Career fairs, guest speakers, interest meetings, and more!
Spring 2023
Alumni Panel Discussion on Life After Mary Washington
Join us for an alumni panel discussion, sponsored by the PSIA department and the College of Arts and Sciences, on “Life After Mary Washington: Public Service Careers in the Commonwealth.” This alumni panel is in honor of Bill Leighty ’78 and his decades of public service to the Commonwealth. Various alumni panelists will share their experiences and advice for public service.
This panel features the following alumni:
Amy Atkinson (’93), Virginia Commission on Youth
Chris Winslow (’01), Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors
Erik Johnson (’03), Virginia Community Action Partnership (VACAP)
Tom Allison (’07), State Council on Higher Education in Virginia (SCHEV)
Time: Thursday, April 13, 2023 at 4:00 PM in the Digital Auditorium, Hurley Convergence Center (HCC).
For questions, contact Professor Farnsworth at: sfarnswo@umw.edu or ext. 1404.
Talk with Alum Bill Leighty ’78
Join us for a talk, sponsored by the PSIA department and the College of Arts and Sciences, from UMW Alum Bill Leighty ’78. Bill Leighty is a former chief of staff to Virginia Governors Warner and Kaine. He will discuss his new book Capitol Secrets: Leadership Wisdom from a Lifetime of Public Service.
Time: Thursday, April 13, 2023 at 12:30 PM in Monroe 116.
For questions, contact Professor Farnsworth at: sfarnswo@umw.edu or ext. 1404.
Professional Development Workshop with Anna Howell
Join the PSIA and WGST departments for an interactive workshop in learning about life after Mary Washington in the working world led by Anna Howell, a UMW graduate from 2012 and current Vice President of People & Recruiting at EvolutionIQ. She will provide advice to students on careers, graduate school and the process of looking for jobs including tips and insider knowledge to help you launch and thrive in your career.
Time: Monday, April 10, 2023 at 4:00 PM in Lee 411.
For questions, contact Professor Rosalyn Cooperman at: rcooperm@umw.edu
Fulbright Scholar Leticia Gonzalez Discusses Women in Region-Building
Join us for a talk, sponsored by Fulbright and the PSIA department, from Fulbright Scholar Leticia Gonzalez. She is from Buenos Aires, Argentina and examines feminist theory in international relations and South American regional cooperation. At this talk, she discuss the place of women and gender issues in region building processes (focusing on the Common Market of the South – MERCOSUR) and the outcome of a more comprehensive integration when women are part of the process.
Time: Monday, April 3rd, 2023 at 4:00 PM in Monroe 116.
For questions, contact Professor Melissa Martinez at: mmartin9@umw.edu
Alumni Career/Graduate School Panel Sp’23
Join the department for a panel discussion of life after UMW.
This features the advice and experience of the following alumni:
Zachary Handlin (’20), William and Mary Law School, Third Year Student
Shirley Martey Hargis (’14), Consultant on China, CRDF Global’s Data and Technology Program, Executive Director of Black Professionals in International Affairs
Natalie Lemay (’18), State and Local Contracts Manager, Carahsoft Technology
Theo Stamatis (’20), Government Relations Manager, Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce
Emma Thomas (’20), Intelligence Analyst, Illuminate Mission Solutions
Time: Thursday, March 30, 2023 at 5:00 PM on Zoom with details below.
Meeting ID: 824 5079 0402
Passcode: 530343
For questions, contact Professor Emile Lester at: elester@umw.edu or phone extension 1146.
View the Zoom recording below!
Spring 2023 Career Panel
Passcode: 1#ucP5nU
The War in Ukraine: One Year On – Panel Discussion and Q&A
Join the department for a discussion on the War in Ukraine featuring various speakers:
Kelly A. Greico, The Stimson Center
Arthur L. Speyer, III, Marine Corps Intelligence Agency and UMW Adjunct Professor PS/IA
John M. Kramer, Professor Emeritus, PS/IA
Jason Davidson, Professor PS/IA
Time: Monday, February 20, 2023 at 4:00 PM in Monroe 116.
For questions, contact Professor Davidson at: jdavidso@umw.edu
Fall 2022
Guest Lecture with Dr. Amitav Acharya
Amitav Acharya is Distinguished Professor of International Relations at American University, Washington, D.C., where he holds the UNESCO Chair in Transnational Challenges and Governance at the School of International Service, and serves as the chair of the ASEAN Studies Initiative. Acharya, a prolific scholar, has made contributions to a wide range of topics in International Relations, including constructivism, ASEAN and Asian regionalism, and Global International Relations.
