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

Amy Fuerstenau Spotlight

Amy Fuerstenau

1999 Graduate Former Advisor to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Now Senior Political Strategist at the Energy Foundation

David Johnson Spotlight

David Johnson

Graduate of Georgetown Law School, General Counsel and Strategic Advisor for Shift4

David Root Spotlight

David Root

Education Program Coordinator at the U.S. Department of State in Fairfax, Virginia.

Aisha Espey Spotlight

Aisha Espey

Associate Director for both the Global Trade Alert and Digital Policy Alert in Switzerland.

Paul Bratt Spotlight

Paul Bratt

Legal counsel for Gordon Food Service

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

Robert Monaghan Spotlight

Robert Monaghan

Corporate Executive and Nonprofit Leader

James Spaanstra Spotlight

James Spaanstra

Energy and Natural Resources Attorney

Alan Dunklow Spotlight

Alan Dunklow

Assistant Attorney General for Maryland

Richard Damstra Spotlight

Richard Damstra

Foreign Service Office, U.S. Department of State

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

Virtual Information Session: Gilman Scholarship (competitive award for study abroad)

September 22, 2026 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

The Gilman deadline is approaching! Now is the time to craft, reflect and revise your essay drafts. This is a time for you to brainstorm content, outline and discuss. By...

Democracy 101: Voting Rights, Then and Now with the GVSU NAACP

September 23, 2026 6:00 PM

Explore the history and evolution of voting rights in the United States, from past struggles to today's challenges. Join the GVSU NAACP for an engaging discussion on the importance of protecting...

DEM 101: Elect Her with GVSU Student Senate and Running Start

October 8, 2026 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM

Learn what it takes to run for office and make an impact in your community. Join GVSU Student Senate and Running Start to explore women’s leadership in politics, campaign basics, and how you...

DEM 101: Election Issues Panel with GVSU Political Science Department

October 14, 2026 6:00 PM

Hear from GVSU political science faculty as they discuss key issues shaping today's elections. Gain nonpartisan insights, ask questions, and deepen your understanding of the topics influencing...

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