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, February 23, the International City County Management Association (ICMA) student chapter at Texas State met at Buda’s Welcome Center. Dr. Scott Langford, an assistant professor in the Department of Political Science, gave a presentation entitled “Economic Resilience as a Management Imperative for Future Local Government Leaders.”
The focus of his talk was “how do communities and economies respond to major disruptions – and what makes some places more resilient than others?” Among the topics he discussed was how things like the opioid epidemic, extreme weather events, and local finance issues can affect localities and factors that affect resilience at the local level including economic structure, local financial systems, social entrepreneurship networks, and institutional capacity.
Group discussion followed his presentation. Topics included community vulnerabilities and assets, the role of government in supporting entrepreneurial ecosystems, and resilience in action.
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 at 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 International City County Management Association (ICMA) advances professional local government through leadership, management, innovation, and ethics. ICMA’s members are the professional city, town, and county managers who are appointed by elected officials to oversee the day-to-day operation of our communities. At the subnational level, ICMA has state associates, including the Texas City Management Association (TCMA). TCMA cultivates a grassroots pipeline of professional talent with chapters on college campuses, including the Region 7 chapter at Texas State University.
For more information on Texas State’s International City/County Management Association student chapter, please contact President Hannah Kriese at hgc6@txstate.edu or faculty advisor Dr. Miha Vindis at mvindis@txstate.edu.
Over 30 students attended Supporting Women in Political Science’s first meeting of the semester on January 27. Officers provided departmental updates, including detailed information about available scholarships, their requirements, and upcoming deadlines. They also reviewed their calendar for the next month, sharing important information about upcoming tabling events, meetings, and their Black History Month event.
At the February 10 meeting, officers shared departmental updates, including information on available scholarships, academic journals, an international mediation newsletter, and program publications such as Political Science’s Alumni NewsWire and Public Administration’s Public Matters. Members were also encouraged to attend the upcoming Political Science Alumni Night and were given information about volunteering with SWIPS for Bobcat Build.
The meeting featured a guest presentation from Ms. Shekinah Wu of Career Services, who provided guidance on career paths related to political science and public administration, offered résumé feedback, and shared tips for interviews, career fairs, and networking. The meeting concluded with a question-and-answer session with Ms. Wu.
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 6:00 p.m. in THH 406.
If you’d like to learn more information about this organization, please contact SWIPS President Ashlee Chrisman at edh84@txstate.edu.
On Saturday, February 21, Drs. Roger Abshire, Lauren Rowlands, Levy, and Vindis represented the Department of Political Science at the university’s Bobcat Day. The event brings thousands of high school students and parents to campus to learn about Texas State. Faculty had the opportunity to chat with prospective students during the event, helping to answer any questions they might have about political science generally and our department in particular. They talked to over a hundred high school students and parents about political science, public administration, and pre-law while distributing flyers on majors, degree plans, internships, careers, and courses.
There are two Bobcat days per semester, with the next being held on Saturday, April 25, 2026. You can visit the event’s website here.
Three Political Science students participated in the MSC Student Conference on National Affairs (SCONA) at Texas A&M University from February 12-14, 2026. Dakota Autrey, Grant Garcia, and Drake Maddix represented Texas State University in roundtables and co-wrote policy proposals on Taiwan, the US Foreign Service, and American Industrial Recharge through AI.
Dakota Autrey’s group, led by Ambassador (Ret.) Barbara Bodine, wrote the conference’s winning policy proposal suggesting reforms to the US Foreign Service. All students thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
Drake Maddix said, “It was both a hands-on environment focused on geopolitical issues, and also an opportunity to connect with amazing people.” Grant Garcia, an ROTC cadet, remarked that “observing the deliberate leadership structure and planning process behind the conference” was very valuable.
Beginning in 1956, The MSC Student Conference on National Affairs (MSC SCONA) is an annual conference at Texas A&M University. Approximately 150 delegates representing universities across the United States, the Federal Service Academies, and the six United States Senior Military Colleges gather each February to hear speakers and participate in roundtable focusing on the role of the United States in the global community. This year’s theme was “Instruments of Power: American Influence on the Global Stage.” Esteemed speakers included:
The Honorable Robert M. Gates (Former Secretary of Defense and Former President of Texas A&M),
The Honorable Ellen E. McCarthy (Founder and CEO of the Trust in Media Cooperative and former Assistant Secretary of State for Intelligence and Research),
Major General Anthony L. McQueen (Commanding General of the U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence and Senior Army Element Commander), and
Major General Trevor Bredenkemp (1st President and Commanding General of Army University)
Picture: (from left) Grant Garcia, Dakota Autrey, and Drake Maddix
On Thursday, February 12, over 40 students, faculty, and staff attended the Department of Political Science’s 2026 Alumni Night event. The alumni discussed their careers and advised attendees on several topics of professional interest, including developing relationships with faculty members, engaging with internships, and getting involved on campus. Panelists also gave advice about avoiding burnout, building critical skills, and entering the workforce.
The panel consisted of three alumni:
Francisco Valdovinos (BA Political Science 2022, MA Political Science 2024)
Jacob Graybill (BA Public Administration 2023, MPA 2025)
Mostafa Jalal (MPA, 2024).
A question-and-answer session and informal conversations between the students and alumni over refreshments and pizza followed the presentations. Students who attended the event were given department swag which included t-shirts, lanyards, and stickers.
One political science student said, “Meeting the panelists was a fantastic opportunity for networking and learning some tips and tricks for success, both for the classroom and for the workforce. I especially enjoyed getting the ‘inside scoop’ on the Master’s programs offered by the department.”
On Thursday, February 12, 17 faculty, staff, and graduate students attended the first Inklings gathering of the Spring 2026 semester. Dr. Ricardo Sanchez, a lecturer in the Department of Political Science, gave a presentation titled “Challenges and Opportunities for United States-Mexico Relations.”
This presentation explored the deeply interdependent and multi-thematic relationship between the United States and Mexico. The main challenges that Dr. Sanchez examined were immigration, security, organized crime, narcotraffic, and politics/rhetoric. He also discussed the new judicial reforms in Mexico, which has led to caution in new investments. Dr. Sanchez emphasized that “willing participation of the whole society” and extensive open dialogue are both needed to result in real change.
Following his presentation, the discussion centered on the recent judicial reforms, the legalization of marijuana, short-term U.S. perspectives on negotiations, and the role of academia in curbing student involvement in fentanyl consumption.
Dr. Sanchez earned his Ph.D. in Public Administration at The National Institute of Public Administration (INAP) In Mexico City. He 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.
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.
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.
