Navigating the Political Waters: McKendree Sets Students up for Success
Politics have always been interwoven in everyday life, perhaps now more than ever. Upcoming or passed legislation, politicians, and election news seem to punctuate headlines across news outlets every day. It’s imperative that we – especially our young people – understand the realm of politics, know how it will impact our lives, and become active participants, whether by casting our votes, signing petitions, or learning law and changing the world one step at a time. McKendree’s political science and international relations degrees, led by passionate and knowledgeable professors, consistently help our students reach their goals, analyze the world around them with a critical and discerning eye, and go on to become trailblazers in their local communities and beyond.
Getting Our Students Engaged, Energized, and Ready to Vote
As the elections roll closer, McKendree is taking an active role in getting its students as prepared and informed as possible. This semester the university has held several events on campus regarding the upcoming elections, including a Constitution Day on National Voter Registration Day this September, a watch party for the presidential debate, and an interactive Brown Bag presentation from Dr. Ann Collins, professor of political science, regarding what’s on the ballot. At each of these events, students had the opportunity to register to vote, whether they’re local or they live states away from their home.
Bearcats overall care more about the political world around them in recent years and are driven to learn more and become full participants. More are taking the time to ensure that they’re registered – or become registered – to vote this semester. Additionally, 100 students turned out for the presidential debate watch party in the Hett with many registering to vote that evening. This engaged participation is reflected in a recent recognition that McKendree received from the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge regarding its nonpartisan democratic engagement efforts, which fostered high levels of student voter engagement, especially during election years. McKendree recently received the Silver Seal for achieving a student voting rate between 30 and 39 percent in 2022.
“Our students realize that their voices matter, and they intend to have a seat at the table in making decisions for their lives,” Dr. Collins said. “Our students are why I remain optimistic about the future!”
Shaping the Future in Surrounding Communities
McKendree isn’t just preparing students to vote and helping them become more informed. Model United Nations (Model UN) is also wildly popular, both at the college and high school level. Dr. Brian Frederking, professor of political science and 1990 alum of McKendree, has
been teaching at the university for 27 years and has also been a Model UN advisor the whole time. McKendree’s Model UN club began participating in college-level Model UN conferences in 2005 and regularly attends the American Model United Nations (AMUN) conference in Chicago. They also frequently bring home several sought-after outstanding delegation awards, both as individuals and as formed “countries.”
“Model UN is a terrific program. There are many ways to be a good delegate: know the topics, write well, speak well, organize and get people working together, and more. Playing the role of someone else teaches empathy,” Dr. Frederking said.
McKendree also plays host to multiday, high-school-level Model UN conferences on its campus every semester. Typically, 16 local high schools – which averages out to about 400 students total – attend these sessions, playing the roles of particular countries as McKendree students run the committees. These events involve several moving parts and preparations; one student is chosen as the Secretary General, who is in charge of coordinating with all the high school advisors and ensures that the conferences run smoothly.
“Our students are often amazed at how the high school students manage to negotiate a complicated topic and eventually pass a resolution,” Dr. Frederking remarked. “We want them to learn that compromise, civility, and problem solving is really possible if everyone is committed to it. Humanity has solved important problems in the past, and we want these students to have the confidence that they will continue to do so.”
Making Waves Near and Far
While in school, Bearcats dip their toes into the waters and make themselves known on and off campus. Naya Busbea, a 2024 political science graduate, was honored with the Paul Simon Democracy Prize for designing and implementing projects to revitalize democracy in the community when she was a junior. Maria Vitoria Salomao, an international relations major from Brazil and 2024 graduate, was honored with the Technos International Prize during the undergraduate commencement ceremony for her outstanding academic achievement and commitment to the cause of international understanding.
What’s more, McKendree’s political science and international relations programs have an astounding track record when it comes to sending students to law school, preparing them for graduate school, and equipping them with everything they need to work directly in the public sector. Several students have gone on to prestigious graduate and law schools and have worked for the U.S. State Department, the Department of Energy, the Federal Reserve, the U.S. Nuclear Security Administration, the Defense Department, congressional offices,
and state government offices. Some Bearcats are in the military, including naval intelligence, the Marine Corps, or at West Point as a professor. Some are lawyers, prosecutors, and defense attorneys. You might have even heard of alum Zak Kilhoffer helping to write a European Union (EU) legislation regulating social media companies.
“Our students are out doing important things in the world! They’re smart, passionate, and wonderful human beings, and they’re building upon what they’ve learned here and applying it out in the world,” Dr. Collins said.
Some political science and international relations alumni plan to return to campus to present at the university’s upcoming inaugural Lifelong Learning Exploration Day on Nov. 5, an all-day event that promotes and shares knowledge with the campus community from experts in the field, including faculty, staff, and alumni. These alumni work for the State Department, the World Bank, the Federal Reserve, and more.
“Our students tend to stay in touch with their professors after they graduate. It isn’t uncommon for them to say, ‘thank you’ for helping them become so prepared for law school or grad school, especially when it comes to case briefs!” Dr. Collins said.
