Kara Cook
Director of Legislative Affairs, Office of the Governor, State of Michigan
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
Toby Hutchins
Assistant Director, TRIO Upward Bound, Hope College, and President, Fennville School Board
Khalil Rahal
Director of Economic Development, DTE Energy
Rebekah Bakker
Business Development Manager at Custer, Inc.
Joshua Lunger
Vice President of Government Affairs, Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce.
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
PLS and IR Alumni Starting Law School
PLS alum William Thompson is attending law school at the University of Michigan
Sep 12, 2025
Events
Webinar: Understanding and Contributing to Company Culture
November 12, 2026 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
A positive workplace culture doesn't happen by accident. It's shaped by the people, decisions, and everyday interactions that define an organization. Join Heidi Hunt, CEO of Community West Credit Union,...
Detroit Opera House After Hours
November 12, 2026 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Sip, Stroll, and Go Behind the Scenes at the Detroit Opera HouseJoin fellow Lakers at the Detroit Opera House for an evening of conversation, refreshments, and exploration. We'll gather in the Cadillac...
Detroit Opera House After Hours
November 12, 2026 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Sip, Stroll, and Go Behind the Scenes at the Detroit Opera House Join fellow Lakers at the Detroit Opera House for an evening of conversation, refreshments, and exploration. We’ll gather in...
AI at the Point of Care
November 18, 2026 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
A 90-Minute Virtual Polarity Lab for Healthcare Leaders and Clinicians AI adoption can stall when healthcare teams feel forced to choose between competing priorities: Efficiency AND Relationship Data-Driven...
Native American Heritage Month Keynote: Walking in Beauty: Re-aligning Modern Health & Wellbeing (INT 100 Approved)
November 18, 2026 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Explore holistic wellness, traditional healing, and the vital role of Indigenous knowledge in higher education, which has much to teach us about what it means to care for one another and the places...