Jasmine Caldwell
Social Security Administration, Chicago
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:
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!
Social Security Administration, Chicago
Program Manager for Jobs for the Future (JFF).
Peace Corps Fiji, IMF Researcher, now Ph.D. candidate in Economics at the University of Pittsburgh
2011 Graduate at the Buffett Institute for Global Studies at Northwestern University, manages the marketing and communication strategy for NCA.
LMI Project Manager for Consumers Energy.
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
Foreign Service Office, U.S. Department of State
Energy and Natural Resources Attorney
Assistant Attorney General for Maryland
Corporate Executive and Nonprofit Leader
Managing Director in Finance
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
IR alum Kyla Ozinga is starting law school at Case Western
Sep 16, 2025
PLS, IR and Human Rights alum Taylor Bessinger is attending the University of Illinois College of Law
Sep 12, 2025
Professor Polly Diven received the 2025 Hillman-Orr Award from the World Affairs Council of West Michigan.
Jun 23, 2025
March 5, 2026 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Interested in teaching English abroad as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA)? Curious about the Fulbright Study/Research (S/R) grants for US students seeking support for independent research...
March 6, 2026 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Drop-in Days of Service are on-campus opportunities for students to "drop in" and complete service projects for service hours. Click here for additional information
March 11, 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...
March 19, 2026 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Running Start, the non-profit organization that runs the Elect Her program, brings campaign training and real-world experiences from currently-elected officials to college campuses across the U.S....
March 30, 2026 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Join us for a broad, quick survey of various “strongmen” that came to power more-or-less democratically throughout the past century, then subverted democracy and became autocrats. There...