Pi Sigma Alpha

Pi Sigma Alpha, the National Political Science Honor Society, was established at the University of Texas in 1920. It is the only national honor society for college and university students of government. There are currently 621 chapters of Pi Sigma Alpha around the United States, including the Kappa Phi chapter at Grand Valley State University. https://www.apsanet.org/~psa/

Initiation into to Pi Sigma Alpha is a prestigious award for upper division students who have demonstrated consistent excellence in political science and related majors and minors. Initiation into Pi Sigma Alpha also establishes one's eligibility to participate in Pi Sigma Alpha scholarship and internship grant programs, and to publish research in the Pi Sigma Alpha Undergraduate Journal of Politics. For information about eligibility requirements and campus activities contact Paul J. Cornish, Advisor to the Kappa Phi chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, at (616) 331-3502 or [email protected].

PLS Alumni Spotlights

Greg Robinson Spotlight

Greg Robinson

Associate Professor and Chair of Political Science at Binghamton University (SUNY) in New York

Abby Oliver McCarthy Spotlight

Abby Oliver McCarthy

Member Engagement Coordinator, Illinois Senate Republican Caucus

Kirsten Zeiter Spotlight

Kirsten Zeiter

Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist for the U.S. State Departments Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA).

Andrew Wilson Spotlight

Andrew Wilson

Senior Director of Episode Development Analytics at Signify Health

Joshua Lunger Spotlight

Joshua Lunger

Vice President of Government Affairs, Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce.

View More PLS Alumni Spotlights

News

Robach attends the National Conference of the World Affairs Council as a Student Scholar

Robach attends the National Conference of the World Affairs Council as a Student Scholar

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

Kilburn Publishes New Book

Kilburn Publishes New Book

This spring, Dr. Whitt Kilburn, Associate Professor of Political Science at Grand Valley State University, published Introduction to Political Analysis in R through Chapman and Hall/CRC.

Sep 12, 2025

PLS and IR Alumni Starting Law School

PLS and IR Alumni Starting Law School

PLS alum William Thompson is attending law school at the University of Michigan

Sep 12, 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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Events

Alumni Webinar: Lead with Love with Jeff Doolittle

December 16, 2025 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Lead with Love: The Habit that Elevates People, Profit, and Purpose In today’s complex and uncertain workplace, leadership rooted in love — not transaction — is a true differentiator. Whether...

GVSU Detroit Sports Days

January 3, 2026 All Day

Join fellow Lakers for two days of sports in Detroit! Cheer on the Red Wings and Pistons and score limited-edition, co-branded merch! Each ticket sold through this special package includes a donation...

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...

Open Minds Book Club: I, Robot

January 21, 2026 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

For the January 2026 session of Open Minds, we will be reading and discussing I, Robot by Isaac Asimov. "I, Robot, the first and most widely read book in Asimov’s Robot series,...

GVSU Detroit Sports Days

January 25, 2026 All Day

Join fellow Lakers for two days of sports in Detroit! Cheer on the Red Wings and Pistons and score limited-edition, co-branded merch! Each ticket sold through this special package includes a donation...

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Page last modified June 21, 2018