A Note from the Editor
Welcome back, PSPS! I hope you had a restful and refreshing winter break and are ready to begin the spring semester. We are glad to have everyone back and look forward to the weeks ahead.
This edition of the newsletter is shorter than usual, but it is an important one. Several upcoming events and key deadlines are included, so please be sure to read carefully and mark your calendars.
Here’s to a strong start to the semester- we’re happy to have you back!
Upcoming Departmental Events
These are events our department is hosting in the near future, so keep an eye out!
PSPS Open House
January 23th – PSPS Office Suite, 2nd Floor of 540 McCallie – 1-3pm
All PSPS students are invited to stop by the PSPS Open House! This is a great chance to connect with your professors and fellow students, learn more about PSPS-related student organizations, and spend some time in the department space.
We’ll have refreshments, games, and PSPS swag- so come hang out, ask questions, and enjoy a relaxed afternoon with the PSPS community.
PSPS-related student organizations have been invited to host tables. If you’re an organization officer and didn’t receive the invitation but would like to participate, please contact Ms. Dubendorfer at [email protected].
2026 Undergraduate Civics Symposium
March 20-21st – hosted in Knoxville by the UT Institute of American Civics
PSPS students are encouraged to apply to participate in the 2026 Undergraduate Civics Symposium, hosted by the UT Institute of American Civics in Knoxville. This two-day symposium will bring together undergraduate students from across Tennessee to engage in thoughtful dialogue on the meaning of patriotism and its role in American civic life—especially timely as the nation approaches its semiquincentennial.
Participant Support Includes:
$100 travel stipend, Hotel accommodations, Two meals provided, and PSPS van transportation (departing the afternoon of 3/20 and returning the evening of 3/21)
Please note: this event takes place at the end of Spring Break.
How to Apply: Interested students should complete the application form, which asks how attending the symposium would support your academic, professional, and/or civic goals. Applicants may also describe prior experiences- such as work, volunteering, student leadership, or research- that reflect a commitment to civic engagement. Students with limited prior experience are still strongly encouraged to apply.
Due by: January 29th
Sweet Research Series
Be on the lookout for an announcement of Sweet Research dates soon!
Faculty Features
Our faculty are not only dedicated to providing a world-class education to our students, but are also committed to their own research projects, workshops, journals, and more!
Dr. Saeid Golkar
We’re proud to highlight the recent national and international engagement of UC Foundation Associate Professor Saeid Golkar. Dr. Golkar’s expertise on Iranian politics and civic unrest continues to inform public discourse and deepen understanding of critical global issues.
Dr. Golkar was featured in Newsweek in a piece analyzing political developments in Iran, offering expert insight on the ongoing situation there. He also contributed to a Wall Street Journal story about protests in Iran, providing perspective grounded in his extensive research on authoritarian regimes and social movements.
In addition to media appearances, Dr. Golkar has written for major platforms:
- -His analysis on why a potential U.S. strike on Iran would not necessarily lead to broader war was published with the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.
- -He co-authored a paper published in Foreign Policy that examines the current wave of protests in Iran, focusing on the shift from demands for reform to calls for regime change and the impact of economic collapse on mobilization.
- -He also contributes deep analytical work on Iranian governance and protest dynamics in outlets like Substack’s Persuasion platform.
Dr. Golkar’s scholarship and commentary bring valuable academic perspective to contemporary international affairs, reinforcing the department’s commitment to public engagement and rigorous research.
Dr. Marcus Mauldin
Professor Marcus Mauldin was recently quoted in the Chattanooga Times Free Press in a story examining a local reelection campaign. The article explores the strategies, messaging, and political context shaping the race, as well as what the campaign reveals about current voter priorities and electoral dynamics.
Dr. Mauldin provided expert analysis on how incumbency, voter engagement, and broader political trends influence reelection efforts, helping readers better understand the factors at play beyond the headlines.
We are pleased to see Dr. Mauldin’s expertise contributing to informed public discussion of local politics and elections.
Student Features
Join the PSPS Student Advisory Board
| The PSPS Student Advisory Board will soon be convening for the semester, and we are looking for student members! This board meets once or twice each year to provide feedback to PSPS faculty, helping guide improvements and ensure student perspectives are heard. Membership is open to all PSPS students. To nominate yourself, complete this form and include a brief paragraph explaining why you’d like to participate and what perspective you would bring. Selections will be made in consultation with PSPS faculty to ensure broad representation. Application Deadline: Monday, January 26 Don’t miss this opportunity to make your voice heard and help shape the PSPS student experience! |
University Events
Here are some other cool events happening around campus you should check out:
Closing The Gap: Women, Campaigning, and Local Leadership
January 21st, 2026 – Guerry Center Reading Room – 6-7pm
Writing Letters to Reps
January 21st, 2026 – Lupton Lobby – 11:30am-1:30pm
Historians React to Current Events: Policeman of the Americas? Understanding US Intervention in Venezuela
January 27th, 2026 – 229 Holt Hall – 2-3pm
Free Workshop: How to Write a Discussion Board Post
January 28th, 2026 – Library Room 205 – 11:15-12pm
Getting Started in Undergraduate Research Workshop
January 28th, 2026 – UTC Library Room 209 – 4-5pm
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Criminal Justice Career Expo 2026
February 3rd, 2026 – University Center, Tennessee Room – 10am-2pm
Free Workshop: How to Email Your Professor
February 3rd, 2026 – Library Room 205 – 3-3:45pm
From Curiosity to Courtrooms, a Real-World Look at Forensic Accounting
February 10th, 2026 – Auditorium, University Center – 5-7pm
Free Workshop: Understanding Media Manipulation
February 11th, 2026 – Library Room 205 – 12:30-1:30pm
Spring 2026 All Majors Job & Internship Fair
February 11th, 2026 – University Center, Tennessee Room – 11am-3pm
Academic Calendar
January 25th- Last Day to Withdraw without a W
March 16th- 22nd- Spring Break
March 30th- Last Day to Withdraw with a W
April 3rd- Spring Holiday (No Classes)
April 27th- Last day of Spring Semester Classes
April 29th- May 5th- Final Exams
Quote of the Month
Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’
-Martin Luther King, Jr.
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