Tinaz Pavri, Ph.D., professor in the Spelman College political science department, says faculty members can’t predict when one of their students will catch and display the spark. But she says they know they will. “It could be from a lecture, a class, or a faculty member. They get an idea and go from there,” in defining and focusing their pursuit of career opportunities through the political science department.
“We have a very versatile program, and there are so many things a student can do through political science,” Dr. Pavri said. “Many set their sights on law school, and we have had students go on to some of the most prestigious law schools – Yale and Harvard Law.” But, according to Dr. Pavri, political science opens a greater world of career opportunities at the state government level, international/global affairs, or the Foreign Service. “This is a department where a student can explore so many different areas,” she said.
One of the largest departments at Spelman, there are about 200 students who either major or minor in one of the department’s two primary tracks: American Institutions and Processes and International Relations. “We are a comprehensive department with faculty experts who can support those diverse interests,” Dr. Pavri said.
In addition to the challenging and diverse course offerings, the department offers many activities to complement the traditional classroom work. There is an active political science society and honor societies. A variety of guest speakers and seminars are offered. “We’ve had students come to class to see that the Rev. Jesse Jackson, an unannounced guest lecturer,” Pavri said. “There’s a lot of activity.”
Political science students also earn opportunities to participate in a range of internships, including with the Congressional Black Caucus and the Jimmy Carter Presidential Center, as well as international opportunities. Spelman political science students also garner prestigious fellowships such as Fulbright and Marshall scholarships for postgraduate study abroad. “They are competitive, but so are our students, who are consistently recipients of these awards,” Dr. Pavri said. “Once they catch the spark, the world is their platform.”
Four Spelman students -- Love L. Lundy, C’2024, Na’Zyia S. Dowdy-Arnold, C'2025, Lauren A. Proby, C’2025, and Cydnee C. Harris, C’2025 -- have earned acceptance into the Public Policy and International Affairs Program and will all participate in the PPIA Junior Summer Institute. The scholars will spend six weeks participating in rigorous summer programming free of charge at one of PPIA’s six campus partners to prepare them for advanced schooling and careers in public service and leadership in both domestic and global affairs.
Harris, a philosophy major and environmental science minor from Detroit, Michigan, plans to improve her mathematic skills and prepare for a master's degree program.
“Throughout the PPIA fellowship, I hope to grow my skills in economics, statistics and other heavy math-related courses to prepare myself better to obtain a master's in public policy, said Harris. "I also plan to enrich my passion for public policy through the knowledge and connections PPIA provides. Lastly, I hope to learn more about the intersections of policy and law to understand better how I can address the injustices in these sectors."
Harris and Proby will attend the Goldman School at the University of California, Berkeley. Lundy and Dowdy-Arnold will attend the Ford School at the University of Michigan.
“As an English major, I know that the PPIA fellowship will provide me with a quantitative perspective to complement many of the qualitative skills I possess. My goal is to walk away from the program with greater confidence for admission and success in policy and law school programs," said Proby. "I am also eager to gain a deeper understanding about what it will require intellectually to continue my development as a public servant."
PPIA is a nonprofit organization that has been supporting efforts to increase diversity in public leadership for 43 years. PPIA’s vision is a thriving and equitable world uplifted by visionary, inclusive and compassionate leaders. Fellows were selected based on merit and their previous, current and stated dedication to public service. The program selected 149 fellows from 33 states, 94 universities, and 21 countries.
"Our 2024 fellows are inclusive of emerging changemakers seeking to dedicate their careers to positively impacting the common good, and they join a prestigious legacy of over 5,000 PPIA Fellows," said Estevan Daniel Delgado, executive director of PPIA.