Political science is the study of constitutions, law, and government, at the local, national, and international levels, and of those things that influence the exercise of political power, such as individual interests and attitudes, norms, institutions, and culture.
On Tuesday, October 21, Supporting Women in Political Science (SWIPS) hosted an night of “Guess Who: Humanitarian Figures & Scary characters.” The event brought together 28 members for a lively interactive game designed to promote connection, collaboration, and a bit of friendly competition. Members enjoyed refreshments and laughter as they guessed each other’s assigned characters, ranging from famous humanitarian leaders to spooky seasonal icons, creating a fun way to unwind after a demanding week of midterms.
In addition to the game, SWIPS hosted Trintiy Sutherland, a recruiter from the Peace Corps, as the meeting’s guest speaker. Sutherland shared insights into the organization’s global mission, discussed her personal experiences, and provided valuable information about how students can get involved in international service opportunities after graduation. Her presentation inspired thoughtful questions and sparked interest among members eager to explore careers in global engagement and community development.
The evening concluded with announcements from SWIPS officers, who highlighted upcoming department events, including the annual Texas Tribune Festival (TribFest), and provided updates on internship and networking opportunities available through the Political Science Department. By combining social connection, professional development, and community engagement, SWIPS continues to create a welcoming space for students interested in leadership and public service within political science.
SWIPS is a nonpartisan women’s organization at Texas State University. This professional education and development organization is dedicated to helping political science majors and other students explore the various aspects of political science, enabling them to pursue their professional and academic interests. SWIPS meets every other Tuesday at 6:00PM in THH 406.
If you’d like to learn more information about this organization, please contact SWIPS President Lauren Garcia at xjr11@txstate.edu.
On Tuesday, October 7, Supporting Women in Political Science (SWIPS) hosted an internship workshop featuring a special guest from Across the Aisle. The event welcomed 18 attendees eager to learn more about professional development and internship opportunities in the political field.
Founded in 2016, Across the Aisle is a nonpartisan nonprofit based in Washington, D.C. that is dedicated to empowering young Americans to engage in civic life and public policy. Kathryn Thompson, a representative from Across the Aisle, shared how the organization creates opportunities for students to learn, lead, and collaborate on bipartisan solutions to national issues. She also walked students through the organization’s application timeline and answered questions about how to get involved.
Following her presentation, SWIPS officers led an interactive internship workshop. They highlighted two internship programs available at Texas State and outlined important deadlines and application steps. Officers emphasized the value of professional headshots and informed students that the LBJ Career Services Center offers free photography sessions for this purpose.
The workshop also covered strategies for strengthening résumés and building a professional online presence. Officers provided tips on how to effectively showcase experience and skills, as well as why maintaining an updated LinkedIn profile can open doors to new opportunities. To conclude the event, current TXST interns shared personal testimonies about their own internship experiences, offering practical advice and encouragement to fellow students.
SWIPS is a nonpartisan women’s organization at Texas State University. This professional education and development organization is dedicated to helping political science majors and other students explore the various aspects of political science, enabling them to pursue their professional and academic interests. SWIPS meets every other Tuesday at 6:00PM in THH 406.
If you’d like to learn more information about this organization, please contact SWIPS President Lauren Garcia at xjr11@txstate.edu. For more information about Across the Aisle, visit their webpage here.
On Monday, October 13, the Graduate College partnered with Career Services to host the “Exploring Graduate School Fair.” This annual event provides prospective graduate students with an opportunity to meet and speak with representatives from The Graduate College about Texas State’s master’s and doctoral programs. Held in the LBJ ballroom, the fair brought together students, faculty, and representatives from graduate programs across the nation to share resources, build connections, and answer questions about graduate education opportunities.
The fair provided prospective graduate students with direct access to representatives from The Graduate College at Texas State University, who offered detailed information about the university’s master’s and doctoral programs. Attendees had the chance to explore various academic pathways, learn about program requirements, and gather materials to support their application planning.
In addition to Texas State’s offerings, the event featured more than 60 tables representing universities and graduate programs from across Texas and beyond. This gave students a valuable opportunity to compare programs, explore diverse fields of study, and network with recruiters and faculty members from multiple institutions.
The Texas State University Department of Political Science was among the academic departments represented at the fair. The department highlighted its three graduate programs:
Master of Arts in Political Science — designed for students seeking a deeper understanding of political systems, theory, and public policy.
Faculty and staff from the department were on hand to discuss admission requirements, funding opportunities, and potential career paths for graduates.
“Events like this fair are essential for helping students see the full range of possibilities available to them,” said an MPA student from the Department of Political Science. “It’s not just about programs – it’s about connecting students with opportunities that match their interests and ambitions.”
For more information about the graduate programs within the Department of Political Science, please visit the webpage here.
