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 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.
Three faculty members from the Department of Political Science were chosen as “Favorite Professors” by Texas State’s Alfred H. Noelle Chapter of Alpha Chi National College Honor Society for the 2025-2026 school year. Drs. Marie Garza, Emily Hanks, and David Levy were recognized for their outstanding contributions to the field, including their positive impacts on students.
Dr. Marie Garza received her Juris Doctorate from Southern Methodist University’s Dedman School of Law. She received the Teaching Award of Honor from the Texas State Alumni Association in the spring of 2020.
Dr. Emily Kay Hanks received her Ph.D. from the University of Texas – Austin. She has been named an Alpha Chi Favorite Professor multiple times. In 2016, she received the Liberal Arts Achievement Award for Excellence in Teaching. She is also a recipient of the prestigious Texas State University Foundations of Excellence Teaching Award.
Dr. David Levy holds a Juris Doctorate degree from Southern Methodist University and an LL.M. (with distinction) in International and Comparative Law from the Georgetown University Law Center. He has significant work experience in the field of law, including working for the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law, the American Society of International Law, and the International Law Institute.
Dr. Levy, an Alpha Chi member since the late 1970s, noted that the award was particularly meaningful coming from the students, stating: “At the end of the day, we are all here for the students.”
Founded in 1922, Alpha Chi is a national honor society which promotes academic excellence and exemplary character among undergraduate college and university students – and honors those who achieve such distinction. To qualify for membership, a student must be a first-time undergraduate, a junior or senior (having attained no less than 60 credit hours), have a minimum Texas State GPA of 3.50 on at least 45 semester hours at Texas State. Graduate students with a 4.0 and at least 15 hours of graduate coursework at Texas State also qualify for Alpha Chi membership. There are over 300 chapters and 500,000 members worldwide.
On Tuesday, October 14, the Department of Political Science and Discourse in Democracy sponsored a faculty panel titled “Between Conflict & Cooperation: World Politics in 2025.” Dr. Alex Kroeger moderated this international relations panel, which consisted of Drs. Tom Doyle, Ed Mihalkanin, Franziska Newell, and Ionuț Popescu. The event was part of the department’s ongoing effort to foster public dialogue on global affairs and encourage students to engage critically with the forces shaping international politics. The panel brought together over sixty students, faculty, and staff to explore how global conflicts, alliances, and shifting power structures are shaping the current international landscape.
Dr. Kroeger opened the panel by acknowledging that while we live in turbulent times, this brings us opportunities for collaboration and cooperation, diplomacy and collective problem-solving. Each of the presenters focused on a different aspect of the current international scene:
Dr. Doyle focused on the intersection of state fragility and transnational issues. He highlighted the impact of drug trafficking in Venezuela and the persistent instability of the Israel/Palestine conflict, emphasizing how non-state actors and weak governance can intensify international tensions but also create opportunities for multilateral cooperation.
Dr. Mihalkanin examined how environmental and economic pressures are reshaping geopolitical relationships. He discussed the destabilizing effects of the climate crisis, resource scarcity, and the ripple effects of U.S. domestic and foreign policies – including tariffs and immigration – on international alliances and global markets.
Dr. Newell brought a legal and institutional perspective, focusing on the role of international law in conflict zones. She explored how the principles and enforcement mechanisms of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide are being tested in ongoing conflicts such as Israel/Palestine and Russia/Ukraine.
Dr. Popescu analyzed the evolving strategic role of the United States on the world stage, including its diplomatic posture under President Trump. He discussed Washington’s involvement in mediating the Israel/Palestine conflict, the strategic implications of the U.S.–China trade war, and the broader geoeconomic competition shaping international order.
The panel concluded with a lively Q&A session in which students asked about the future of U.S. foreign policy, the challenges of enforcing international law, and ways to bridge partisan divisions in shaping global engagement. Several panelists emphasized the importance of informed civic participation, diplomacy, and multilateralism in addressing these challenges.
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.
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.
