Grand Valley International Relations

Welcome to International Relations (IR) at GVSU!

Are you interested in international events and trends? Can you envision a career in global affairs, international business, or law? Have you imagined working for a multinational corporation or an international non-profit institution? The IR program is a good place for you to start.

IR equips majors and minors with the tools they need to understand global and international trends. Our students seek to understand issues of global importance, including development, the environment, security, human rights, migration, and the interconnections between  governance, economics, power, and identity.

Our curriculum includes a strong interdisciplinary core, enhanced by a flexible set of electives that allow you to configure your studies to meet your own interests. 

Please explore our website and contact our Program Director, Professor Polly Diven, ([email protected]) for additional information.

Events

Drop in days of service

December 5, 2025 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Drop-in Days of Service are on-campus opportunities for students to "drop in" and complete service projects for service hours. At these days of service, students will learn more about different...

Fulbright US Student Program - Virtual Information Session

January 15, 2026 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Are you interested in teaching English abroad? Are you curious about studying for a Master's degree abroad? The Fulbright program might be for you! Join me to learn more! For more Information...

Philippine Culture Night

January 31, 2026 5:00 PM

Philippine Culture Night 2026: Tide by Tides

Real Talk: Social Sciences Edition

February 10, 2026 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Gain inside information on career paths, resumes, interviewing, networking, and other career-related concepts that you can start using TODAY as a student by rotating between stations led by GVSU alumni...

GVSU Faculty Fulbright Scholar Panel and Information Session (Friday, Feb. 13, 2026)

February 13, 2026 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM

Are you preparing for an upcoming sabbatical or other form of leave? Intrigued by the idea of a Fulbright Scholar or Fulbright Specialist award and eager to learn more? Join this Fulbright Scholar...

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News

Ozinga Starting Law School at Case Western

Ozinga Starting Law School at Case Western

IR alum Kyla Ozinga is starting law school at Case Western

Sep 16, 2025

IR and PLS Alumni Starting Law School

IR and PLS Alumni Starting Law School

PLS, IR and Human Rights alum Taylor Bessinger is attending the University of Illinois College of Law

Sep 12, 2025

Salam Attending Harvard Law

Salam Attending Harvard Law

IR alum Shireen Salam is attending Harvard Law School.

Sep 9, 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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Spotlights

Emily Brown Spotlight

Emily Brown

West Africa PEPFAR Advisor/Coordinator, International Business and Technical Consultants, Inc. Formerly employed at US State Department and US Agency for International Development

Shingi Mavima Spotlight

Shingi Mavima

Ph.D. in African and African American Studies, Assistant Professor of African and African American Studies, Michigan State University

David Johnson Spotlight

David Johnson

Graduate of Georgetown Law School, General Counsel and Strategic Advisor at The Giving Block, Miami, FL

Jordan Crandell Spotlight

Jordan Crandell

2014 IR graduate is teaching in Vietnam

Jiri Aberle Spotlight

Jiri Aberle

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic

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Page last modified August 29, 2022