Pi Sigma Alpha

Pi Sigma Alpha is the National Political Science Honor Society founded in 1920. The Alpha Epsilon Kappa Chapter was established at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg on January 31, 2008. Ours is the 675th chapter of the honor society established.

Membership is open to all students who meet the following criteria:

1) At least 10 credit hours of Political Science coursework

2) At least a 3.0 GPA average in Political Science coursework

3) In the top third of your class at Pitt-Greensburg

4) At least a junior in standing at Pitt-Greensburg

The one-time lifetime membership fee is currently $35

Information on the Alpha Epsilon Kappa Chapter at Pitt-Greensburg:

For updates on the activities of our chapter please click on the following documents to see descriptions of our programs, projects, and from Spring 2009 onward, our annual Chapter Newsletter.

Our Latest Newsletter for Spring 2013 has been published!

Spring 2013 Newsletter

Spring 2012 Newsletter

Spring 2011 Newsletter

Spring 2010 Newsletter

Spring 2009 Newsletter

Spring 2008 Update & Activities

Chapter Bylaws

Interested in joining Pi Sigma Alpha?

Please contact the Pitt-Greensburg Chapter Advisor:
Dr. Paul S. Adams at padams@pitt.edu

 You can also find the Pitt-Greensburg Chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha on Facebook by clicking on the icon below: 

UPCOMING EVENTS AND NEWS

Events for Summer and Fall 2013 will be posted soon!

RECENT EVENTS

Spring 2013 Inititaion & Recognition Ceremony - Friday April 12, 2013 Hempfield Room

The initiation and recognition ceremony for Spring 2013 was held in the Hempfield Room on Friday April 12, 2013 from 11:45am-12:30pm preceding the Honors Convocation later that day. This year we initiated three new student members - David Tamasy, Haley Salera, and Karissa Murphy - congratulations to our new honorees! We also inducted an honorary member for the first time, Pitt-Greensburg Political Science Alumni and Director of Housing & Residence Life, Troy Ross. Congratulation to Troy as well!

Fulbright Speaker at Pitt-Greensburg, 11:30am-12:30pm Thursday April 4, 2013, Village Hall 118

Jess Kuntz, a Fulbright Scholar and Georgetown University alumna, was on campus for an information session entitled “Navigating the Fulbright Application Process: Tips from an Alumna”. Each year, some 1,600 U.S. students travel to more than 155 countries as “Fulbrighters,” conducting field research, teaching English, and acting as the face of the United States abroad. Fulbright alumna Jessica Kuntz shared information about available programs and offered advice on crafting a successful grant application. Students can apply for Fulbrights after graduating, so seniors are most welcome.

In Croatia, Jess researched Croatia’s political culture during its democratic transition focusing specifically on the Yugoslav legacy. She volunteered at the Institute for the Development of Education where she advised local students interested in studying in the United States and co-coordinated the first ever conference for Croatian alumni of American exchange programs. She now works at Edelman Public Relations in the Public Affairs practice group.

  Pi Sigma Alpha Philadelphia Trip -

  March 1-3, 2013

 Pi Sigma Alpha, National Political Science  Honor Society, sponsored a trip to Philadelphia on March 1-3, 2013. We departed from the Greensburg Amtrak Station on Friday March 1 and returned on March 3. The trip included a tour of the National Constitution Center and the special exhibit on the Constitutional Amendments that established and then abolished Prohibition. The groups also visoted the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, City Tavern, Benjamin Franklin's gravesite, Reading Terminal Market, and other stops.

Political Party Information Event, Thursday October 4, 2012 Campana Chapel & Lecture Hall

On Thursday, October 4, 2012 Pi Sigma Alpha co-sponsored and moderated a political party identification and information session with the College Democrats and College Republicans. Representatives of these two campus organizations presented party and candidate positions on issues of the federal budget, foreign policy, and education policy. The session allowed significant question and answer after each set or presentations and found a vibrant and lively discussion of the issues among students and faculty. 

Pi Sigma Alpha Spring 2012 Initiation & Recognition Ceremony - Friday April 13, 2012 11:45am Hempfield Room, Chambers Hall

The Pitt-Greensburg Chapter (Alpha Epsilon Kappa) of Pi Sigma Alpha, the National Political Science Honor Society, will hold its annual initiation and recognition ceremony on Friday, April 13, 2012 from 11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. in the Hempfield Room of Chambers Hall. We will be inductiong our new members, electing new officers, and saying farewell to our graduating seniors. We will award graduation medallions as well as our Member of the Year Award.

We will post upcoming events, meetings, and other items of interest to the Political Science program here. If you would like to add something, please contact Dr. Paul S. Adams at padams@pitt.edu.

Former Pitt-Greensburg Political Science Student Honored

Aaron Misera attended Pitt-Greensburg for two years prior to transfering to the Oakland campus in 2010. While here Aaron was an exemplary student and earned membership in Pi Sigma Alpha, the National Political Science Honor Society. This year, Aaron was honored by the Political Science program at the Oakland campus with the Horace Umberger Memorial Prize for Outstanding Political Science Major.  In addition, Aaron was one of three student speakers at the commencement ceremony for the Communications program at Oakland as well. Aaron has taken an internship with the Delegation of the European Parliament in Washington, DC that works as a liason with the United States Congress. After completing his internship, Aaron plans to pursue a graduate degree.  Congratulations Aaron!

Pitt-Greensburg Chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha wins Best Chapter Award for 2010-2011!

The Alpha Epsilon Kappa chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, the National Political Science Honor Society, has been recognized with a Best Chapter Award for 2010-2011 by the national organization headquartered in Washington, DC. The award is given only to 10-12 chapters per year from the over 730 chapters that are part of Pi Sigma Alpha. Nancy McManus, the Administrator of the National Office, wrote that "these awards are intended to recognize local chapters which are particularly active in their departments and exhibit high levels of eneregy and creativity in furthering the goals of the honor society...Professor Paul Adams serves as faculty advisor to the chapter and should be recognized for extraordinary leadership and dedication to the political science students who are members of the chapter. Indeed, the chapter was just established  three years ago and it is very unusual for such a new chapter to win this award."

The Pitt-Greensburg chapter was chosen as one of the four Best Chapters in schools with enrollment of fewer than 6,000 students. The award also carries a $250 cash prize and will be announced in the Fall 2011 issues of the Pi Sigma Alpha Newsletter and the quarterly journal PS: Political Science and Politics, as well as posted to the national website.