Elon’s Department of Political Science and Public Policy editorial leadership of the Pi Sigma Alpha Undergraduate Journal of Politics ends after six years.
Since Fall 2020, Elon University’s Department of Political Science and Public Policy has hosted the Pi Sigma Alpha Undergraduate Journal of Politics, a publication of the Pi Sigma Alpha, the National Political Science Honor Society. The Sigma Upsilon Chapter of the Pi Sigma Alpha is now concluding its two-term duties. The Department of Political Science and Public Policy recently hosted an informal event to honor and acknowledge the students’ and faculty’s leadership.
Elon was selected to host the journal for its faculty’s established commitment to undergraduate research and teaching, the breadth of expertise among faculty in the Department of Political Science and Public Policy, and faculty members’ standing within their areas of study. Each semester about 20 Elon students reviewed (and re-reviewed) more than 100 of submissions, judging each for methodology, thoroughness and originality of approach. At the conclusion of their term, “the journal class” students have evaluated 1,099 manuscripts and published 12 issues.
“Hosting the journal over the past six years has provided an exceptional engaged learning opportunity for our students,” said Eaves, associate professor of political science and public policy and chair of the department. “It reflects our department’s deep commitment to creating innovative and meaningful ways for students to engage in the discipline. I am especially grateful for the many outstanding students whose hard work and dedication have helped produce a truly exceptional publication, as well as for the faculty leadership that has sustained the journal’s success.”
Elon undergraduates have reviewed hundreds of research manuscripts by their peers around the country and some from international institutions, scouring them for the best and most promising angles of political science research.
Baris Kesgin, associate professor of political science and public policy, led the effort to secure the journal for Elon students. During the journal’s first term, three department faculty Laura Roselle, faculty emeritus, Aaron Sparks, and Kesgin served as rotating advisors to the journal. In the second term, Kesgin was the sole faculty advisor.
“The journal offered a tremendous opportunity to grow for our students and an incomparable experience beyond academics,” Kesgin said. “Furthermore, “the journal class” has become a community. The journal elevated our department’s status in the discipline as well.”
Political science majors reflected on their time working on the journal.
- “My time at the journal both reviewing, and graduating to senior editorial positions, has been incredibly fulfilling. Being a serious contributor to the publishing of undergraduate research has taught me so much about leadership, management, and academia that I am sure to carry forward.” – Lana Jacobs ’26, the journal’s content editor in Spring 2026
- “Serving as Junior Editor for the Pi Sigma Alpha Undergraduate Journal of Politics has given me so much insight into the manuscript publication process. My own research skills improved so much throughout my work on the editorial board.” – Mira Fitch ’26
- “Being on the editorial team helped me develop many more skills than I was expecting to. It was enjoyable to constantly learn more about some areas of politics for each review, and to have engaging discussions. The journal was a big part of my Elon experience, and it was a pleasure to be on a team of hard-working individuals.” – Isa Van Schijndel Hemerik ’26
- “The Pi Sigma Alpha journal has had a significant impact during my time at Elon University. As a member of the PSA journal since Spring 2024, Junior editor Fall 2024 and Spring 2025, Lead editor Fall 2025, and currently one of the last senior editors, I’ve been able to witness and contribute to the growth of this journal. I am proud of all we have accomplished and will miss it dearly!” – Mackenzie Perry ’26
Dr. Terri Towner, the president of Pi Sigma Alpha and a previous faculty editor of the journal, congratulated the department and its students in a letter and celebrated them for “taking on an important national leadership role in supporting undergraduate research.”
“Elon students and faculty built a strong, student-centered editorial process that gave undergraduates meaningful experience in peer review, editing, and publication,” Towner said. “The Sigma Upsilon Chapter’s work has made a lasting contribution to Pi Sigma Alpha by expanding opportunities for undergraduate research and publication. Most importantly, the journal runs because of the student editorial team. They reviewed hundreds of manuscripts, made hard calls, and upheld the journal’s standards. This work belongs to them.”
Founded in 1920, Pi Sigma Alpha, the National Political Science Honor Society, is one of the country’s oldest and largest academic honor societies. Membership is open to third and fourth-year undergraduates who have excelled in their studies as well as graduate students and faculty in political science and related fields such as public policy. The society recognizes and promotes high academic achievement in political science and maintains over 800 chapters. Pi Sigma Alpha inducts more than 8,000 members a year and over its 100-year history has inducted more than 300,000 individuals including one U.S. president, three Supreme Court justices, and dozens of members of Congress. Elon’s chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, Sigma Upsilon, was established in 1992 and has inducted nearly 1,000 members since.
The Pi Sigma Alpha Undergraduate Journal of Politics was founded in the spring of 2001 by the Delta Omega Chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha at Purdue University, under the name The American Undergraduate Journal of Politics and Government. With the sponsorship of Pi Sigma Alpha, the name of the Journal was changed to The Pi Sigma Alpha Undergraduate Journal of Politics beginning with the Fall 2004 issue. From July 2007 until July 2010 the Journal was based at the Zeta Upsilon Chapter at Union College, and in August 2010 moved to the Eta Rho Chapter at the College of William & Mary. From August 2013 to Spring 2020, the Nu Omega Chapter at Oakland University hosted the Journal. The Sigma Upsilon Chapter at Elon University has started its term as the editorial home of the Pi Sigma Alpha Undergraduate Journal of Politics in Fall 2020 and is now concluding its service with the Spring 2026 issue.