Pi Sigma Alpha

Pi Sigma Alpha, the National Political Science Honor Society, was established at the University of Texas in 1920. It is the only national honor society for college and university students of government. There are currently 621 chapters of Pi Sigma Alpha around the United States, including the Kappa Phi chapter at Grand Valley State University. https://www.apsanet.org/~psa/

Initiation into to Pi Sigma Alpha is a prestigious award for upper division students who have demonstrated consistent excellence in political science and related majors and minors. Initiation into Pi Sigma Alpha also establishes one's eligibility to participate in Pi Sigma Alpha scholarship and internship grant programs, and to publish research in the Pi Sigma Alpha Undergraduate Journal of Politics. For information about eligibility requirements and campus activities contact Paul J. Cornish, Advisor to the Kappa Phi chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, at (616) 331-3502 or [email protected].

PLS Alumni Spotlights

Morgan Taylor Spotlight

Morgan Taylor

Educational Policy Analyst

Megan Koops Fisher Spotlight

Megan Koops Fisher

Community Outreach Program Manager for Ready for School

Lyndsey Bates Spotlight

Lyndsey Bates

Lyndsey Bates, Partner/Attorney at AsherKelly

Dorothy Sewe Spotlight

Dorothy Sewe

Aids Refugee Relocation Efforts

Maro Houhanisin Spotlight

Maro Houhanisin

Attorney for Probate, Estate Planning and Domestic Relations

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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

Kilburn Publishes New Book

Kilburn Publishes New Book

This spring, Dr. Whitt Kilburn, Associate Professor of Political Science at Grand Valley State University, published Introduction to Political Analysis in R through Chapman and Hall/CRC.

Sep 12, 2025

PLS and IR Alumni Starting Law School

PLS and IR Alumni Starting Law School

PLS alum William Thompson is attending law school at the University of Michigan

Sep 12, 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

Avabella Madison awarded the Batchelder Political Science Scholarship

Avabella Madison awarded the Batchelder Political Science Scholarship

The Political Science Department is pleased to recognize Avabella Madison as our Batchelder Scholar for the 2025-2026 academic year.

May 13, 2025

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Events

Alumni Travel Program Info Session: Iceland

February 24, 2026 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Thinking about your next adventure? Join us for an inside look at the Alumni Travel Program and our upcoming trip to Iceland in September 2026! Our partners from Premier World Discovery will walk...

Democracy 101: "Opposing Tyranny with Nonviolent Civil Resistance" (INT 100/201 approved)

February 25, 2026 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Join us for a deep dive on Nonviolent Civil Resistance: what it is, studies by multiple scholars, and examples of different types of Protest, Noncooperation, and Intervention. Blending some lessons...

GVSU Grand Rapids Sports Week

February 26, 2026 All Day

Join fellow Lakers to cheer on two of your favorite Grand Rapids Sports teams! Come support the Grand Rapids Rise and Griffins, and score limited-edition, co-branded merch! Get a special GVSU discount...

Maximizing Social Security

February 26, 2026 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Confused about Social Security? This session will go beyond the basics of retirement benefits to explore often-overlooked filing strategies, including options for spouses and divorced spouses. You’ll...

Common Ground: Addressing Affordability

February 26, 2026 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Everyday costs are reshaping everyday life. From groceries and housing to healthcare and utilities, affordability is no longer an abstract policy debate, it’s a reality for families across our...

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Page last modified June 21, 2018