Virginia Tech Department of Political Science

05/29/2026

🎉 Senior Spotlight! 🎉

Emma Roshioru is a graduating Senior majoring in Political Science and Public Relations! 📚🎓

Emma credits the Department of Political Science for her research skills. She describes these skills as instrumental in preparation for her both in and out of academia. Emma will pursue a master's in communication next year. Emma looks back on her experience in political science as an exciting challenge that expanded her worldview and inspired her to learn more! 🧡

Emma is also a recipient of this year's prestigious Truman Scholarship!🎉

⭐️Swipe to learn more about Emma's incredible journey and bright future! Also, be sure to check out our newsletter interview with Emma on our website!⭐️

🎆Join us in congratulating Emma on all of her achievements, and wishing her the best of luck in her future endeavors! 🎆

05/28/2026

Leela Ohri is a graduating senior with dual degrees in Biochemistry and National Security & Foreign Affairs with a minor in Spanish. She is this year's recipient of the IS Program Outstanding Senior Award!🏆

The IS Program Outstanding Senior Award is awarded to a member of the graduating class in an International Studies major (IS, IPPL, IREL, NSFA, EDGE). 📚

Leela will attend the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) to pursue a PhD in Pharmacology & Toxicology, with the eventual goal of working in aerosol pathogen detection! 🎆

Join us in congratulating Leela on this major accomplishment! 👏👏

Well done, Leela! 🧡🎉

05/27/2026

Ardenne Sklavos graduated last December with a dual degree in International Relations and French and a minor in Arabic.🎓

Ardenne is this year's recipient of the IS Program Outstanding Research Paper Award. 🏆

The IS Program Outstanding Research Paper Award is awarded to a member of the graduating class in an International Studies major (IS, IPPL, IREL, EDGE, NSFA).📚

After graduation, Ardenne began working for Red5 Security.

Join us in congratulating Ardenne on this major accomplishment!👏👏

Well done, Ardenne!🧡🎉

05/26/2026

Last Tuesday, May 19, faculty and students from the Department of Political Science hosted a 60th Anniversary Reception at the Virginia Tech Richmond Center. 🏛️🎉

With fellow Hokies from government, industry, and the public sector in attendance — including keynote speaker Traci DeShazor (Class of 2008), Secretary of Administration for the Commonwealth of Virginia — Dr. Laura Zanotti, Chair of Political Science, discussed the Department’s multiple achievements by students and faculty alike as we gear up for our 60th Anniversary Celebration on August 20, 2026 at the Inn at Virginia Tech. 👏

Save the Date and Go Hokies!!🧡🦃

05/22/2026

Caroline Doffermyre, a graduating senior majoring in Political Science, is this year's recipient of the Harris Award! 🏆

The Harris Award is in memory of another of the founding members of the Department. It recognizes "distinguished scholarly achievement" and an "outstanding ability to conceive and execute original research in the discipline."📚

Caroline was on the Virginia Tech women's lacrosse team and maintained a 4.0 GPA!📝

After graduation Caroline plans to attend law school. 🏛️

Join us in congratulating Caroline on this major accomplishment!👏👏

Well done, Caroline!🧡🎉

05/21/2026

Jocelyn Holinka, a graduating senior majoring in Political Science, with a minor in Science, Technology, and Law, is this year's recipient of the Bernd Award! 🏆

The Bernd Award is in memory of the first chair of the Political Science Department, and it recognizes "excellence in undergraduate research and writing." It is awarded annually to a member of the graduating class in Political Science.📚

While at Virginia Tech, Jocelyn was a member of the Honors College and graduated Summa Cum Laude after completing her degree in three years. 🎓

She also participated in the Competitive Mock Trial Team, where she served as Captain, worked as a teaching assistant, and conducted undergraduate research focused on judicial reform, constitutional interpretation, and democratic governance. Her research was presented at the Virginia Social Science Association Conference in 2025.👏

After graduation, Jocelyn will attend the University of Richmond School of Law, where she plans to continue her education and pursue a legal career. 🎆

Join us in congratulating Jocelyn on this major accomplishment! 👏👏

Well done, Jocelyn! 🧡🎉

05/20/2026

To begin our recognition of this year's senior awards, we would like to spotlight Bailey Edwards! ⭐️

Bailey Edwards, a senior International Relations major and Spanish minor, is this year's recipient of "The IS Program Outstanding Research Paper Award!"🏆

The IS Program Outstanding Research Paper Award is awarded to a member of the graduating class in an International Studies major (IS, IPPL, IREL, NSFA).📚

