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 Heather Tafel, (tafelh@gvsu.edu) for additional information.
January 16, 2026 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. Click here for additional information
January 19, 2026 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
Welcome! Join us to explore the world of nationally competitive fellowships. Planning to apply for the Gilman to help defray the cost of GVSU undergraduate study abroad? Exploring Fulbright or another...
January 31, 2026 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
The Filipinx American Student Association at Grand Valley State would like to formally invite you to celebrate our 3rd Annual Philippine Culture Night! It'll be in the Grand River Room at the Kirkhof...
February 3, 2026 2:30 PM - 3:45 PM
Join NPR correspondent Emily Feng for an exploration of identity and belonging in China, highlighting the intersection of politics, ideology, and everyday life under Xi Jinping, based on her on-the-ground...
February 10, 2026 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Welcome! Join us to explore the world of nationally competitive fellowships. Planning to apply for the Gilman to help defray the cost of GVSU undergraduate study abroad? Exploring Fulbright or another...
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
IR alum Kyla Ozinga is starting law school at Case Western
Sep 16, 2025
PLS, IR and Human Rights alum Taylor Bessinger is attending the University of Illinois College of Law
Sep 12, 2025
Professor Polly Diven received the 2025 Hillman-Orr Award from the World Affairs Council of West Michigan.
Jun 23, 2025
Member of U.S. Air Force, Graduate of the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California
1999 Graduate Former Advisor to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Now Senior Political Strategist at the Energy Foundation
Project Manager at Community Research Institute
Senior Program Assistant for the Committee on Human Rights
Refugee Resettlement Worker with Bethany Christian Services, now working for the American Red Cross