Friday, November 11th, 4:00-5:00 PM: Monroe 346
Global Gag Rule & Reproductive Rights Guest Lecture
Join guest speaker Rebecca Dennis, Associate Director of U.S. Policy and Advocacy at PAI for a talk about the Global Gag Rule and the advocacy work of the PAI, an advocacy group focused on accessible, quality health care and the sexual and reproductive rights of women and girls.
October 31st, 11:00 AM: Monroe 110
Guest Lecture on Free Speech
Join guest speaker Gabe Walters, an attorney with FIRE (the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression) and 2003 UMW Alum, for a discussion of current cases where students’ free speech is under threat and cases where politicians attempt to curb faculty members’ academic freedom.
Tuesday, October 18th, 3:00 Pm: Monroe 211
Elections Guest Lecture
In 2000, President George Bush’s name was listed first on every ballot in Florida, and he won that State and the Presidency by the narrowest of margins. In 2016, Donald Trump had a similar experience. Have the outcomes of many recent elections been influenced by the order of candidates’ names on ballots? This talk proposes a theory of why and when such effects might occur and reviews the body of studies that have explored this issue in the U.S. and a dozen other countries. Spotlighted in this talk will be reanalysis of older data and analysis of newly collected data to shed light on the conditions under which name order effects occur, their magnitude, whether different research methods lead to different conclusions, and whether the States should reform their ballot design practices.
September 12th, 12:00 PM: Monroe 346
Monroe Hall Block Party Event
Join us for snacks, conversation and fun with faculty and students.
Hosted by: AMST, Anth, Econ, Geo, Hist, IA, PoliSci, Psych, Soc/Anthro, and WGST departments.
September 22nd, 4-6 PM: Palmieri Plaza
Spring 2022
Talk with Dr. Erin Accampo Hern
Dr. Hern is an Assistant Professor in the Political Science Department at Syracuse University. Her research examines political behavior in Africa. She will share her insights from her book ‘Developing States, Shaping Citizenship.’ Please come join us!
Friday, April 8th, 4pm- 5pm, on Zoom.
This guest speaker is sponsored by the Department of Political Science and International Affairs at the University of Mary Washington. If you have any questions about this guest lecture, please contact Professor Martinez at mmartin9@umw.edu.
Looking Back, Looking Ahead: Virginia’s 2021 Elections & the 2022 Congressional midterms Panel Discussion and Q&A
Rosalyn Cooperman, UMW Professor of Political Science, Department Chair
Stephen Farnsworth, UMW Professor of Political Science, Director, UMW Center for Leadership and Media Studies
Time: April 5, 2022 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) on Zoom.
This panel is sponsored by the Department of Political Science and International Affairs at the University of Mary Washington and is a special program for Mary Wash Giving Day. If you have any questions about this panel, please contact Professor Cooperman at rcooperm@umw.edu.
Alumni Career/Graduate School Panel
On Thursday, March 31, 2022 at 5 PM in Monroe, Room 346.
Featuring the experience and advice of the following alumni:
Neil Burke (’13), Masters of Public Administration, Virginia Tech Management and Program Analyst, Internal Revenue Service
Shirley Martey Hargis (’14), Consultant on China, CRDF Global’s Data and Technology Program, Executive Director of Black Professionals in International Affairs
Rachel McVicker (’21), Research Assistant for the Center of Naval Analysis, China and Indo-Pacific, Security Affairs Division
Andrea Shaia (’16), Associate at Freedman, Framme, and Thrush Law Firm Richmond, Virginia
Andrew Sharpe (’19), Graduate Student in University of Virginia Masters of Public Policy Program Finalist, Presidential Management Fellow
Contact Professor Lester at elester@umw.edu or ext. 1146 for details or questions!
The War in Ukraine: Panel Discussion and Q&A
Update in International Affairs!
The PS and IA department has successfully completed a revision of the International Affairs major requirements. Please go to the International Affairs major requirements page for the updates.
Fall 2021
UMW PSIA Hosts 88th District Debate
Democrat Kecia Evans, Republican Phillip Scott and Libertarian Tim Lewis will face off live via Zoom, with public viewing accessible through YouTube. Incumbent Mark Cole (R) announced earlier this year that he would not seek reelection after nearly two decades in office. The 88th district covers part of Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania, Stafford and Fauquier counties.
“While COVID has forced us to debate online this fall, we can look forward to vigorous discussions about the path forward for Virginia,” said moderator Stephen Farnsworth, UMW professor of political science and director of the University’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies. Click here to learn more!
POLITICAL SCIENCE & INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS PROSPECTIVE MAJORS MEETING
MEETING OPTIONS
Zoom Option: OCT 19, 2021 05:00PM, HTTPS://UMW-SSO.ZOOM.US/J/84910411480?PWD=ZG5WAEFAUHO3V01JAXJRZW85YZC2UT09
In Person Option: OCTOBER 20, 2021, 5:00PM, MONROE 346
Meet PS/IA faculty and majors to learn more about the department, major programs, internship, research, and study abroad opportunities.
