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.
October 28, 2026 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Cast your ballot right on campus with the Allendale Township Satellite Clerk's Office in the Kirkhof Center. Eligible voters can register to vote, update their voter registration, request an absentee...
October 28, 2026 6:00 PM
Test your civic knowledge through fun, interactive games and friendly competition! Join Linc Up! for an engaging game night where you'll learn about elections, government, and voting while connecting...
October 29, 2026 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Cast your ballot right on campus with the Allendale Township Satellite Clerk's Office in the Kirkhof Center. Eligible voters can register to vote, update their voter registration, request an absentee...
October 30, 2026 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Cast your ballot right on campus with the Allendale Township Satellite Clerk's Office in the Kirkhof Center. Eligible voters can register to vote, update their voter registration, request an absentee...
November 3, 2026 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Join GVSU Votes!, President Mantella, the Laker Marching Band, the NAACP, and members of the NPHC for an Election Day Celebration and Stroll to the Polls!
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
International Refugee Work in Grand Rapids
Peace Corps Nicaragua, Fulbright Scholar Peru, now Ph.D. candidate in Education Policy, Organization and Leadership at University of Illinois
Director, Meetings and Education, American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association
2018 Graduate Lands Job with DOD
2006 Graduate Technical Expert at the Social Security Administration in Chicago
