Jonathan Escobar (Political Science: Pre-Law major) is a 4.0 GPA student who recently completed his internship at the US Department of State’s Bureau of Legislative Affairs. Jonathan’s past experiences includes work as a Political Director for a local state campaign, a Planning Internship with the City of Murfreesboro, an internship with Metro Nashville, and work with various political campaigns.

Yusuf Dogan (Political Science major) recently completed an internship at Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN-09)’s office in Washington, DC. Yusuf found his experience very worthwhile, stating that “Having the opportunity to draft questions and remarks for the Congressman during committee hearings, assist with legislative outreach, and engage in the policymaking process has been incredibly rewarding.”

Kaylee Nguyen (International Relations major) interned in DC through our partnership with the Washington Center. She worked at Grossman, Young & Hammond LLC, a leading immigration law firm. She gained valuable experience in humanitarian and immigration law.

Kaylee was one of our Spring 2025 The Washington Center Interns.

Melody Moreno (Public Policy & Management major) was awarded a position at the prestigious Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute in Washington, DC. As part of the program, she interned at the US Senate with Senator Catherine Cortez-Masto (NV).

To learn more about the program, visit https://chli.org/global-leaders/

Kessler Jones (Political Science) recently completed a Summer 2025 internship with the City of Jackson, TN’s Police Department! He was able to learn from various divisions in the Department. In particular, he was drawn to the Special Victims Unit due to how they assist victims of domestic violence.

Kessler completed 120 hours of job shadowing and on-the-job training. He says this about his experience:

“Happy to announce I have finished my summer internship with the City of Jackson, TN police department! It was a great experience to learn how an important part of our criminal justice system operates.”

Kessler is also our most recent Harry Horne International Relations Scholarship recipient. Congrats, Kessler, on a great summer experience!

Renee Tetteh (Political Science – Pre-Law & Honors) won a Gilman Scholarship to help fund her study abroad trip to Senegal this summer 2025!

The Gilman Scholarship, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, enables students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad, gaining skills critical to national security and economic prosperity.

Renee has this to say about this award: “Thanks to Gilman, I can travel this summer and learn firsthand about Senegal’s socio-economic and political systems, and how I can contribute meaningfully to the African continent. This trip is more than just a cross-cultural exchange or academic enrichment. It’s a journey back to my African roots, an immersion into a new dimension of African culture, and a chance to explore and grow.”

Read More: https://mtsunews.com/six-students-earn-gilman-scholarships-summer2025

Jorge Avila (Political Science – Pre-Law & Honors) was awarded a Mann and Potter Scholar position at the Cumberland Connection Law School Immersion Program in May 2025. this program aims to create pathways to legal careers for first generation students and/or those who have overcome significant obstacles.

The CCP is designed to educate students on what a legal career looks like, provide practical insights into the skills required to both practice law and gain admittance into law school, and inspire them to pursue a legal education. Students accepted into the program participate free of charge, including housing.

Participants sit in on real law school classes on topics such as property law, constitutional law, torts, environmental law, civil rights law, and more. Additionally, they learn more about career opportunities in the legal field, about how to apply to and prepare for law school, and how to network in the field.

Learn More: https://www.samford.edu/law/connection

MTSU News covered one of our Tennessee Legislative Internship Program interns for the recently concluded legislative session. To read more, please scan the QR code or visit https://mtsunews.com/journalism-day-hill-legislative-intern-mike-sparks/

Tiffany Parker, a journalism major, wrapped up her internship with local State Representative Mike Sparks, a MTSU alum.

Parker’s internship duties varied, from writing press releases to working on paperwork, answering calls from constituents, doing research and running errands.

The Legislative Program, which is open to all majors/minors, started in 1972. It welcomes students from all around Tennessee to the State Capitol every session.

Rep. Mike Sparks says this about the Program, “All my interns have helped me be more effective, be more productive and more efficient. So I’m proud to get an intern,” said Sparks, who has hired multiple MTSU students to intern in his office. “I think it’s life-changing for them and it’s such an opportunity for them.”

Interested? This is a full-time, paid internship program. Applications come out in September.

Read more: https://www.capitol.tn.gov/Intern/index.html

PGA’s Farrah Renfroe won MTSU’s inaugural Scholars Academy Award presented by Dr. Michelle Arnold, associate vice provost of Student Success earlier in May 2025. The award is given to a first-year student who has been outstanding during their transition to MTSU both academically and personally.

Farrah, a Political Science (Pre-Law) major with a minor in International Relations, definitely embodies a MTSU student who takes advantage of many opportunities both in and outside of the classroom. She is highly active in her community, in civic society, and within campus leadership.

Read More: https://mtsunews.com/university-college-awards-2025/

After 22 years of dedicated service to MTSU and PGA, Dr. Sekou Franklin will be taking on a new position as Executive Director of the John Lewis Center for Social Justice at Fisk University in Nashville, TN. Thank you, Dr. Franklin, for all of your hard work over the years!

To learn more about Dr. Franklin’s new role, please visit: https://www.fisk.edu/university-news-and-publications/distinguished-educator-and-author-joins-fisk-university-as-executive-director-of-john-lewis-center-for-social-justice/

PGA’s Dr. Francis Koti (Global Studies & Human Geography) led a MTSU Faculty-Led Study Abroad trip to Tanzania this summer! The students visited East African Rift Valley which includes Maasai Boma/village, Mto wa Mbu (River of Mosquitoes!), Ngorongoro crater, Lake Eyasi, Ol Duvai Gorge, followed by a trip to the City of Dar es Salaam, and much more.

Numerous Political & Global Affairs faculty received awards or nominations/recognition for their high quality instruction/research, mentoring, and advising within the 2024-2025 academic year!

Dr. Francis Koti (Global Studies & Human Geography – PhD, West Virginia University) won a 2024 MTSU Outstanding Teaching Award!

Dr. Jim Chaney (Global Studies & Human Geography – PhD, Louisiana State University) won the 2025 CLA Faculty Mentoring Award!

Professor Kent Syler (Political Science – MA, MTSU) was nominated for the True Blue Core Outstanding Teaching Award in 2024-2025

Dr. Robb McDaniel (Political Science -PhD, Vanderbilt) & Dr. Michael Federici (Political Science – PhD, Catholic University of America) were recognized by the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society as faculty members who positively influenced newly inducted members!

Dr. Jennifer Woodward (Political Science – PhD, SUNY University at Albany) received the MTSU President’s Commission on the Status of Women Curriculum Integration Grant!

Dr. Lisa Langenbach (Political Science – PhD, Purdue University) was nominated for the 2025 CLA Faculty Mentoring Award! She received the MTSU College of Liberal Arts Faculty Teaching Award in 2017.

Dr. David Trowbridge (Political Science – PhD, SUNY University at Albany)
was nominated for the 2025 CLA Faculty Teaching Award!

Dr. Jon DiCicco (International Relations, PhD, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey) was nominated for the 2025 CLA Faculty Mentoring Award and the 2025 CLA Faculty Research Award!