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

Samuel Yocca Spotlight

Samuel Yocca

Global Programs Advisor, Georgetown University

Joey Courtade Spotlight

Joey Courtade

GlobaLinks Learning Abroad Alumni of the Year

Christopher Hoff Spotlight

Christopher Hoff

Assistant General Counsel, Microsoft

Haley Gerlofs Spotlight

Haley Gerlofs

Refugee Resettlement Worker with Bethany Christian Services, now working for the American Red Cross

Shelly Greendyk Spotlight

Shelly Greendyk

2018 Graduate Lands Job with DOD

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

James Meernik Spotlight

James Meernik

Political Science Professor

Alan Dunklow Spotlight

Alan Dunklow

Assistant Attorney General for Maryland

Robert Monaghan Spotlight

Robert Monaghan

Corporate Executive and Nonprofit Leader

Nerina Cevra Spotlight

Nerina Cevra

Human Rights Lawyer

Tim Zeeb Spotlight

Tim Zeeb

Managing Director in Finance

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

Tabling in Kirkhof Center on Student Scholars Day: Opportunities for Summer Internships and Post-Graduation Work and Service

April 8, 2026 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Come join us on the 30th Annual Student Scholars Day in the Kirkhof Center Lobby to explore opportunities for summer internships and post-graduation work and service. Tabling in the main Kirkhof Center...

Combatting Human Trafficking

April 15, 2026 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM

Join us for a presentation and training from members of Wedgwood's Manasseh Project and learn about how they fight against the sexual exploitation of young men and women in West...

View More Events



Page last modified October 25, 2019