Montana State University Political Science Department

10/04/2026

Ask your questions!

Hello Fellow Citizens of MSU-land (this is a broad and inclusive category, so if you’re reading this, you’re included!) My name is Sara Rushing, and I am lucky to be a professor in the department of Political Science. I’ve been at MSU since 2008, teaching the

09/02/2026

Join us for this excting event. All are welcome!

05/23/2025

Congratulations, Dr. Shanahan!

Elizabeth Shanahan, a professor of political science at Montana State University, has received a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program award to Australia, where she will investigate Australian public responses and policy development related to the prevention of emerging infectious disease.

Shanahan will collaborate with a researcher in the University of Wollongong’s School of Health and Society to study what motivates people to support strategies for preventing zoonotic spillovers — the transmission of pathogens from animals to people — and how to design disease prevention policies that will meet with compliance from the public. The project is based on the One Health approach, which gained attention around the world after the COVID-19 pandemic. One Health sees the quality of global health as a function of the interconnectedness of human, animal and environmental health. Challenges remain in translating this concept into effective policy with public acceptance, Shanahan said.

To read more about Dr. Shanahan's Fulbright scholarship, visit: www.montana.edu/news/24565

12/15/2023

Congratulations and best wishes for the future endeavors of our newest crop of MPA graduates!🎉🎊

10/09/2023

Very excited to share this news about our awesome colleague, Dr. Shanahan!

Political science professor Elizabeth Shanahan will contribute her expertise in the area of risk communication.

09/19/2023

This weekend, the Political Science Department will be memorializing former MSU colleague Jerry Calvert on Saturday, September 23 10:00 am at the Dahl Funeral Home and then celebrating his life at the Story Mansion at 4:00 p.m. The Department has set up a Memorial Scholarship in his name to celebrate his scholarship, his service, and all the students he touched during his very long career at Montana State. If Jerry meant something to you in your life, would you consider giving? Here's a link to the scholarship, which is meant to support student at MSU: http://msuaf.org/calvert . It would me a ton to us and to Jerry's legacy.

If you’d like to give to a different campus initiative, please click here and search to find the area of the university that you would prefer to support. If you have any questions about processing a gift or other donation options, please call our gift processing team at 406-994-2053 or send an em...

08/23/2023

Today was Kelsey’s last day with our departments. After 8 years, she is moving to Helena and starting on a new career path. “It has been my absolute pleasure serving our departments over the last 8 years. I will miss our students so much and will continue cheering them on from afar. My email is staying the same, so make sure you stay in touch! With love, Kelsey”. 💙💛

08/23/2023

And we’re back for another semester! We can’t wait to see you, bobcats! 💙💛

08/02/2023

Former adjunct political science instructor, Thomas Goltz, recently passed away after a long illness. He taught a popular Model Arab League course that won regional and national competitions. Goltz will be missed by the many students he positively affected. Rest easy, Thomas.

https://www.azerbaycan24.com/en/american-author-thomas-goltz-passes-away/?fbclid=IwAR0xSzcTdE9eyKbtlKsD1VSSVZYUI3HOc41F3ygCcyQgKh9tUTrsx9sjNEQ

07/26/2023

It is with a heavy heart we share the passing of our friend and colleague, Jerry Calvert. Dr. Calvert joined the department in 1972 and taught for 38 years, becoming a national authority on elections, the Constitution, and western politics. His contributions to our department, MSU, Montana, and our nation cannot be understated. In honor of Jerry, his work, and lifelong commitment to democracy, we have created the Jerry Calvert Memorial Scholarship. Donations can be made to the MSU Alumni Foundation.

Rest easy, Jerry, we will miss you.

View Jerry William Calvert's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.