Kyle McMillen
Chief Strategy Officer, Parker Strategy Group
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
Richard Damstra
Special Advisor to the Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy, NATO
Natalie Cleary
Brand Manager, Meijer
Abby Oliver McCarthy
Member Engagement Coordinator, Illinois Senate Republican Caucus
Quinlyn Mork
Studying Abroad in Ghana
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
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
The Political Science Department is pleased to recognize Avabella Madison as our Batchelder Scholar for the 2025-2026 academic year.
May 13, 2025
Events
ENS Winter 2026 Sustainability Showcase (March 30 - April 4)
March 31, 2026 All Day
You're invited to learn about the research projects, innovative designs, and assessments that students in the Environmental and Sustainability Studies (ENS) Program have been working on this semester. Starting...
Hidden Costs of Aging
March 31, 2026 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
This session will provide research and perspectives on the costs associated with age-related care and housing, and offer practical guidance on how those expenses can impact your financial plan for...
Campus Conversation Series- Navigating Eco-Grief: Critical Hope for a Better Future (INT 100/201 approved)
March 31, 2026 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
How can we feel hopeful about issues of environmental sustainability at a time when local, national, and global communities are facing climate collapse? Impacts of climate change can feel overwhelming,...
ENS Winter 2026 Sustainability Showcase (March 30 - April 4)
April 1, 2026 All Day
You're invited to learn about the research projects, innovative designs, and assessments that students in the Environmental and Sustainability Studies (ENS) Program have been working on this semester. Starting...
Open Minds Book Club: On Civil Disobedience
April 1, 2026 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
For the April 2026 session of Open Minds, we will be reading and discussing On Civil Disobedience, edited by Roger Berkowitz and featuring essays from Hannah Arendt and Henry David Thoreau. "Together...