MTSU Department of Political and Global Affairs

06/02/2026

Looking for a class to take in Fall 2026?

Consider taking Professor Syler's Campaign Management class (PS 3340) if you're interested in political campaigning, fundraising, speechwriting, public relations, and more!

In this EXL (Experiential Learning) class, students will break up into fictional campaign groups. There will be candidates and staff members. All students will learn the ins and outs of running campaigns -- from designing logos and slogans to dealing with public relations crises. They will even crossover with MTSU Journalism students to enhance their understanding of working with the press.

Professor Syler brings decades of experience to the classroom. He managed Congressman Bart Gordon’s first campaign for congress in 1984 and his tough re-election campaigns in 1994 and 1996. He served as Gordon’s Tennessee Chief of Staff from 1985 until his retirement in 2011.

This class can count as a PS elective! It's a good fit for students interested in internships or careers within political communication, political campaigning, advocacy and voter engagement, public relations, and more.

06/01/2026

Esprit Westbrook is one of our recent MA in International Affairs (MAIA) graduates! We are really proud of her journey, which is a bit nontraditional compared to some of her peers. Her background was originally in fashion merchandising, but it was a bucket list dream of hers to study international affairs. We are glad to have witnessed Esprit accomplish that dream!

Not only did she excel in her coursework, she also gained invaluable experience through her practicum abroad. She worked with the Estonian Atlantic Treaty Association (EATA) in Estonia for an entire semester!

The EATA is “a non-governmental organization, representing NATO values and raising awareness of security and [defense] questions among citizens of Estonia.”

During her time at EATA, Esprit worked on foreign policy and security studies analysis, toured the Estonian Parliament, visited think tanks, and much more.

One of the most impressive accomplishments was helping organize and co-moderate a panel discussion centered on security, defense, and deterrence. The panel was a a special collaboration between the U.S. and Estonia. Partners included U.S. Embassy Tallinn, Estonia), American Councils for International Education Baltics, CIEE Council on International Educational Exchange, and the Baltic-American Freedom Foundation.

In the classroom, Esprit explored topics of interest including policies related to the military and veterans, foreign policy, Eastern European geopolitics, and security issues. She is pictured here delivering a brief on military medical malpractice.

She carries a special story with her as it relates to servicing our veterans and those impacted by military service. We are very proud of Esprit and look forward to seeing what she does next!

MTSU College of Liberal Arts MTSU College of Graduate Studies MTSU International Affairs Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU)

05/30/2026

Our students routinely intern with United Way and help make a huge impact in the area. Ab E Zannat is one of those great students pictured here!

MTSU College of Liberal Arts Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU)

05/29/2026

Dr. Koti's summer study abroad group has landed in Tanzania! They have already been in the country for about a week and packed in many activities -- from visiting numerous cultural and agricultural sites to making their own coffee!

Every summer, PGA's Dr. Francis Koti takes a group of students from a variety of different majors/programs to the African country of Tanzania.

In just a short span of time, they have packed in many fun activities! They started off strong by visiting a traditional village inhabited by the Maasai people, followed by making their lunch on site and learning about the Chagga people.

They explored the Mount Kilimanjaro-Rift Valley region, including the Lake Manyara area, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (including the famous Ngorongoro Crater and Olduvai Gorge). After some rest, they even canoed on Lake Duluti near Arusha.

The group took some time to visit the Tengeru Cultural Center and crafted their own version of Tanzanian traditional coffee -- the 'Boro Kahawa!

Now, they're making their way to the City of Dar es Salaam, a major coastal city, where they will visit the University of Dar es Salaam, make a trip to see the Kaole Ruins in Bagamoyo, and more. They will close out their trip in Zanzibar.

We are happy to hear they are having a great trip! Safe and fun travels!

05/21/2026

We’ve started welcoming our new PGA students to campus! See our own Ab-E Zannat as SOA leading a group of future Pre-Law students!

05/18/2026

Looking for a job?

The State of Tennessee (government jobs) will have opportunities to attend career fairs in person and virtually throughout the year.

Link: https://www.tn.gov/careers/hiring-events.html

There will be a virtual informational session on May 19th talking about jobs/careers at the State of Tennessee.

There will be a virtual career fair on May 20th from 1:00PM – 2:30PM. After this, there will be other opportunities in June.

As a reminder, you can access MTSU Career Development Center resources year-round, even after you’ve graduated!

Upcoming Events Tennessee State Government Virtual Information Session February 3, 2026, from 1:00 pm to 1:30 pm CST Join this virtual information session to learn about careers with Tennessee State Government and get helpful tips on the application and hiring process. View Event Tennessee State Gov...

05/15/2026

Summer On-Campus Volunteering Opportunity:

"We are seeking 4-5 students to help with the annual CSI summer camp at MTSU. It is a four-day camp for high school students and any help is appreciated. Your role is to hang out with the students as they do the planned activities in the vicinity of the Honors building (outside they will have blood spatter, fingerprinting, and police dog demo).



Dates: June 2-5 and June 9-12



Times: 8:00-4:00 T, W, T, and F



Location: MTSU Honors Building



Times are flexible so you could show up later and leave earlier, if needed. Mid-morning to mid-afternoon is when the students are moving around in groups and when they can use the most help shepherding people. On Friday, you will be free after the whole group moves to the Ingram Building at 12:30-1:00.



Please contact Associate Dean Dye ([email protected]) or Dr. Tom Holland ([email protected]) who leads the CSI camp and FIRE if you are interested or have questions."

05/13/2026

We know we have some creative people in our CLA community! Come paint a tile and be a part of history! 🎨

More info at www.mainstreetmurfreesboro.org.

05/13/2026

Special Announcement!

We can now announce that Dr. Mandi Bailey will be joining us in Fall 2026 as our new Department Chair and faculty member.

Dr. Bailey is currently a professor in the Department of Government in the School of Public Affairs at American University in Washington, DC. She is also Co-editor-in-Chief of The Social Science Journal. Prior to arriving at American, she was Professor of Political Science Studies at Valdosta State University where she was one of four professors nationally to win Pi Sigma Alpha’s Advisor of the Year award in 2023!

She received a PhD in Political Science from the University of Kentucky, an MA in Political Science from the University of Tennessee, and a BA in Communications from Morehead State University.

She has been selected to serve on panels and committees for the National Science Foundation, American Political Science Association, Midwest Political Science Association, Southern Political Science Association, and Pi Sigma Alpha.

Her teaching and research foci are in political psychology, American Political Institutions, and methodology.

She has twenty published or forthcoming books, articles, and book chapters relating to political scandals, social media use, stereotyping, and music and politics in journals such as New Political Science, The Social Science Journal, Social Science Computer Review, the American Review of Politics, Journal of Popular Music Studies, and the National Political Science Review (now the National Review of Black Politics) and presses including the University of Michigan, New York University, and Louisiana State University.

As author of The Downhome Sound: Diversity and Politics in Americana Music, she and her family are thrilled to make Tennessee home.

05/11/2026

Congratulations to the Class of 2026! We are very proud of you, and we will miss you!

Thank you to our student worker, Maria, who made the Senior quotes about what it means to graduate from PGA/MTSU (swipe)!

If you want to submit one.... better now than never! DM or send to [email protected]! :)