Alumni

Welcome Alumni!

Welcome to all alumni! 

International relations majors are accomplishing incredible things in Michigan and all around the world. We love to hear from you! If you'd be interested in being featured in one of our spotlights, send an email to [email protected] with a picture and some or all of the following:

  • Name, major(s), minor(s) (optional), and year of graduation from GVSU:
  • Describe your accomplishment (education, work, voluntarism, etc.), and optionally, anything you did previously (just a couple of sentences or as much as a page):
  • Anything you’d like to mention about how your classes, professors or activities at GVSU prepared you for your current path (optional): 

If you are looking to make contact with fellow alumni, check out the GVSU PLS and IR alumni Facebook group.

If you need a letter of recommendation, you'll find our letter of recommendation guidelines here, and faculty contact information here

We look forward to hearing from you!

Spotlights

Samuel Yocca Spotlight

Samuel Yocca

Samuel Yocca works for Global Programs at Georgetown University

Joey Courtade Spotlight

Joey Courtade

GlobaLinks Learning Abroad Alumni of the Year

Sam Stephenson Spotlight

Sam Stephenson

Member of U.S. Air Force, Graduate of the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California

Khalil Rahal Spotlight

Khalil Rahal

2006 Graduate Leads Economic Development in Detroit

Clair (Radyko) Scheiderer Spotlight

Clair (Radyko) Scheiderer

Attorney for Freedom House Represents Asylum Seekers

View More Spotlights

Distinguished Alumni

Periodically, the Political Science Department is asked by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences to invite a Political Science or International Relations alumnus to campus for the Distinguished Alumni-in-Residence program. The program provides a venue for departments to invite outstanding alumni back to campus to share their post-graduation experiences with the GVSU community.  Through the program, our distinguished alumni have the opportunity to share their insights about what constitutes strong academic preparation for students.

Political Science and International Relations Distinguished Alumni-in-Residence:
James Spaanstra 2005
Edward Cardenas 2006
Bob Monaghan 2007
James Meernik 2010
Nerina Cevra 2012
Richard Damstra 2015
Tim Zeeb 2017
Alan Dunklow 2019

Distinguished Alumni

Edward Cardenas Spotlight

Edward Cardenas

Media and Communications Expert

James Spaanstra Spotlight

James Spaanstra

Energy and Natural Resources Attorney

Alan Dunklow Spotlight

Alan Dunklow

Assistant Attorney General for Maryland

Nerina Cevra Spotlight

Nerina Cevra

Human Rights Lawyer

Richard Damstra Spotlight

Richard Damstra

Foreign Service Office, U.S. Department of State

View More Distinguished Alumni

News

Tafel Recognized for Excellence in Teaching

Tafel Recognized for Excellence in Teaching

Dr. Tafel wins Pew Teaching Excellence Award

Feb 19, 2024

Outstanding Student Paper Competition

Outstanding Student Paper Competition

Eligibility is open to all students who major in political science or international relations.

Feb 13, 2024

John T. Batchelder Political Science Scholarship

John T. Batchelder Political Science Scholarship

The John T. Batchelder scholarship is funded by a generous grant from the Batchelder family. The scholarship honors Dr. John Thayer Batchelder who served as a Grand Valley State University professor until his retirement in 1997.

Feb 13, 2024

GV in DC Scholarship

GV in DC Scholarship

The GV in DC Endowed Scholarship helps Grand Valley students study and intern in Washington, D.C.

Feb 13, 2024

PLS/IR Department Hosts Lecture on China by Kaiser Kuo

PLS/IR Department Hosts Lecture on China by Kaiser Kuo

Kuo lectured on what we get right and wrong about China.

Feb 6, 2024

View More News

Events

Dominican Dance Night

April 1, 2024 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Learn merengue, bachata, and salsa from GV's own Profesor Serrata and Profesora Castellanos! RSVP on LakerLink

This is a work for the mothers: Strategic Maternalism Against the Far Right featuring Lorna Bracewell

April 4, 2024 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Recent debates over public school curricula, including “anti-CRT” initiatives and attacks on “gender ideology,” have led to a reinvigoration of maternalist politics in the United...

El Festival de Musica: Fuego

April 6, 2024 8:00 PM - 11:30 PM

Hey y'all! The Latino Student Union invites you to our Winter baile El Festival de Musica: Fuego! The baile takes place on Saturday, April 06, and starts at 8:00PM on Kirkhof rm: 2250 (Grand...

Kpop Unleashed 2024

April 7, 2024 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

K-Pop Unleashed is K-Pop Group Evolution's annual dance and cultural showcase. This event features performances and discussions from both Grand Valley clubs and other organizations in the Grand...

2024 Celebrating All Walks of Life Pow Wow

April 13, 2024 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM

A Traditional Powwow is a gathering and celebration of Native American culture through ceremony, song, dance, feasting, and socializing. Traditional pow wows include dancers, drum groups,...

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Page last modified October 25, 2019