Alumni

Welcome Alumni!

Welcome to all alumni! 

International relations majors are accomplishing incredible things in Michigan and all around the world. We love to hear from you! If you'd be interested in being featured in one of our spotlights, send an email to [email protected] with a picture and some or all of the following:

  • Name, major(s), minor(s) (optional), and year of graduation from GVSU:
  • Describe your accomplishment (education, work, voluntarism, etc.), and optionally, anything you did previously (just a couple of sentences or as much as a page):
  • Anything you’d like to mention about how your classes, professors or activities at GVSU prepared you for your current path (optional): 

If you are looking to make contact with fellow alumni, check out the GVSU PLS and IR alumni Facebook group.

If you need a letter of recommendation, you'll find our letter of recommendation guidelines here, and faculty contact information here

We look forward to hearing from you!

Spotlights

Shingi Mavima Spotlight

Shingi Mavima

Ph.D. in African and African American Studies, Assistant Professor of African and African American Studies, University of Toledo

Austin Saycocie Spotlight

Austin Saycocie

Graduate of Johns Hopkins School of International Studies, US Foreign Service, now posted to Laos

Mario Amaya-Velazquez Spotlight

Mario Amaya-Velazquez

Amaya Appointed to Development Analyst Position with the Obama Foundation

Lizzie Heyboer Spotlight

Lizzie Heyboer

Deputy Organizing Director for Swing Left in the San Francisco Bay area

Jillian Zirnhelt Spotlight

Jillian Zirnhelt

Peace Corps Fiji, IMF Researcher, now Ph.D. candidate in Economics at the University of Pittsburgh

View More Spotlights

Distinguished Alumni

Periodically, the Political Science Department is asked by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences to invite a Political Science or International Relations alumnus to campus for the Distinguished Alumni-in-Residence program. The program provides a venue for departments to invite outstanding alumni back to campus to share their post-graduation experiences with the GVSU community.  Through the program, our distinguished alumni have the opportunity to share their insights about what constitutes strong academic preparation for students.

Political Science and International Relations Distinguished Alumni-in-Residence:
James Spaanstra 2005
Edward Cardenas 2006
Bob Monaghan 2007
James Meernik 2010
Nerina Cevra 2012
Richard Damstra 2015
Tim Zeeb 2017
Alan Dunklow 2019

Distinguished Alumni

Edward Cardenas Spotlight

Edward Cardenas

Media and Communications Expert

Nerina Cevra Spotlight

Nerina Cevra

Human Rights Lawyer

Tim Zeeb Spotlight

Tim Zeeb

Managing Director in Finance

James Meernik Spotlight

James Meernik

Political Science Professor

Robert Monaghan Spotlight

Robert Monaghan

Corporate Executive and Nonprofit Leader

View More Distinguished Alumni

News

Robach attends the National Conference of the World Affairs Council as a Student Scholar

Robach attends the National Conference of the World Affairs Council as a Student Scholar

Olivia Robach (PLS and IR double major) earned a scholarship to join student scholars from around the US to attend the annual conference of the World Affairs Council in Washington, DC in November 2025.

Dec 3, 2025

Ozinga Starting Law School at Case Western

Ozinga Starting Law School at Case Western

IR alum Kyla Ozinga is starting law school at Case Western

Sep 16, 2025

IR and PLS Alumni Starting Law School

IR and PLS Alumni Starting Law School

PLS, IR and Human Rights alum Taylor Bessinger is attending the University of Illinois College of Law

Sep 12, 2025

Salam Attending Harvard Law

Salam Attending Harvard Law

IR alum Shireen Salam is attending Harvard Law School.

Sep 9, 2025

Diven Honored with Award

Diven Honored with Award

Professor Polly Diven received the 2025 Hillman-Orr Award from the World Affairs Council of West Michigan.

Jun 23, 2025

View More News

Events

Fulbright US Student Program - Virtual Information Session

June 3, 2026 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Are you interested in teaching English abroad? Are you curious about studying for a Master's degree abroad? The Fulbright program might be for you! Join me to learn more! For more Information...

Fulbright US Student Program - Virtual Information Session

June 24, 2026 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Are you interested in teaching English abroad? Are you curious about studying for a Master's degree abroad? The Fulbright program might be for you! Join me to learn more! For more Information...

Non-Profit Volunteer & Internship Fair

September 10, 2026 1:00 PM

Looking to Make a Difference or Gain Real-World Experience? Explore dozens of meaningful volunteer and internship opportunities at the Non-Profit Volunteer and Internship Fair at KIRKHOF CENTER NORTH...

Make a Difference Day

October 17, 2026 8:00 AM

Make A Difference Day is an annual day of service where students are transported to local community non-profits to participate in service activities. Service activities range from cleaning up the properties...

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Page last modified October 25, 2019