Liberal Arts

Students launch online chapter of political science honor society

Penn State World Campus chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha is open to students in political science, international politics

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — A group of Penn State World Campus students have formed the first online chapter of the national political science honor society Pi Sigma Alpha.

Eleven students are charter members of the World Campus chapter, Alpha Iota Omega, which is open to students in the bachelor of arts in political science major and the bachelor of arts in international politics major. The two undergraduate degrees are offered by Penn State’s Department of Political Science and Penn State World Campus.

The mission of the honors society is to promote excellence in the study of political science, government, international and public affairs. Members have access to networking, grants, awards, scholarships and other opportunities such as attending talks by alumni and guest speakers virtually.

“We are hoping that members can build relationships and work to support each other’s academic and professional goals,” said student and chapter president Michael Thorgersen, of Brooklyn, New York. “We feel we have the responsibility to lay a solid foundation for future members so they can have the tools they need to derive the best possible experience from the club.”

World Campus students and executive board members Sophia Malerich and Dan Robertson helped form the online chapter.

“I have seen many truly excellent students in my World Campus classes, and I wanted them to have support in extending their impressive ability to create positive learning relationships online beyond the classroom,” said Amy Linch, the faculty adviser for the chapter and lecturer in the department of political science. “They deserve recognition for their accomplishments and the opportunity to develop a community based on their shared study of politics.”

For more information on the political science degree, visit its website. For more information on the international politics degree, visit its website.

For more information on the Alpha Iota Omega chapter, contact Michael Thorgersen at mvt5208@psu.edu.

Last Updated April 3, 2015

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