WMU Department of Political Science

05/27/2026

WMU political scientist John Clark was interviewed about the Mackinac Policy Conference underway on Mackinac Island. "I think thoughtful discussions of ideas are important for a democracy," Clark said. "If that's what we get out of the Mackinac conference, so much the better."

Surrounded by the crisp blue waters of the straits, the chamber seeing purple, aiming to buck divisiveness.

05/27/2026

05/19/2026

For decades, WMU students have been interning in Lansing through the WMU Capital Internship Program co-sponsored by the Lee Honors College and the Department of Political Science. We're excited to share that for the next academic year, the program will expand to the fall semester!

Through this program, students apply their interests and/or academic study of government and politics to the real world, while gaining professional experience, networking contacts and career insights. Internship placements vary widely including political parties, lobbyists, policy advocacy organizations and the state legislature. This fall, there will be the added opportunity of interning on political campaigns, as well as the traditional placements in Lansing, Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids.

Interns for the fall are being interviewed now, so if you are interested, please contact Fred Schaible, Assistant Vice President for Government Relations, as soon as possible at [email protected]

The Capital Intern Program is open to all WMU students, not just political science majors. Learn more: https://wmich.edu/politics/academics/undergraduate/internships/information

04/14/2026

Congratulations to MIDA student Samuel Marseille for his successful pitch for OneShotAI! Way to go, Sam!

Samuel Marseille's Oneshot AI is health care's first fully automatic, HIPAA-compliant real-time interpretation system, and it just earned him the top prize at Kalamazoo's biggest student pitch competition.

04/14/2026

Congratulations to MIDA student Samuel Marseille for his successful pitch for OneShotAI! Way to go, Sam!

For nine Western Michigan University (WMU) students on Friday night, the answer was Cultivate 269, Michigan's newest and largest student pitch competition.

03/26/2026

is already a huge success! More than 20 donors to PSCI funds, Chair's Challenge met, and an extra bonus for the Final Countdown Challenge! Think you missed out? Procrastinators can have their gift count toward Giving Day until 10 a.m. EDT!

(And don't worry--we'll gratefully accept your support at any time!)

https://www.givecampus.com/s/o60w2e

Join me and make a gift to Western Michigan on Giving Day!

03/25/2026

For Political Science: https://www.givecampus.com/s/o60w2e

03/24/2026

Gifts to Mock Trial count toward the Chair's Challenge!

WMU Giving Day is Wednesday, March 25! Don't want to wait? The early giving window is already open!

You can support Mock Trial through the Political Science Mock Trial Fund (for immediate use) or the Mock Trial Endowment (to support Mock Trial into the future). Every gift helps!

https://www.givecampus.com/s/o60w2e

03/24/2026

PSCI CHAIR'S CHALLENGE 2026!

To mark his 16th year as chair of the WMU Political Science Department, Dr. John Clark will match the first $16 of every Giving Day gift to the Department or its funds up to a total of $320! Clark says, "It's an honor to work with our dedicated faculty and outstanding students. In my role as chair, I have a unique perspective to see all the ways your donations support our students and programs. I'm grateful to our alumni and friends for their trust in us and what we do, and I look forward matching your gifts on Giving Day."

WMU Giving Day is Wednesday, March 25. The early window is open, so let the giving begin!

https://www.givecampus.com/s/o60w2e

03/23/2026

DID YOU KNOW...In 2026, the Political Science Department will award more than $50,000 in scholarships to outstanding undergraduate and graduate students??? Every scholarship dollar originated with a gift to the Department, either for a specific scholarship or in undesignated funds.

WMU Giving Day is Wednesday, March 25. What a great time for YOU to support our students!

https://www.givecampus.com/s/o60w2e