JMU Department of Political Science

08/11/2025

The Political Science merch store has returned! Check out all the new ways to show your pride in your major.

https://2025-jmu-political-science-fall-store.itemorder.com/shop/home/

04/23/2024

Please join us in celebrating these 4 public servants for their dedication to improving life here in our local community and beyond.

11/03/2023

Congratulations to Madisonian Defense! JMU's four-member team of International Affairs and Political Science undergrads won first place in the Russia-Ukraine War stream of today’s WMGIC x NATO Countering Disinformation Challenge.

Kudos to Justin Frye, Niki Capaldo, Omer Mutlu, and Bella Santos!

10/06/2023

Congratulations to our department’s Rob Alexander and our SCOM colleague Sean McCarthy on receiving the inaugural Catalyst for Transformation Award for their X-Labs International study-abroad program on sustainability innovation in Germany and the Netherlands.

The first inaugural Study Abroad awards to honor exellenent study abroad programs and their directors.

03/30/2023

JMU is proud to participate in the ! Four Dukes are presenting their case for how the EU and US should tackle the global security implications of . Presentations are judged by senior diplomats, foreign policy experts, and reporters.

02/23/2022

As we look back on this busy , we are closing the evening by celebrating the first recipient of a Washington Semester Scholarship: Ruth Esther Johnson.

If you've given to this fund today -- or called (855) 568-4483 to make a donation to the POLITICAL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT FUND or the EU POLICY STUDIES FUND -- thank you for your support!

If you've not had a chance to give yet, you can still give today to the Washington Semester before midnight at https://bit.ly/Wsem2022

Ruth Esther Johnson received the first Washington Semester Scholarship in fall 2016. She interned for U.S. Rep. Rubén Hinojosa. Thinking back on the last week of her internship, Ruth Esther shared: "I was called in the Congressman’s office to present some of my projects. I was very scared because I had completed some of the projects several weeks earlier and I was not fully prepared. Even though the Congressman saw this as normal, I felt out of my comfort zone, which is knowing my information. I was terrified when I went to his office, but I managed. Fortunately, all of the information I learned during the whole internship came to mind. I defended my research and explained to him why he should pursue my project. Then, he asked me to convince him why should Congress fund those bills. I gave the Congressman an important perspective from a student and future employee. It was a great challenge that I managed well, which reminded me of my purpose on the Hill."

https://www.jmu.edu/polisci/ws-recipients-johnson.shtml

02/23/2022

keeps rolling along, fueled by your generosity!

The fund with the most donations between 10pm and 11:59pm will unlock a special challenge gift. You can support need-based scholarships in the Washington Semester programs at: https://bit.ly/Wsem2022

Sydnie Kostelac received a Washington Semester Scholarship in spring 2017. Thinking back on why she applied to the Washington Semester, Sydnie said:: "TI chose the Washington Semester because I felt that the program was something that would make my resume more competitive upon graduating. I was not able to intern during the summers like most college students do, so I knew the Washington Semester program would allow me to intern and take courses at the same time. In addition, as a Political Science major, I have always had an interest in Washington DC as a place to move after graduating, and I wanted to get a taste of what it would be like to live in DC."

https://www.jmu.edu/polisci/ws-recipients-kostelac.shtml

02/23/2022

It's been a productive , thanks to your generosity! As of 9:20pm we had reached our $15k target, by receiving $15,061. We also had received 111 donations -- which was half of the College of Arts & Letters target of 222; this will unlock a challenge gift worth nearly $1,000 to the college.

And there's still time left to increase funding for these Washington Semester need-based scholarships -- and to increase the number of participants toward our aggressive target of 150 today.

The fund receiving the highest number of donations from 10pm to 11:59pm will unlock a special challenge gift of $1,000. You can GIVE at https://bit.ly/Wsem2022 to help fund these need-based scholarships.

Shannon Shevlin received a Washington Semester Scholarship in fall 2017. Looking back on her internship with the Securities & Exchange Commission, Shannon observes: "One of the most memorable highlights of the internship was the fact that I was constantly surrounded by amazingly intelligent and motivated individuals. From a deputy U.S. attorney general to some of the best securities lawyers in the country, I found it to be incredibly rewarding to have the privilege of interacting with these people on a daily basis. Furthermore, the SEC has a very robust internship program that encourages students to grow and learn during their time there. I thoroughly enjoyed brown-bag lunches with professionals from diverse backgrounds and presentations tailored to interns on different topics. I was happy to have such a supportive, motivating, and interesting work environment."

https://www.jmu.edu/polisci/ws-recipients-shevlin.shtml

02/23/2022

Thanks to everyone who has helped our students already today on , including those who donated during this recent alumni challenge window! Thus far we have received 106 donations (toward our goal of 150) and $14,561 (toward our goal of $15,000).

If you've not yet had a chance to give, the fund receiving the highest number of donations from 10pm to 11:59pm will unlock a special challenge gift, while the fund receiving the most donations from current students from 8pm to 9:59pm will also unlock a special challenge gift.

You can support the need-based scholarships provided to students in JMU's Washington Semester program at: https://bit.ly/Wsem2022

Taylor Barrett received a Washington Semester Scholarship in spring 2018. Taylor's advice for future students is: "Take advantage of as many opportunities that come your way, whether it’s participating in events with your internship employer or in DC in general. There are so many free things offered so please take advantage of it. I would also recommend trying as much food as possible while you are there. The food is GREAT and there are so many food trucks, cafes, restaurants and more. Be adventurous and culture yourself with international food too. Last and most important, NETWORK! Get out of your comfort zone to network with professionals and JMU alumni. You will not hear it enough, but these are the people who may potentially help you start your career post-graduation."

https://www.jmu.edu/polisci/ws-recipients-barrett.shtml

02/23/2022

The time is NOW: If you're a JMU alum, there's still 30 minutes to help us win this 6pm to 7:59pm Alumni Challenge by supporting the Washington Semester need-based scholarships!

GIVE NOW at: https://bit.ly/Wsem2022


Luke Robb received a Washington Semester Scholarship in fall 2018. Reflecting on his experiences in the program, Luke shared, "I would have to boil my highlights to three key areas. One of which would be growing close with my classmates as we interned and explored the area in our free time. Second, would be my internship experience at the U.S. Department of Treasury. It had a profound affect on how I thought about problems and went about developing solutions. Lastly, would have to be the special topics class that we took during the week. This class taught me how to think in a different mindset, and challenge me to become and independent thinker with the ability to reinforce my thought process."

https://www.jmu.edu/polisci/ws-recipients-robb.shtml

02/22/2022

Help us make our participation & funding goals right now -- by donating and by sharing this time-specific opportunity.

If you are a JMU alum, then 6pm to 7:59pm is also when your donation can help us to win a challenge that will raise addtional money for the Washington Semester's need-based scholarship program.

GIVE NOW at: https://bit.ly/Wsem2022


As of 6:45, we had received 90 donations (toward a goal of 150) and nearly $12,000 (toward a goal of $15k.

Cate Beard received a Washington Semester Scholarship in fall 2018. Looking back on her internship,, Cate observed, "I think about all the substantive work I was able to do. The fact that I could get up every morning, walk to my office and spend my day really getting involved in my job and in our mission was really important to me. I made so many connections in the process of my internship, and those connections have all turned out to be such supportive friends!"

https://www.jmu.edu/polisci/ws-recipients-beard.shtml