Student Organizations

Our department showcases a number of extracurricular organizations and honor societies, where students apply lessons learned in the classroom, and in turn develop interpersonal and team-building skills. Strengthen your resume through establishing connections, networking with professionals in the field, and exercising teamwork towards common goals.

Political Science Undergraduate Student Council

The mission of the Undergraduate Student Council is to address the needs of the undergraduate community, enhance the intellectual life of undergraduates in the department, and help promote the growth of the department. The council serves not only as a bridge between students and faculty, but between the department and the community.

Fifteen undergraduate students serve on the council, along with Department Head Nathaniel Birkhead and academic advisor Kathy Lillich as acting overseers. New members are selected every year, of which an e-mail how and when to apply will be sent out to political science majors from the department.

 

OSPASS

OPSPASS stands for Organization of Political Science Public Administration and Security Studies. OPSPASS is a student group where anyone at any degree level, from any program in the Department of Political Science can be a member. The purpose of OPSPASS is to:

1. Gather together individuals from Kansas State University and the local Manhattan area interested in Political Science, Public Administration, Security Studies and other disciplines related to these topics.
2. To promote the professional, educational and civil interests of students associated with the Political Science Department at Kansas State University. If you have a particular question, we would be happy to help!

For those interested in joining, please contact the department (polsci@ksu.edu).

We hope to see you at our next meeting!

 

Pi Sigma Alpha

Pi Sigma Alpha is the National Political Science Honor Society based in Washington, D.C. The purpose of Pi Sigma Alpha is to recognize and promote high academic achievement in the field of Political Science. Each year, Kansas State University's chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha will induct eligible students (with a 3.7 or higher GPA in their core courses) into the national organization.

Students interested in joining should contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Dr. John Fliter.

Pi Alpha Alpha

Pi Alpha Alpha is the Global Honor Society for Public Affairs and Administration. The purpose of Pi Alpha Alpha is to encourage and recognize outstanding scholarship and accomplishment in public affairs and administration. Its objectives, such as fostering integrity, professionalism, and effective performance, promote the advancement of quality in the education and practice of the art and science of public affairs and administration. PAA membership identifies those with the highest performance levels in educational programs preparing them for public service careers.

Students interested in joining should contact the Director of Public Adminstration, Dr. Ethan Bernick.

 

K-ASPA (Kansas American Society for Public Administration)

The Department of Political Science has an active K-ASPA student organization. Participation is an excellent way of meeting other graduate students and keeping up-to-date with departmental news and events. K-ASPA is expected to foster professionalism among students. The American Society for Public Administration is the largest and most prominent professional association for public administration. It is dedicated to advising the art, science, teaching and practice of public and non-profit administration. ASPA's four core values are Accountability and Performance, Professionalism, Ethics and Social Equity.

For more information, please contact the Director of Public Administration, Dr. Ethan Bernick.