Study Abroad

Political Science students are strongly encouraged to take advantage of GVSU's many study abroad opportunities.

Click here for our helpful Study Abroad Guide for PLS

Also, check out GVSU's Padnos International Center an incredible resource for students contemplating study abroad.

The GVSU Political Science department has recently developed a GVSU Partnership Student Exchange program with two universities in Perugia, Italy, the sister city of Grand Rapids. Students are expected to have completed the equivalent of four semesters of Italian language to participate. Click here for more information.

PLS Alumni Spotlights

Marc Plooster

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

Shaun Brodie

Senior Staff Attorney for the Benefits Review Board at the U.S. Department of Labor.

Thomas Bell

Director of the Center for Educator Preparation and Director of the Urban Institute for Racial, Economic, and Environmental Justice.

Emily Brown

Master's Student Working for State Department

Reginald Oates

Program Evaluator for Government-funded Programs

View More PLS Alumni Spotlights

News

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

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