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.
September 8, 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...
September 9, 2026 6:00 PM
New to voting? Learn everything you need to know about registering, understanding the voting process, and casting your ballot with confidence. This beginner-friendly workshop is perfect for first-time...
September 10, 2026 1:00 PM
Looking to Make a Difference or Gain Real-World Experience? Explore dozens of meaningful volunteer and internship opportunities at the Non-Profit Volunteer and Internship Fair at KIRKHOF CENTER NORTH...
September 16, 2026 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
The Gilman deadline is approaching! Now is the time to craft, reflect and revise your essay drafts. This is a time for you to brainstorm content, outline and discuss. By...
September 23, 2026 6:00 PM
Explore the history and evolution of voting rights in the United States, from past struggles to today's challenges. Join the GVSU NAACP for an engaging discussion on the importance of protecting...
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
1999 Graduate Former Advisor to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Now Senior Political Strategist at the Energy Foundation
Peace Corps Nicaragua, Fulbright Scholar Peru, now Ph.D. candidate in Education Policy, Organization and Leadership at University of Illinois
2016 Graduate Working and Living in Brussels
Graduate of the Georgetown Law, Co-Chair of Corporate and Mergers and Acquisitions at Miller Johnson in Grand Rapids
Project Manager at Community Research Institute
