Alumni Profiles

Meet Some Former Political Science Students!

The Political Science Major is just the start of your journey! Whether you plan to go on to graduate school, law school or right into the workforce, the Political Science major will prepare you for your next step. Read about some of our former students to see where their major has taken them!

Political Science Major, 2000

On completion of her undergraduate studies at Western, Kiku went on to earn an MA in Theological Studies from George Fox Evangelical Seminary in 2008, an MA in Political Science from Villanova University in 2010, and her PhD in Political Science...

Political Science Major, 1971

As a student at Western Washington University, Rey Pascua put his time to good use majoring in Political Science and Ethnic Studies, participating in varsity track for four years as a Viking, completing an internship with the Office of Equal Opportunity..

Political Science Major, 1993

Political Science was a natural strength for me. Local, state and national topics were always discussed at the dinner table and amongst family. On heading to university, it felt like I should explore every avenue and pursue my most natural strength...

Political Science Major, 2006

When I began my undergraduate studies at WWU in 2002, I was unsure of the path I would take. Introduction to International Relations was the first Political Science course that I took, and I quickly discovered my passion for International Affairs...

Political Science Major, 2005

I found my way to Political Science entirely by accident. In my second year at Western, I decided that I wanted to major in International Relations—a major that wasn’t offered by Western at the time.

Economics & Political Science Major, 2014

I actually planned to major in political science since before completing high school. I've always enjoyed discussing politics with people. It's something that impacts everyone, whether they realize it or not.

Political Science Major, 2014

Though I always liked to discuss politics when I was in high school, when I came to college my intended major was Biomedical Engineering.

Economics & Political Science Major, 2011

I started out as an economics major, but took some political science courses out of personal interest. And the more political science courses I took, the more I loved them.

Political Science Major, 2010

Western’s department provided a well-rounded introduction to the discipline, and I had a blast in my IR and comparative politics classes. Comparative Electoral Systems, IR of East Asia, and the Politics of Democratization were some of my favorites...

Political Science Major, 2009

Attending WWU was one of the best decisions I ever made. I was one of the rare freshman students to know exactly what I wanted to major in (political science) – and then kept...

Political Science Major, 2005

I found my way to Political Science by way of the literature, sociology, and business courses I took when I first got to Western. Each time I tiptoed down one of those...

Political Science & Social Studies, 2010

From a young age I found individuals who could explain the complexity of international, economic and domestic issues to be the smartest people in the room. In my first...

Political Science Major and Economics Major, 2012

Presenting a paper at the Political Science Association Student Conference. I would highly recommend current students to challenge themselves and present...

Politics, Philosophy, Economics Major, 2012

When I started college I was not set on any particular major, I just took classes that seemed interesting, a number ofwhich were political science.

Political Science Master of Arts, 2011

All my professors at Western had an impact on me in some way, but my experience with Professor Alper was very influential. Dr. Alper helped me to...

Political Science Master of Arts, 2010

I first attended Western in 05/06 as an exchange student from Germany. Although I was a British and American Studies major at home, I soon took...

Human Rights Major, 2010

My interest in political science was born out of an upbringing that always required me to ask ‘why?’. My parents refused to give me short answers...

International Political Economy Major, 2010

Political Science provides a lens by which you can assess the triumphs and failures of our world today. It allows you to understand both history and the present by...

Political Science Major and East Asian Studies Major, 2008

My decision to pursue Political Science at Western stemmed from the diversity of theoretical and regional expertise in the department and the ability to...

Political Science Major, 2011

Currently, I am working in the U.S. Congress for the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Prior to my time on Capitol Hill, I received my M.A. in political science (emphasis: U.S. Congress) with distinction from Villanova University...

Political Science Major, 1972

More than 40 years ago, alumnus Bryn Beorse left the comforts of the WWU campus with a BA in Political Science (1972). Graduating at the time of a difficult recession, he found the job market challenging and returned to Western for additional studies...

Political Science, 2016

Political Science, 2001