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 Monday, November 10, Dr. Ricardo Sanchez Mendez gave a talk on “Becoming an Ambassador: Reflections of A Former Diplomat” for over 75 students, faculty, and staff at Trauth-Huffman Hall. This presentation was sponsored by Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honor society, and Discourse in Democracy .
His presentation centered around diplomacy, ambassadorship, patriotism, and professionalism. He discussed critical characteristics of a successful diplomat, including interest in foreign relations, the ability to cultivate cross-cultural relationships, and the ability to adapt to diverse international environments. Then he shared the steps of becoming an ambassador, including earning a bachelor’s degree, gaining relevant work experience, pursuing an advanced degree, and taking the Foreign Service Officer exam, among other steps. He also spoke in detail about his own experiences as a diplomat, including the experience of terrorist attacks in Jakarta, natural disasters, influenza, and poverty.
Student questions delved into challenges he has overcome, suggested languages to learn, Mexican foreign relations, and conflicts of interest. One student said, “It was awesome to hear from such a distinguished professional on this topic! I felt encouraged and empowered to pursue a similar career path.”
Dr. Sanchez served in the Mexican Foreign Service for 35 years, holding posts in Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cuba, and the Philippines, and in U.S. consulates in El Paso, Omaha, and Austin. He retired with the rank of Minister and is the author of the forthcoming book The Mexican Foreign Service in the 21st Century.
For additional information about this presentation or its content, please contact Dr. Sanchez at ds039@txstate.edu.
Chapter Rho Eta of Pi Sigma Alpha is the national political science honor society chapter at Texas State University. Open to eligible political science, public administration, and legal studies majors and minors, Pi Sigma Alpha’s goal is to connect those interested in politics and policy with a wide variety of professionals from across the state and help its members get jobs, internships, and experience before and after college. Those interested in learning more about the Rho Eta Chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha should check out the chapter’s page on the department website here or contact Professor Ezekiel Loseke at etl19@txstate.edu.
On Monday, November 10, Roscoe Jones, Jr., the Dean of Drake University’s law school, visited TXST to meet with students and discuss the numerous benefits of law school. Around 25 students, faculty, and staff attended the talk, which was held in the Moot Courtroom in Trauth-Huffman Hall.
Jones’ goal was to “connect students to opportunities.” He discussed the costs and benefits of law school, emphasizing the flexibility of a juris doctorate degree in today’s professional world. He shared the critical characteristics of a good lawyer and a good law student. Further, he highlighted the importance of real-world experience and practical knowledge beyond theory.
Student questions centered around Drake University’s opportunities, advice for students who are uncertain about their next steps regarding law school, and the multitude of professional options for those who decide to attend law school.
Jones earned his J.D. from the University of Virginia Law School and his B.A. in political science and history from Stanford University with high honors. His articles have been published in a variety of periodicals, including Harvard Law and Policy Review. He has been Dean of the law school since 2024. Before this, his professional experiences have included being a partner with Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP; Chief of Staff to Representative Abigail Spanberger; Legislative Director to Senator Dianne Feinstein; and Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington (Seattle), among other distinguished roles.
Learn more about Dean Jones on Drake University’s website here.
On Wednesday, November 5, the annual TXST Law School Fair was held from 4:00-7:00 in the LBJ Student Center Ballroom. Over 270 students attended the event, which was organized by Career Services and the university’s official Pre-Law Advisor, Dr. Ken Ward. The event provided students with the opportunity to connect with representatives from top law schools across the country, gaining valuable insights into various law programs, admissions requirements, and career paths in the legal field. Over 70 institutions participated, including the University of Texas, Texas Tech University, Texas A&M University, Boston College, Baylor University, Syracuse University, Louisiana State University, and Penn State.
Students spoke about the benefits of having so many options available for networking, highlighting that opportunities ranged from within the state of Texas to states on the opposite side of the country. While some students came to visit specific schools’ tables, many were able to meet with schools they had never had experiences with before.
Students were also able to receive tips for strengthening their law school applications and resumes, network with professionals as well as other aspiring law students, and get answers to pressing questions in real-time.
For more information about the Pre-Law program at Texas State, visit the Pre-Law guide page here or contact Dr. Ken Ward at kw12@txstate.edu.
On Monday, October 20, faculty, staff, and graduate students attended an Inklings gathering featuring Dr. Chris Brown, a member of the legal studies and public administration faculties. His topic was “Corporate Lysenkoism: Trump’s EPA, the Endangerment Finding, and the Future of Climate Change Policy.”
