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

Megan Koops Fisher Spotlight

Megan Koops Fisher

Community Outreach Program Manager for Ready for School

Erin (Meteer) Hendges Spotlight

Erin (Meteer) Hendges

Campaign Fundraiser Founds Consulting Firm

Marc Plooster Spotlight

Marc Plooster

Former Accounting Supervisor for the Holland Public Schools and current Ph.D. student in PhD student

Alan Dunklow Spotlight

Alan Dunklow

Assistant Attorney General for the State of Maryland

Steve Smith Spotlight

Steve Smith

Executive Assistant to the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Worldwide Digital Content, Advertising, and Corporate Development

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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

Astronauts for America: Vote for Freedom (INT 100/201 Approved)

September 15, 2026 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Astronauts for America, a nonpartisan organization of former NASA astronauts, is coming to GVSU! Celebrate National Voter Registration Day by hearing astronaut John Herrington, PhD, Cdr. USN (ret)...

Coffee and Camaraderie

September 15, 2026 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Join students, faculty, staff, and alumni for Coffee and Camaraderie! Connect with members of the Military and Veteran Faculty and Staff Association, Laker Vets, and the Military and Veterans Resource...

National Voter Registration Day

September 15, 2026 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Join us at the Cook-Carillon Clock Tower for a voter registration celebration. There will be yard games, popcorn, music, and partners from the Michigan Department of State to help you get registered...

Latiné Alumni Night

September 15, 2026 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Come celebrate the start of National Hispanic Heritage Month with fellow alumni and the Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA)! Dinner from Los Mariscos de Rancho and two beverage tickets are included....

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

September 16, 2026 12:00 PM - 1:00 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...

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Page last modified June 21, 2018