The student chapter of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) has officially returned to Texas State University. With its relaunch, the Texas State chapter joins a statewide network of student organizations connecting future public administrators with resources, mentorship, and career opportunities.
Following an initial interest session in August, the chapter hosted a relaunch meeting on September 29 that featured officer elections and guest speakers highlighting the benefits of ICMA membership, scholarship opportunities, and upcoming conferences.
Guest speakers included David Lang, Senior Program Manager of ICMA’s Membership and Career Advancement office, and J.D. Moore, Director of Marketing and Communications, Texas Social Work, University of Texas. Both emphasized the value of ICMA in building professional networks and preparing students for careers in city and county management.
The International City County Management Association (ICMA) advances professional local government through leadership, management, innovation, and ethics. ICMA’s members are the professional city, town, and county managers who are appointed by elected officials to oversee the day-to-day operation of our communities. At the subnational level, ICMA has state associates, including the Texas City Management Association (TCMA). TCMA cultivates a grassroots pipeline of professional talent with chapters on college campuses, including the Region 7 chapter at Texas State University.
For more information on Texas State’s International City/County Management Association student chapter, please contact President Hannah Kriese at hgc6@txstate.edu or faculty advisor Dr. Miha Vindis at mvindis@txstate.edu.
The Department of Political Science joined fellow programs at the College of Liberal Arts’ Majors and Minors Fair on October 1, giving students a chance to explore academic opportunities and connect with faculty.
Hosted in the LBJ Ballroom, the fair featured tables from across the college. At the Political Science booth, Dr. Roger Abshire and Professor Emily Cedillo highlighted courses, resources, and student organizations such as Supporting Women in Political Science (SWIPS), Model Organization of American States (MOAS), Model United Nations (MUN), and Pi Sigma Alpha, the political science honor society.
Students also had the chance to spin a prize wheel for department swag, drawing a steady crowd throughout the event. “I appreciated the effort each department put into this event,” one student said. “It made me feel welcome and encouraged to continue pursuing my degree.”
Faculty noted that the fair not only provided information, but also helped students envision how political science can connect to career paths and campus involvement.
On Wednesday, September 24, 22 faculty, staff, and graduate students attended the first Inklings gathering of the new semester. Dr. Ionuț Popescu, an associate professor in the Department of Political Science, gave a presentation expanding on his new book No Peer Rivals: U.S. Grand Strategy and Great Power Competition (University of Michigan Press).
Published in April 2025, No Peer Rivals examined the role of the United States on the global stage as a major power. Popescu argues we are living in an era of great power competition between the U.S. and China. In this context, he explored China’s quest to become a regional hegemon; the closer ties that have emerged between China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea; and cooperation between Chinese and Mexican cartels. In response, he contends that the best strategy would include securing homeland defense, defending the military balance of power in key regions of the world, and maintaining economic, technological, and energy dominance. Both geopolitics and geoeconomics play a role in this strategy, with one of the key goals being a “de-coupling” from China.
Dr. Popescu earned his PhD in Political Science and International Relations from Duke University in 2013, and he is a former winner of the Smith Richardson Foundation Strategy and Policy Fellows book-writing grant. He also won the Freedom and Opportunity Academic Prize from the Heritage Foundation. Dr. Popescu is the author of No Peer Rivals: American Grand Strategy in the Era of Great Power Competition (University of Michigan Press, 2025) and Emergent Strategy and Grand Strategy: How American Presidents Succeed in Foreign Policy (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2017). His articles and commentaries have appeared in a wide variety of publications including Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, The National Interest, Political Science Quarterly, Journal of Strategic Studies, Orbis, Parameters, and The Hill. Dr. Popescu also serves as a Navy Intelligence officer in the Navy Reserve, and he deployed with the US Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) in 2023-2024.
Joshua Honea, a graduate student in public administration who attended the gathering, said, “Our meeting over Dr. Popescu’s talk was an excellent opportunity to engage with contemporary IR literature within the scope of American grand strategy from an offensive-realist perspective. I found our meeting particularly beneficial in allowing me to reframe my understanding of the United States from a largely domestic-centric and inward focused perspective, to one that can better account for the interactions and potential policy avenues by which our nation may pursue competition with that of certain entities including that of Russia, Iran, and most saliently, China, in order to maintain an American hegemony.“
The original Inklings consisted of a small group of intellectuals (whose ranks included J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis) who met weekly at Oxford University to read aloud and discuss their works in a spirit of fellowship and civil conversation. In the spirit of these Inklings, the Department of Political Science at Texas State University has held similar gatherings for more than two decades. Meeting monthly, TXST Inklings participants discuss research, exchange ideas, and address a wide variety of issues reflecting diverse interests.
For more information on the series, please contact Dr. Arnold Leder at al04@txstate.edu.
The Department of Political Science houses two academic journals, an international mediation newsletter, and two program magazines - Political Science's Alumni NewsWire and Public Administration's Public Matters.
