Iowa State University

Iowa State University

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Department of Political Science

Got a question or comment?
Contact us at 515-294-7256 or polsci@iastate.edu
FAX: 515-294-1003

James McCormick
Chair
Department of Political Science
503 Ross Hall
Ames, Iowa 50011

Alex Tuckness
Director
Public Policy and Administration Program
Graduate Education
503 Ross Hall
515-294-8910

Dana Schumacher
Academic Advisor
557 Ross


Department Highlights

2006-07

Undergraduate Program

  • The Department had 65 undergraduate majors received their degree in Spring 2007
  • Twenty three percent (or 79) of our majors made the Dean’s List in fall 2006.
  • Sixteen of our majors were National Merit, National Achievement, or National Hispanic Scholars during this year
  • Ten percent (or 33) of our majors are in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Honors Progra
  • Nine of our majors were nominated for Phi Beta Kappa and four of our majors were nominated for Phi Kappa Phi
  • Three of our majors won University-wide or College-wide awards in 2007:
    • Rohini Ramnath—the Wallace E. Barron All-University Senior Award this year and a $24,000 Rotary scholarship for graduate study
    • Karin Brandt –the LAS Student International Excellence Award
    • Nicholas Dial—the Charles A. Frederiksen Leadership Award

      This was the fourth year in a row in which a political science major was the recipient of the Wallace E. Barron Award, and we have now had seven Barron Award recipients since 2000.  This was the second year in a row in which a Political Science major has been selected for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Student International Excellence Award.

Graduate Program

  • The Department had 16 graduate majors receive their degrees in 2006-2007.
  • Number of graduate majors continues to be strong with 56 students enrolled.
  • Kimberly Claypool has been appointed to an administrative position at Habitat for Humanity.
  • Jessica Kinser continues in her position with the ISU Purchasing Department.
  • Brenton Saron remains as a Special Projects Assistant with the Alcoholic Beverages Division for the State of Iowa.
  • Sandra Sun was working with the Wall Street Journal on the Asian desk.
  • Colin Hennessy was selected for the James Socknat Internship at the World Bank.

2005-06

Undergraduate Program

  • This year the Department had 354 Political Science undergraduate majors. Approximately 100 students graduated this year, with a record number of 80 in Spring 2006.
  • The Department's enrollment in fall 2005 semester totaled 1940. Spring 2006 enrollment totaled 1622.
  • Twenty-two percent (or 79 students) made the Dean's List in the fall 2005 semester. (Twenty percent or more of our majors earn this recognition every semester.)
  • Twenty-one of our majors are National Merit, National Achievement, or National Hispanic Scholars.
  • Six of our majors were nominated for Phi Beta Kappa in March 2006.
  • Thirteen of our majors were nominated for Phi Kappa Phi.
  • Three of our students won University-wide or College-wide awards in 2006:
    • Angela Groh - Wallace E. Barron All-University Senior Award
    • Tony Borich - Wallace E. Barron All-University Senior Award
    • Elizabeth Rock – LAS Student International Excellence Award

Graduate Program

  • During academic year 2005-06, there were a total of 20 students who received graduate degrees from the department [15 Master of Public Administration (MPA), 1 Master of Science in Information Assurance (MSIA), and 4 Master of Arts (MA)].
  • Number of graduate majors is currently at 72, with the number of MPA students leading the way.
  • Total graduate enrollment-including majors and non-majors-remains some of the highest in recent history.
  • Jackie Dycke-Norris, the 2005 recipient of a James Madison Fellowship for the State of Iowa is currently pursuing a MA degree in political science at Iowa State. Only one Madison Fellowship per state is given out
  • Andrew Haugen (MPA) has been awarded a national 2006 Presidential Management Fellowship.
  • Sarah Schillerstrom (MPA) has received the prestigious L.P. Cookingham Management Internship for the City of Kansas City, Missouri.
  • Heather Stephenson (MPA '05) has been appointed by Governor Vilsack to the Child Advocacy Board.

2004-05

Undergraduate Program

  • This year the Department had 394 Political Science undergraduate majors, among the highest number of majors in the history of the Department. Approximately 100 students graduated this year, with a record number of 68 in Spring 2005.
  • The Department's enrollment in fall 2004 semester totaled 2137. Spring 2005 enrollment totaled 1756.
  • Twenty-three percent (or 99 students) made the Dean's List in the fall 2004 semester. (Twenty percent or more of our majors earn this recognition every semester.)
  • Twenty-one of our majors are National Merit, National Achievement, or National Hispanic Scholars.
  • Nine of our majors were nominated for Phi Beta Kappa in March 2005-the fourth highest of any department across Iowa State University.
  • Thirteen of our majors were recognized as within the top 2% of their class within the College.
  • Three of our students won University-wide awards in March 2005:
    • Basil Mahayni - Wallace E. Barron All-University Senior Award
    • Tony Borich - David J. Henry All-University Leadership and Academic Excellence Award
    • Drew D. Larson - Carnot H. Thomas and Lillian M. Thomas Leadership Award

Graduate Program

  • Number of graduate majors has increased significantly from 26 graduate majors in 1999 to 78 graduate majors in 2005, with the number of MPA students leading the way.
  • Total graduate enrollment-including majors and non-majors-are some of the highest in recent history.
  • During academic year 2004-05, there were a total of 21 students who received graduate degrees from the department (18 Master of Public Administration, 2 Master of Science in Information Assurance, and 1 Master of Arts).