Welcome!

Political science is more than just examining government structures and discussing elites currently in office. It is the study of who has the power to make laws for a society, the institutional structures that guide how this power is used, who benefits and who loses when this power is used, and the relationship between power and policy in a society. Political science students therefore study voting, elections, the structures of government institutions, and how governments around the world differ and interact.

Our diverse faculty hold degrees from some of the most prestigious universities in the country.  They are specialists in local, national, and international politics. Faculty have published research and teach classes on American politics, environmental politics, the philosophy of law, public policy, comparative politics, and international relations. To see a list of recent faculty publications, please click here.

Congratulations to our outstanding graduates!

Robert Cordova – 2025 Outstanding Masters of Public Administration Graduate and COSS Graduate Dean’s Medalist

Robert Cordova began his time at Fresno State as an undergraduate student in the Smittcamp Family Honors College in 2018, earning his Bachelor’s of Arts in East Asian Languages, Cultures, and International Relations in 2022. At that time, he became heavily involved in campus sustainability, serving on the student-led Sustainability Task Force. As a graduate student, he joined the campus Arboretum Committee and ASI Sustainability Committee to develop water-conserving landscape, tree planting, and composting projects to improve campus sustainability. He has served as an AmeriCorps Fellow with the California Climate Action Corps since 2021, earning a Lifetime Achievement Award for 4,000 hours of volunteer service to his community from President Biden in 2025. To complete his Masters of Public Administration degree, his thesis research focused on reducing plastic waste in California by transitioning to a circular economy. He plans to continue his career in public service fighting climate change and developing the circular economy in California.

 

Kate Richardson and Lola – 2025 Outstanding Political Science Graduate

Kate Evelyn Richardson is the 2025 Outstanding Undergraduate in Political Science. graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a minor in Criminology, Kate completed her degree in just three years and is a Smittcamp Family Honors College Presidential Scholar. Kate also participated in the College of Social Sciences Honors Program, where she presented her research on “Disability Rights at California State University, Fresno.” She is a founding member of the Fresno State chapter of the League of Women Voters, and served as Treasurer and Vice President during her tenure. In addition to her academic and civic pursuits. She is also a proud member of Pi Sigma Alpha, the National Political Science Honor Society. After graduation, Kate will attend the University of San Diego School of Law on a full tuition merit based scholarship, where she plans to further her commitment to justice and advocacy through a career in law.

Lola is Kate’s service dog. Lola is a multi-purpose service dog, serving as a critical support partner in both academic and daily environments. She graduated from the California Service Dog Academy in 2022, equipped with a comprehensive skill set to assist with a range of tasks to support Kate. Throughout her academic journey, Lola attended every class, lecture, and event that contributed to Kate’s achievements. Lola will also be continuing her career at the University of San Diego School of Law.

 

Huabshiab Lee – 2025 Karl Svenson Award Recipient

Huabshiab Lee is a Political Science major with a minor in Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies. After graduation, Huabshiab will pursue her MA in Political Science at CSU Sacramento, where she hopes to focus her studies on women's politics. After earning her MA, she plans to teach at community colleges before applying for to Ph.D program in Political Science. 

 

Anthony Lopez –Outstanding Graduate Thesis, Honorable Mention, 2025

Anthony Lopez is a proud member of the Manchester-Point Arena Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians. He is graduating with a Masters in Public Administration. Anthony's thesis, "Sacredness In Preparedness: An Indigenous Model of Public Administration," has been given an honorable mention for outstanding graduate thesis. His thesis examines the administrative frameworks within organizations dedicated to Native American populations. The thesis thoughtfully critiques the conventional rational model of public administration and advocates for the more inclusive New Public Service model, which acknowledges and values Indigenous knowledge. By amplifying the voices of the Native American Community of the Central Valley through the Fresno American Indian Health Project, it showcases resilience amidst adversity, emphasizing the essential role of cultural sensitivity in health services that honor and meet the unique needs of these communities.

 

Congratulations to Political Science major Camalah Saleh for her election as ASI student body president and for being a finalist for the Truman Scholarship.

Read the story here.

Political Science majors compete at the 2025 Model United Nations, with teams representing Israel and Iran winning awards

 

We offer a bachelor's degree in political science and a master's degree in public administration. Our students have gone on to work in city, county, and state government, and a variety of other careers in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Many now work in Washington, D.C. or around the world. Several have even been elected or appointed to public office.  Others have gone on to law school and doctoral programs in political science, including the following:

 

 Notable Alumni

We believe that all of our alumni are notable, but here are a few you may have heard of, or who may give you an idea as to some of the career possibilities open to political science majors.

• Lee Brand, Mayor of the City of Fresno
• James E. Brumm, Former director of Mitsubishi International
• Cruz Bustamante, Lt. Governor of California
• Tony Capozzi, Attorney and former president of the California State Bar Association
• Luis Chavez, Fresno Unified School District Board of Education
• Jim Costa, California State Senator and Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
• Larry Farnsworth, Legislative Assistant to U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert
• Simon Haeder, Assistant Professor of Public Policy, Pennsylvania State University
• Diane Johnson, professor and chair of the Department of History and Political Science, Lebanon Valley College
• Mike Karbassi, Fresno City Council
• Ernest Kinney, Attorney
• Devon Mathis, Member of the California State Assembly
• Peter Mehas, Fresno County Superintendent of Education and CSU Board of Trustees
• Harry Papadakis, Judge
• Jim Patterson, Mayor of Fresno and California State Assembly
• Rosendo Peña, Jr. - Associate Justice, California Court of Appeals
• Henry Perea, Jr., Fresno City Council and California State Assembly
• Armando Rodriguez, Fresno County Superior Court Judge
• Victor Salazar, Fresno County Clerk
• Phillip Sanchez, U.S. Ambassador to Honduras and Colombia
• Edward Sarkisian, Judge
• Mark Scott, Fresno City Manager
• Arthur Svenson, Professor of Political Science, University of Redlands
• David Tangipa, Member of Assembly
• Mike Villines, Member of Assembly and Assembly Republican Leader
• Ian Wieland, Attorney

 

Direct all questions, comments, and complaints about this webpage to Dr. Holyoke.