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 Friday, November 14, the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) hosted a symposium at Texas State University’s Round Rock campus. The event was sponsored by TXST’s William P. Hobby Center for Public Service and targeted professionals and students within ASPA, the Masters of Public Administration program, and the Texas Certified Public Manager (CPM) Program. The symposium opened with remarks from various professionals including Dr. Howard Balanoff, Professor & Director, Texas State University’s William P. Hobby Center for Public Service, and Editor-in-Chief, Good Governance Worldwide; Dustin Haisler, Chief Innovation Officer, e.Republic; and Fred Bell, President, CENTEX Chapter of ASPA.
Dustin Haisler, Chief AI Officer & US GM for Darwin AI Former President of e.Republic and publisher of Government Technology, gave a presentation entitled “Artificial Intelligence (AI): Assessing its Impact on the Public Sector.” He discussed AI updates, methods of using AI to improve workforce output, and important safety information.
Harvey Kronberg, noted political analyst & editor of the Quorum Report gave spoke about “Texas Politics, Policy, and Government.” In it, he shared recent updates on the activities of the Texas government and legislature.
“Ten Texas Traits of Good Government & City Hall Essentials: A Resource for Local Government Managers” was presented by Alan Bojorquez, Attorney & Chief Executive Office of the Bojorquez Law Firm, and his wife Sheila Bojorquez, President & CEO of City Hall Essentials. The ten traits he discussed were respectfulness, responsiveness, effectiveness, transparency, competency, ethics, lawfulness, innovation, economics, and accountability.
Austin Ellington, Digital Communications Coordinator for the City of Round Rock, presented “How Public Sector Employees Can Successfully Utilize Social Media in their Organizations.” He discussed the importance of communication, technology, and service to the community.
During the symposium, the William P. Hobby Distinguished Service Award was presented to John R. Milford, retired faculty at UT Rio-Grande Valley and Director of the Texas CPM Program in the Lower Rio-Grande Valley. A career public servant, Milford has devoted decades to cities across the country. His saying, “don’t tell me no, tell me when,” served as an encouragement to everyone present.
For more information about this symposium, visit the webpage here or contact Dr. Howard Balanoff at hb02@txstate.edu.
On Wednesday, November 19, 17 faculty, staff, and graduate students attended the final Inklings gathering of the Fall 2025 semester. Dr. Scott Langford, an assistant professor in the Department of Political Science, gave a presentation titled “Economic Crises: What We Know Today and How It Impacts Us.” Dr. Langford opened his presentation by sharing some of the inspirations for his research. Local finance and its impact on communities started his journey. He also explored substance abuse such as the opioid epidemic, and extreme weather events, such as hurricanes. Focusing on economic resilience, his presentation analyzed different economic shocks and their impact on their respective communities. Outcomes vary widely across places, even under similar shocks, due to regional and local differences.
Following his presentation, the discussion centered on the question of whether we are headed for a recession.
Dr. Langford earned his Ph.D. in Public Policy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Before coming to TXST, he served as a post-doctoral research fellow in the School of Public Affairs at Arizona State University. His research interests lie at the intersection of economics, public health, and the environment. Dr. Langford’s research has appeared in several leading journals, including the Journal of Business Venturing Insights, Economic Development Quarterly, the Journal of Regional Science, and JAMA Pediatrics. His independent research is funded by the Kenan Institute for Private Enterprise.
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 Tuesday, November 18, Supporting Women in Political Science (SWIPS) hosted a meeting attended by 17 of their members. The meeting’s focus was civic engagement. The meeting opened with updates on upcoming opportunities for internships and scholarships, as well as future events within SWIPS and the Department of Political Science as a whole.
Members shared the various ways they engage civically before officers shared clear definitions of civic engagement and substantive examples. Officers then discussed opportunities to get involved within the City of San Marcos as a way to give back to the community.
Before wrapping up the meeting, officers shared additional ways to get involved and participate in the upcoming 2026 Texas elections. Refreshments were provided for all attendees, making the meeting an even more wonderful experience.
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.
The week of November 3-7 was First Gen Week at Texas State University, a campus-wide celebration recognizing students who are first in their family to pursue a college degree. Throughout the week, various departments and student organizations held events aimed at highlighting the achievements of first-generation students and connecting them with academic and social resources.
The Department of Political Science got involved by providing resources and refreshments to students in Trauth-Huffman Hall. Breakfast was provided in the morning, including donuts, muffins, coffee, and tea, to help students begin their day on a positive note. Snacks were also provided around lunchtime, serving as a pick-me-up for students that were taking their exams that week.
Melissa Rendon, Student Development Specialist in the Political Science Department, coordinated the event with help from student workers and graduate assistants. Of the event, she said, “The Political Science Department loves to support our First Gen Students. We want to ensure that they feel a sense of belonging in our department and throughout TXST. As a First Gen Proud member myself, I have a passion for helping First Gen students find their way through a successful academic journey. We are here for them!”
Organizers said the goal was to create a welcoming space for first-generation students and to remind them of the academic community supporting them. Many students stopped by between classes, with several expressing appreciation for the free food and the chance to speak with staff in an informal setting.
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.
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.
