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, December 2, the Department of Political Science’s staff attended the annual President’s Faculty and Staff Holiday Party. President Kelly Damphousse and his wife Beth welcomed people from all across campus to celebrate the holiday season and the approaching end of the semester.
The theme of the party was Ugly Sweaters, and the Department of Political Science brought their all to the contest. Administrative Assistant III Alexis Finley and Microcomputer Lab Coordinator Dmitri Meza wore their ugliest holiday sweaters and secured a second-place award for their efforts.
Alexis said, “It was a blast. Next year we’ll be aiming for that first-place prize.” She joked that they were getting paid “one salary” for entering the contest.
Dmitri echoed these sentiments, saying, ”I had a really fun time. It was very festive and definitely helped me get in the holiday mood! I would like to start this as a tradition – maybe next year we can get 1st place!”
On Thursday, November 20, Myric Polhemus, VP of Talent and HR Technology at HEB and TXST alumnus, gave a presentation on “The Power of a Liberal Arts Degree” in Flowers Hall 230. The College of Liberal Arts sponsored the event.
Mr. Polhemus discussed the usefulness of his liberal arts degree using examples from his everyday work with HEB. Learning how to learn has been at the center of his growth as a person and a professional. He shared the important distinctions between domain-specific skills and transferable skills. He compared the skills that students in liberal arts develop through their classes with skills that workplaces need. Skills like close reading, persuasive writing, critical thinking, and clear communication acquired in your liberal arts major will set you up for success in the workplace.
One attendee said, “Myric was a brilliant and valuable speaker to listen to. Not only did he give us great information, but he also gave me hope and encouragement that I am pursing the right path with my COLA degree.”
Melissa Rendon, Student Development Specialist with the Political Science Department, said, “I found the lecture delivered by Myric Polhemus, Vice President for Talent Acquisition at H-E-B, to be highly insightful and practical. His presentation offered students and served as a reminder for faculty and staff, strategies for developing the skill of ‘learning how to learn.’ What stood out the most was his perspective on the transferability of Liberal Arts skills and how these competencies can be intentionally developed and applied in professional settings. His practical strategies for building these skills for future success were spot-on and highly relevant for both students and educators.”
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.
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.