Questions? Contact Professor Cooperman, rcooperm@umw.edu
Gender, Nation-building, and Politics in Afghanistan: the Last Two Decades
After the fall of the Taliban in 2001, political stakeholders in Afghanistan went to work to write a constitution and lay the foundation of a new, democratic political system. A significant focus of this nation-building effort was to provide representation and rights to women. Our speakers will discuss these processes, the outcomes of these efforts and the likely future prospects for women and politics in Afghanistan after the Taliban’s return. Click here to watch the event on YouTube!
When: Oct 19, 2021 07:00 PM Eastern
Where: Zoom
Click here to learn more about the event!
A Roundtable on the Implication of the US Withdrawal from Afghanistan
At the end of August 2021, US forces withdrew from Afghanistan ending a twenty-year presence in that country. Scholars and analysts have praised and criticized the move in equal measure. As we try to make sense of the events, a host of questions emerge: Why did the US withdraw from Afghanistan? Is this a good policy decision for the US? What does the decision mean for Afghanistan? What does it mean for the countries in its neighborhood? What impact will the withdrawal likely have on the Biden administration? The speakers on the panel will address these and other related questions.
When: 4-5:30 pm on Thursday, September 23 2021
Where: On Zoom.
Click here to watch the recording of the event!
Click here to learn more about the event!
Spring 2021
2021 Career Panel
Wednesday, March 24 at 7 PM: 2021 Political Science and International Affairs Careers and Graduate School Panel Discussion! Featuring the experience and advice of alumni:
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- Caitriona Cobb (’17) John Hopkins SAIS, Middle East Studies Program (’19) Africa Content Manager, Tesla Government Inc.
- John Cronin (’19) Office of the Governor, Virginia Management Fellow
- Kate Miceli (’13) State Affairs Counsel, American Association for Justice
- Edward Scheirer (‘16) Law Clerk for the Honorable Kathleen Beckstead at the Circuit Court for Wicomico County. Associate, Cockey, Brennan, & Maloney
- Michael Ware (’12) Intelligence Operations Specialist, US Department of Homeland Security – Office of Intelligence & Analysis.
VIEW RECORDING HERE:
Contact Prof. Emile Lester for details: elester@umw.edu or ext.
“94 Paradoxes to Consider in the 21% Century” Book Event
On Wednesday February 10, 2021 at 4pm, the UMW PSIA department will be hosting a virtual book event with author Leopoldo Martinez Nucete. Click the image to view larger and learn more! Zoom link will be posted soon.
Fall 2020
Understanding The Election with Professor Farnsworth
Tomorrow (Thursday, November 5th) at 6pm Professo
r Farnsworth will be covering the 2020 election and explaining the occurrence of events. Join him by using one of these two links: bit.ly/umwfarnsworth or via YouTube: https://youtu.be/S6I2xt_ETB4
Presidential Leadership – With Good Reason
On October 31st, With Good Reason podcast radio will be doing a segment on Presidential Leadership in the United States. Click here to tune in!
BEYOND THE BALLOT
Wednesday October 28th at 7pm a panel of guest speakers and UMW professors will discuss the historic role of religion in American Politics and its unique position in this years election. RSVP for this event by clicking here. Click the flyer image for the full sized PDF with full information!
None of the Above:
On Wednesday October 28th at 6pm, a panel will discuss how to address common excuses for not voting and how to convince your friends and family to vote on election day. Tune in on Facebook live by clicking here!
Professor Larus on The Importance of Taiwan
Professor Larus will be on On Liberty podcast out of Sydney, Australia today at 7pm discussing “Why the world needs a free Taiwan”. All are welcome to watch and call in. Tune in by clicking here.
The U.S. Census and the 2020 Elections
On Tuesday 13 October 2020 at 12:30pm ET, Stacy Whitehouse will discuss the US Census, the 2020 elections, and her work involving with both. To attend, click here or on the image for the flyer and zoom link! Reach out to Professor Cooperman if you have any questions.
Click here for a recording of the talk!! passcode: J&G.u^2e
Beyond the Classroom: An Endowment for Student Research and Learning
The Dean of the college of Arts and Sciences announces a new endowment for student research.
click here to learn more.
