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.
Texas State Students participated in the 29h Annual Eugene Scassa Mock Organization of American States (ESMOAS) competition at the University of St. Thomas form November 14-16, 2025. At the competition, there were 140 students representing schools throughout the region, including the University of Texas, Baylor University, Angelo State University, St. Mary’s University, and the National Autonomous University of Mexico. Representing the nations of Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, Texas State fielded a twenty-three-member delegation that competed in ESMOAS’ Summit of Americas competition.
Representing Team Mexico was Em Boegel, Amy Chaffee, Emmanuel Briseno-Hernandez, Grayson Bentley, and Maya Garcia.
Travis Buchanan, Brian McCutchon, Bohdi Rosen, and Gabriel Quesada represented Team Honduras.
Lucy Beaty, Savanna Tremback, Alondra Ayala, Emma Nowak, and Alazne Leon represented Team Guatemala.
Representing Team El Salvador was Carson Raatz, Matt Rennert, Eddie Almanza, Jonathan Hebler, and Santiago Lopez.
Finally, Sofia Hernandez, Gabe Marquez, Alli Mccalla, and Lily Alvarez were part of the student officer group for the ESMOAS competition.
Debating a host of topics, ranging from improving access to healthcare to mitigating gender-based violence, Texas State students were able to gain skills and experiences that will benefit their future endeavors. Capping the overall experience, senior Political Science major, Sofia Hernandez said, “As the MOAS President and Chairperson for the Budget Committee, it was a wonderful experience to see the fruits of TXST students’ labor from class and witness their growth in speech and debate throughout the competition. I am very proud to have seen their speaking skills and confidence grow throughout the semester, and I look forward to seeing how this program continues to succeed with all of the dedicated students involved!”
While this year’s ESMOAS competition was helpful in enhancing the abilities and experiences of our students, they also won numerous awards. Highlighting the awards that Texas State students won, Team Honduras won Distinguished Delegation (the second-place overall team award at the Summit of the Americas competition), while Team El Salvador won Outstanding Delegation (the first-place overall team award at the Summit of Americas competition). In addition, Travis Buchanan won the Recognized Ambassador Award (the third-place place overall individual award at the competition), while Carson Raatz won Outstanding Ambassador Award (the first-place overall individual award at the competition). The complete list of the awards and honors received by Texas State students is as follows:
Gabe Marquez – Served as Chair of the Executive Secretariat for Integral Development
Sofia Hernandez – Served as Chair of the Budgetary Committee
Alli Mccalla -Served as Rapporteur of the Executive Secretariat for Integral Development
Lily Alvarez – Served as Rapporteur of the Budgetary Committee
Lucy Beaty – Agenda Topic Award, General Committee
Alondra Ayala – Recognized Resolution (3rd Place in Committee), Executive Secretariat for Integral Development
Emmanuel Briseno-Hernandez – Distinguished Resolution (2nd Place in Committee), Executive Secretariat for Integral Development
Eddie Almanza – Recognized Delegate (3rd Place in Committee), Secretariat for Access to Rights and Equity
Carson Raatz – Recognized Delegate (3rd Place in Committee), General Committee
Bohdi Rosen – Distinguished Delegate (2nd Place in Committee), Executive Secretariat for Integral Development
Alondra Ayala – Outstanding Delegate (1st Place in Committee) Executive Secretariat for Integral Development
Carson Raatz – Recognized Crisis Speech (3rd Place Overall), General Committee
Em Boegel, Amy Chaffee, Emmanuel Briseno-Hernandez, Grayson Bentley, Maya Garcia (Team Mexico) – Distinguished Position Paper (2nd Place Overall)
Travis Buchanan – Recognized Ambassador (3rd Place Overall)
Carson Raatz – Outstanding Ambassador (1st Place Overall)
Travis Buchanan, Brian McCuthon, Matt Rennert, Bohdi Rosen, and Gabriel Quesada (Team Honduras) – Distinguished Delegation (2nd Place Overall)
Carson Raatz, Eddie Almanza, Matt Rennert, Jonathan Hebler, and Santiago Lopez (Team El Salvador) – Outstanding Delegation (1st Place Overall).
The Model Organization of American States (MOAS) is an academic organization through which students learn how the Organization of American States operates by competing in student debate competitions, such as the Eugene Scassa Mock Organization of American States. In MOAS, students study parliamentary debate, diplomacy and the economic, political, and security issues facing the Americas today. For additional information, see the organization’s webpage here or email Prof. Ben Arnold at ca17@txstate.edu.
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.
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.