Bailey will pursue a master's in public policy at the University of Virginia in the Fall!🎆

Join us in congratulating Bailey on this major accomplishment!👏👏

Well done, Bailey! 🧡🎉

05/19/2026

🎉It is our pleasure to announce this year's Political Science Senior Award Recipients! 🎉

(Photo 2)
The Bernd Award is in memory of the first chair of the Political Science Department, and it recognizes "excellence in undergraduate research and writing."📚 It was awarded to Jocelyn Holinka! 🎉 Well done, Jocelyn!🧡

(Photo 3)
The Harris Award is in memory of another of the founding members of the Department. It recognizes "distinguished scholarly achievement" and an "outstanding ability to conceive and execute original research in the discipline."📚 It was awarded to Caroline Doffermyre! 🎉 Well done, Caroline!🧡

(Photo 4-5)
The IS Program Outstanding Research Paper Award is awarded to a member of the graduating class in an International Studies major (IS, IPPL, IREL, NSFA).📚 It was awarded to Bailey Edwards and Ardenne Sklavos! 🎉 Well done, Bailey and Ardenne!🧡

(Photo 5)
The IS Program Outstanding Senior Award is awarded to a member of the graduating class in an International Studies major (IS, IPPL, IREL, NSFA). 📚
It was awarded to Leela Ohri! 🎉 Well done, Leela!🧡

Please join us in congratulating all our incredible seniors, graduates, and award winners!👏

⭐️We look forward to seeing all the great things you do next!⭐️

Stay tuned to the page for profiles of each award winner throughout the week!

05/14/2026

Last week our faculty, staff, and graduate students held an end of year recognition mixer to celebrate all of our accomplishments this past year! 🥳🎉

Among the attendees were 2 2025 MA graduates 🎓:

⭐️ Riley Phillips
⭐️ Mallory Premock

We would also like to recognize the remaining On-Campus and Online MA Graduates who were unable to join us🎓:

⭐️ Husnu Uysal
⭐️ Kelsey Smith
⭐️ Ranger McKinney (Fall)
⭐️ Michael Barco (Fall)
⭐️ Jordan Barnes (Fall)
⭐️Alex Wiltsee (Fall)
⭐️ Spencer Bell (Fall)

In addition to celebrating our graduates, we would like to recognize this year's award winners!🎆

"Outstanding First Year Student" Award Winner:
🎉 Logan Klain (pictured on the left) & Jackson Futch (pictured on the right)

"Outstanding MA Thesis" Award Winner:
🎉 Mallory Premock (Pictured in the middle)

Finally, we would like to extend a huge thank you to Dr. Karin Kitchens (Pictured on the right in picture 3) on an incredible first year as Graduate Director! 🍾👏👏

Please join us in congratulating our amazing MA graduates and faculty for their tremendous achievements! 👏👏

05/14/2026

Join us next Tuesday in Richmond and meet with fellow VT-Political Science alums!

CLAHS Political Science Alumni Reception in Richmond
May 19, 2026 | VT Richmond Center
6:00-8:00 p.m.
Register Here: https://buff.ly/MZwBnVT

Come meet fellow VT-PoliSci alums and learn more about our achievements as we celebrate our 60th Anniversary! Please feel free to share this invitation with other VT-PoliSci alumni you may be in touch with who would like to join us that evening.

Join fellow alumni and friends of the VT Political Science Department as we celebrate 60 years of political science at Virginia Tech! Cost is $10 and includes a $5 gift to the Political Science Department Annual Fund.

05/14/2026

Last month, PSCI MA and ASPECT Alum Dr. Jordan Fallon received the CLAHS Rising Star Alumni Award!🏆

From publishing a book in 2024 based on his dissertation entitled, “Culinary Man and the Kitchen Brigade: Normative Subjectivity in Western Fine Dining Traditions,” to working with his wife at their café, and teaching classes at Hollins University, this award is well deserved! 👏

When asked about the award, Jordan said, "It is a real honor to receive the Rising Star award. To be recognized by the college is, of course, very meaningful and it was a pleasure to meet so many other wonderful alumni. However, it was equally special – if not more so – to be nominated in the first place by mentors who I look up to and to represent a department which has impacted my life in many positive ways." 🧡♥️

You can read more about Jordan and his award in the PSCI most recent newsletter stories! Follow the link in our bio! 📝🔗

Join us in congratulating Jordan on this outstanding achievement!🎉

Well done, Jordan!