Student Political Theory Discussion
UMW Students are welcomed to join UVA students in their discussion of political theory on Sunday, October 4th at 5 PM Eastern Time. The discussion will be about Immanuel Kant and Benjamin Constant’s political writings. Come prepared to discuss these three readings:
- Kant, Idea for a Universal History from a Cosmopolitan Point of View (1784): https://www.marxists.org/reference/subject/ethics/kant/universal-history.htm
- Kant, An Answer to the Question: What is Enlightenment? (1784): https://www.marxists.org/reference/subject/ethics/kant/enlightenment.htm
- Constant, The Liberty of the Ancients Compared with that of the Moderns (1819): http://platypus1917.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/constant_liberty.pdf
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82275969776
If you have any questions, reach out to Professor Larus or the student coordinator from UVA, Kaiwen.
VA First District Debate
The Virginia First District Congressional Debate [online] will be at 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21. at Mary Washington. Click here for more details here.
Spring 2020
Due to COVID-19, March-May 2020 events were cancelled. In replacement, alumni sent in career information and our website displays all the great things about our students, professors, and department as a whole! Check out our student news, alumni news, faculty news, departmental honors, and all the pages on this website!
Professor Cooperman and Professor Farnsworth: COVID in Context
As part of UMW’s Covid in Context course, Professor Cooperman and Professor Farnsworth recently delivered a lecture titled “Covid and the 2020 U.S. Presidential and Congressional Elections” – click here to watch.
Fall 2019
Gender in Afghan Culture and Refugee Resettlement
Speakers: Ms. Kristen Larcher and Ms. Nasira Talib Catholic Charities, Fredericksburg
Wednesday, November 13 Monroe 212 12:00-12:50 pm
Catholic Charities helps immigrants and refugees in Fredericksburg by providing services such as legal immigration consultation and representation, English-language instruction, adult education programs, workforce development training, naturalization assistance, bilingual community education, and refugee resettlement and assistance services. In this lecture, Ms. Larcher and Ms. Talib will share their insights on the intersection of culture and gender in the context of refugee relocation.
Virginia House of Delegates Speaker at UMW
Speaker: Virginia House of Delegates Speaker Kirk Cox (R, Chesterfield)
Monday, November 11, 2019
“Reviewing the October 2019 Canadian Elections”
Dr. Jeffrey Ayres, St. Michael’s College
Thursday, October 24
9:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
Monroe 116
PS/IA Major Interest Meeting
Interested in majoring in Political Science and/or International Affairs?
Thursday, October 24th 5 p.m.
Lee 411
Blind Spot?
Khaled Elgindy discusses his new book, Blind Spot: America and the Palestinians from Balfour to Trump, on the US role in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. A key adviser to Palestinian peace negotiators from 2004-09, he’s now a senior fellow in the Brookings Institution’s Center for Middle East Policy. Open to the public.
Wednesday, October 23rd 4:00-5:30 p.m.
Lee Hall 411
The Idea of International Justice: Policy and Practice
Arthur Traldi, Team Leader on the Prosecution of Ratko Mladic before the International Criminal Tribunal
Tuesday, October 22nd 4 p.m.
Monroe Hall, Room 116
Regulation, Corporate Social Responsibility, and Conflict Minerals
Dr. Virginia Haufler, associate professor in the Department of Government and Politics at the University of Maryland
5 p.m. on Thursday, October 3rd
Monroe 346
Dr. Virginia Haufler is Associate Professor in the Department of Government and Politics at the University of Maryland, College Park and is affiliated with the Center for International Development and Conflict Management. Her research focuses on the changing nature of governance in the global political economy, especially the role of transnational corporations and corporate social responsibility. Her current research examines how transnational regulation of the private sector addresses issues of conflict and corruption. She has published extensively on this topic. She has a M.A./Ph.D from Cornell University and dual B.A. from Pennsylvania State University.
Why Are Poor People Poor? A Conversation About the Demographics of Poverty and Why It Got That Way
Ann H. Kloeckner, Esq. Executive Director, Legal Aid Works®
Monday, September 30 Monroe 210 12:00-12:50 pm
Ann Kloeckner joined Legal Aid Works® in 2011 to take the helm. Ann hails originally from Vermont and is most recently from Texas, with a non-linear career path emphasizing public service and advocacy on behalf of survivors of domestic violence. Ann has law licenses in four states (PA, NJ, TX, and VA) and is a graduate of Swarthmore College and Villanova University School of Law, where her stint at a legal aid clinical program nurtured her passion for equal justice and her tolerance of a nonprofit lifestyle. She enjoys mentoring new attorneys and maintains a robust schedule of public speaking engagements throughout the seventeen-county service area. Ann was appointed in 2016 by the Virginia Supreme Court to a three-year term as a member of the faculty of the Harry L. Carrico Professionalism Course, which is mandatory for every newly licensed attorney in Virginia.
28th District House of Delegates Debate
Wednesday, September 18, 7 p.m.
Lee Hall, Room 411
Joshua Cole, Democrat
Paul Milde, Republican
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