Undergraduate Program Stories
At Idaho State University, the first Bachelor's degree in Political Science was awarded in 1947 when Political Science was part of a Social Science Division. In the 1950s, the degree moved to the Department of Government and then the Department of Political Science. Our graduates enjoy success in graduate school, law school, and various careers in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. In 2013, the Department of Political Science is starting a project that will highlight some of the stories of our undergraduate graduates.
Meghan Herrman, Class of 2013
Becoming a Political Science major at Idaho State University was the best thing I could have done for my undergraduate career. During my time at ISU, I was able to learn and obtain knowledge from many different subject areas. The classes I took broadened my mind and my horizons. I was able to study South American Politics, Public Administration, Environmental Politics, State and Local Government, Federal Government, Central American and Caribbean Politics, International Politics, and so much more. The professors in the Political Science department are phenomenal and were always willing to help with just about any question or concern I had. My degree allows me to apply for a vast number of jobs in many fields. Having a Political Science degree does not mean my only career option is to become a politician. There are so many opportunities you just have to know where to look. Soon I will be applying for graduate schools and I know without a doubt that I was given the knowledge and skills needed to further my education.
Walter Radovitch, Class of 2013
My name is Walter Radovitch and I am an undergraduate alumni of the Idaho State University Political Science Department. I will be using my degree to pursue a Master's of Science in Coastal and Oceanic Policy from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, with the eventual goal of completing my Ph.D. at the University of Washington, Seattle and finding a university teaching position. My experiences in the Political Science Department have well-prepared me for this journey.
My experiences as an undergraduate in the ISU Political Science have been wonderful. The faculty are very well-versed in their research areas, provide materials and lessons to students that can be applied in real-world situations, and go above and beyond to help students graduate. One of the things I found most interesting about the Political Science Department is the different areas of politics that are covered: environmental, international relations, comparative, American politics, political theory, courses on conflict and developing nations, and voting/public opinion. This broad range of different classes to choose from sparked my interest in the program, because it offered me the chance to study government that was not specifically related to the United States. This proved to be quite interesting. I also had the privilege of working with Dr. Donna L. Lybecker, who served as my undergraduate advisor and council advisor while I was the president of the ISU International Affairs Council. The Political Science Department here at ISU provides many opportunities for its students and teaches them the skills they will need for their future careers.