During his presentation, Dr. Brown explored key legal and policy developments shaping federal climate regulation. He discussed Massachusetts v. EPA and its foundational test for standing, the EPA’s statutory duty under the Clean Air Act, the 2009 EPA Endangerment Finding issued under 42 U.S.C. § 7521(a)(1). He shared the finding of the intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and its reports, emphasizing the growing manifestations of climate change—such as sea level rise, droughts, flooding, and extreme weather events.
Dr. Christopher Brown received his J.D from the University of Texas at Austin. Before arriving at Texas State University, he served as a judicial clerk to the Texas Court of Appeals for the Eighth Judicial District, the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas; litigated on behalf of the Texas Attorney General’s Office; and served as an air and water quality attorney for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. His works have been published in the Journal of Public Affairs Education, Texas Environmental Law Journal, and Ethics, Environmental Justice.
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.
On Monday, November 3, Mark K. Updegrove, President and CEO of the LBJ Foundation, presented “Make Your Mark: Lessons in Character from Seven Presidents” as part of the LBJ Distinguished Lecture Series. Introduced by President Damphousse, over 300 students (including some 200 poli sci students), faculty, and staff attended Updegrove’s lecture. The talk drew on his book by the same title published by Harper Collins in 2025). The former director of the LBJ Presidential Library, Updegrove’s articles have appeared in a wide variety of publications, and he is a former publisher of Newsweek. His work has appeared in The New York Times, Politico, and TIME – offering unique insight into presidential leadership and character.
His presentation offered insights into the lives and works of seven modern United States presidents. He suggested that there is no “one-size-fits-all model for leadership,” and highlighted the unique traits of each of the seven presidents. In his talk, he highlights the following traits:
Gerald Ford’s instinct to do the right thing in the wake of Watergate;
Jimmy Carter’s mission to do good in the areas of peace and human rights;
Ronald Reagan’s optimism, restoring the nation’s confidence and pride;
George H.W. Bush’s humility, helping to ensure a peaceful end to the Cold War;
Bill Clinton’s resilience in the face of political and personal obstacles;
George W. Bush’s charge to give back as the deadly AIDS epidemic spread unchecked through much of the developing world;
and Barack Obama’s grace as the first African American to hold the country’s highest office.
The former director of the LBJ Presidential Library, Updegrove’s articles have appeared in a wide variety of publications including The New York Times, Politico, and TIME.
One student who attended said, “It was fascinating to have these interesting presidents humanized and respected for their contributions. Updegrove was engaging and knowledgeable, which made the whole experience amazing.”
The event was hosted by the office of President Kelly Damphousse and co-hosted with the Department of Political Science, Department of History, and College of Education.
On Saturday, October 11, a group of political science alumni who work at the Capitol or with the legislature held their sixth annual homecoming tailgate. About 30 Capitol Cats Alumni attended the event along with dozens of their friends, family, and current students. This was the second year of officially partnering with Texas State University through the Capitol Cats internship program, which seeks to empower students by providing them with support necessary to participate in internships in the state capitol in Austin, TX. Students actively participating in the program as well as those interested in doing so were able to connect with the alumni, build networking relationships, and seek advice for job opportunities and internships for the coming spring semester.
Kaden Tucker, a 2025 Capitol Cat intern who attended the event, said, “Coming together at the Capital Cats Alumni Tailgate was a powerful reminder of the strong community and shared commitment we carry from campus to the heart of Texas government. It was inspiring to connect with fellow alumni who are making a difference every day, bridging the Bobcat spirit with public service. Events like this not only celebrate our roots but also strengthen the network and friendships that support us in our professional and personal lives. It’s a testament to how far we’ve come and the impact we continue to have for both the state, and the university.”
The event was coordinated by Vanessa Cortez Tanner, an alumnus who serves as Chief of Staff for State Representative Brad Buckley, and Morghan Armenta, a K-12 Policy Analyst with the Office of Texas Governor Greg Abbott.
The Capitol Cats in attendance included Vanessa Tanner, Morghan Armenta, Kaden Tucker, Liliana Gonzales, Paige Williams, Emily Morgan, Michael Clarke, Chris Hosek, Tom Holloway, Matt Russel, Gray Rutledge, Jordan Berry, Nathan McDaniel, Hank Humphries, Olivia Alexander, Greg Bentch, Emily Bentch, Nick James, Sebastian Quaid, Bailey Quaid, Caitlin McCausin, Malu Gonzales Aranda, and Jake Kobersky. Faculty in attendance included Drs Ken Grasso, Howard Balanoff, Vance McMahan, Paul DeHart, and Ionut Ppoescu.
For more information about the Capitol Cats internship program, see the webpage here. Undergraduate and graduate political science majors interested in receiving academic credit for an internship should contact Dr. Vance McMahan at tvm20@txstate.edu. Undergraduate public administration majors interested in doing so should contact Dr. Susan Johnson at sj16@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.
