Department of Political Science at Coastal Carolina University

06/01/2026

Department of Political Science Chair Mikel Norris and political science major Kallie LaCount were among the participants in this spring’s inaugural Coastal Listens event, which focused on civic listening and dialogue.

The event was part of the Coastal Civic Initiative and was organized by Dr. Justin Vaughn, professor of political science and director of the Center for Applied Civic Leadership.

Also pictured are Associate Provost Dr. Clayton Whitesides, one of the event’s speakers; Associate Provost Dr. Rob Young; and CCU student Abigail Turka. Abigail and Kallie are Fellows in the Center for Applied Civic Leadership.

05/18/2026

Congratulations, Kennedy!

Congratulations to Kennedy Kovach, recipient of the 2026 Hudson Institute Political Studies Summer Fellowship!

A rising senior political science major, Kennedy will spend six weeks in Washington, D.C., engaging in seminars, policy workshops and discussions with leading scholars and public officials. She plans to pursue law and run for Congress.

"I am excited to deepen my engagement with political theory, public policy, and contemporary governance while learning alongside an exceptional group of peers."

Dr. Kimberly Hale, associate professor of political science, nominated Kennedy for the fellowship.

"Kennedy is one of the top students in the Political Science major at . Her passion for politics and commitment to being an active, engaged citizen is remarkable. The Hudson Institute Political Studies Summer Fellowship program brings together the most outstanding political theory undergraduates from across the country for extensive study of the most enduring questions of political life. I believe that Kennedy is an ideal candidate for this program, and have no doubt she will be an outstanding representative for CCU."

CCU Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Gibbs Knotts echoed this sentiment:

"I was lucky to have Kennedy as a student in my POLI 368: Campaigns and Elections course, and she is a star. I have also watched her grow as a campus leader over the past couple of years and know she will do very well in this prestigious program."

Kennedy serves as a CCU student senator, participates in Mock Trial and is active in HTC Honors College through the Pluralism Fellowship and Quill Project.

For information about nationally competitive awards, contact [email protected].

05/07/2026

Due to forecasted inclement weather, ’s University Commencement Ceremony will be held indoors for graduates at the HTC Center on Thursday, May 7, at 6 p.m.

To ensure families and guests can still share in the experience, the University will provide livestream viewing locations across campus at:
• Wheelwright Auditorium
• Coastal Theater inside the Lib Jackson Student Union
• Johnson Auditorium inside the Wall College of Business building

For full details, parking, and livestream information, please visit: coastal.edu/commencement

04/30/2026

Congratulations, Vicky and Dr. Aidoo!

04/22/2026

Thank you for all that you do!

Happy Administrative Professionals Day to our amazing team! 🎉

Your hard work, organization, and dedication keep everything running seamlessly — and we appreciate you more than words can say. 💙

Join us in celebrating these incredible professionals today!

04/16/2026

Center for Applied Civic Leadership Director Justin Vaughn and HTC Honors College Dean Sara Hottinger were recently joined by Adam Chamberlain and David Dabreau at the University of South Carolina’s Center for American Civic Leadership and Public Discourse’s Civic Engagement & the Constitutional Order.

04/11/2026

Congratulations, Riley!

🌍✨ Riley Wurz, a junior sustainability and coastal resilience major with a concentration in business and economics and a Political Science minor, is preparing for an exciting season of global and professional experiences.

"I am very grateful for CCU’s study abroad opportunities!" This May, she will travel on the Business Studies in Europe trip to Spain and France and attend the Eurasian Security Studies Seminar Program in the Republic of Georgia.

Following her international experience, Riley will continue her momentum this summer as a marketing and tourism outreach intern with the National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution. 🚀

In this role, she will support astronomy education and science communication by helping develop programs for museum visitors and contributing to initiatives connected to the museum’s 50th anniversary and the United States’ 250th birthday celebration.

On campus, Riley serves as an outreach and engagement intern and Nature Rx ambassador for the Coastal Carolina University Arboretum.

She chose her field of study because she "was inspired by my love for the environment and my interest in using business and communication to create impactful change."

04/01/2026

Be sure to stop by the Sustainability Symposium today! Our own Dr. Pam Martin presented this morning on a state survey around sustainability. She received a sustainability grant and a PEG award to collect and disseminate this data. She’ll be back as a moderator for the 11 a.m. session. View the full schedule here: https://www.coastal.edu/president/presidentscouncilforsustainabilityandcoastalresilience/sustainabilitysymposium/

03/31/2026

CCU HTC Honors College's Center for Applied Civic Leadership hosted the Leadership and the Law Roundtable yesterday. Over 70 CCU students attended and listened to several legal, business, and civic leaders from the Greater Myrtle Beach area discuss how their legal training prepared them to be excellent leaders.

03/24/2026

The Department of Political Science organized this year’s annual meeting of the South Carolina Political Science Association. Nearly 100 scholars across the state came to present original research and discuss current political events! Pictured: Dr. Atiya Stokes-Brown and Dr. Justin Vaughn with Michelle Brandt, organizer of the South Carolina Forum