Community Service Award for a wide variety of service opportunities, from tennis-based outreach to volunteering at the local food bank and participating in reading programs for children. 

“Sarah has an exceptional ability to recognize needs in the community and mobilize her teammates to meet them,” Bruno said. “She embodies the values this award seeks to recognize, and her legacy of service will continue to influence our program long after her time here.” 

For Fazlagic, the PLS award represents what she has truly valued as a college student – the chance to give back.  

“Being able to give back to the community and get involved in ways that go beyond campus has always been important to me, so it’s really meaningful to be recognized for that. I’m grateful for all the opportunities I’ve had to work with different communities and be part of something bigger than myself. This award motivates me to keep showing up, staying involved, and continuing to make a positive impact wherever I can,” Fazlagic said. 

gates-kat.jpgKathryn Gates has been awarded the PLS Undergraduate Assistance award for her work with Dr. Eric Gonzales Juenke as a ULA for his large Political Science introductory course. 

Juenke said Gates stood out by proactively reaching out to students and offering help. She attended every lecture, held office hours immediately after class and added her own experiences to help students learn.  

“To say Kat took pride in her duties is a massive understatement. I was incredibly impressed and grateful. She is an outstanding Political Science undergrad and I think she deserves this recognition. I think she is going to have a big career in law or politics so we should show her and others that we saw these talents early on,” Juenke said. 

Gates said her experience as a ULA deepened her own understanding and appreciation for political science. She also enjoyed working with Juenke.  

“Having Dr. Juenke as a professor and getting to work alongside him has been one of the highlights of my collegiate career. He has a profound impact on all of his students, which extends far beyond what he may even realize. I thank Dr. Juenke for his trust and for his continuing support. I also thank the Department of Political Science for the opportunity to give back to the institution that has given me so much,” Gates said.