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

Richard Damstra Spotlight

Richard Damstra

Senior Advisor at theĀ  NATO Office of Strategic Communications in Brussels.

Shingi Mavima Spotlight

Shingi Mavima

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

Kristen Childs Spotlight

Kristen Childs

2017 Graduate Uses her IR and GIS Skills after Graduation

Dorothy Sewe Spotlight

Dorothy Sewe

International Refugee Work in Grand Rapids

David Root Spotlight

David Root

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

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

Nerina Cevra Spotlight

Nerina Cevra

Human Rights Lawyer

James Meernik Spotlight

James Meernik

Political Science Professor

Robert Monaghan Spotlight

Robert Monaghan

Corporate Executive and Nonprofit Leader

Edward Cardenas Spotlight

Edward Cardenas

Media and Communications Expert

James Spaanstra Spotlight

James Spaanstra

Energy and Natural Resources Attorney

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

DEM 101: Election Issues Panel with GVSU Political Science Department (INT 100 Approved)

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...

Fellowships Information Session: Planning to apply for the Gilman? Exploring Fulbright? Interested in the NSF Goldwater for students planning on graduate research in STEM? Curious about fellowship opportunities generally?

October 21, 2026 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM

Welcome! Join us to explore the world of nationally competitive fellowships.Planning to apply for the Gilman to help defray the cost of GVSU undergraduate study abroad? Exploring Fulbright or another...

Michigan Sociological Association's fall conference

October 24, 2026 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

The Michigan Sociological Association is excited to announce its upcoming fall conference, taking place on October 23rd and 24th at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan. This annual...

Vote in Kirkhof

October 28, 2026 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Cast your ballot right on campus with the Allendale Township Satellite Clerk's Office in the Kirkhof Center. Eligible voters can register to vote, update their voter registration, request an absentee...

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Page last modified October 25, 2019