A Note from the Editor
Welcome back, PSPS! A new semester is officially underway, and September is the perfect time to get involved, meet people, and start building the experiences that will make your time at UTC memorable.
One of the best things you can do early in the semester is show up. Come to an event, meet a professor outside of class, join a student organization, attend a research talk, or stop by the PSPS office just to say hello. You never know which conversation might lead to your next opportunity.
And speaking of stopping by- we’re back home! After our temporary move during construction, the Department of Political Science and Public Service is once again on the fourth floor of McCallie. Our offices are open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., and we’d love to see you. Come upstairs, say hello, ask a question, or just come meet the people who make PSPS happen.
Upcoming Departmental Events
These are events our department is hosting in the near future, so keep an eye out!
Sweet Research Series
Dr. Sarah Heise
September 16th – MCB 462D – 11:30am
“Perceptions of Issue Ownership in the United States“
Upcoming:
Dr. Michelle Evans- September 30th
“Dedication to the Cause? Persistence in Achieving Equity in Nonprofit Leadership“
Sweet Research is a chance to step outside the classroom and learn about the research our faculty are doing right here at UTC. Grab something sweet, bring your questions, and come see what your professors are working on. If you’d like to present at a Sweet Research event, please let Dr. Heise know!
Start Strong: A PSPS Semester Jumpstart
Ready to start the semester strong? Join us for Start Strong: A PSPS Semester Jumpstart, a casual event designed to help you set your goals, get organized, and think about what you want out of this semester.
Come make a vision board, work on your semester goals, and spend some time getting to know your fellow PSPS students.
Whether you have your entire semester planned out or are still figuring out what day of the week it is, come hang out with us!
Basics of Law School with our Pre-law Advisor
The Basics of Preparing for Law School During Undergrad
September 14 – 4 p.m.– Dr. Trevor Samaha
Designed for first‑ and second‑year students, as well as anyone who has recently begun exploring the possibility of law school. We’ll walk through the full undergraduate timeline: what to focus on each year, when to begin LSAT prep, etc. Discussion of how majors, coursework, internships, and campus involvement fit into the broader law school admissions picture. Provide a clear roadmap and practical next steps students can start using immediately. Plenty of time for Q&A.
The Basics of Applying to Law School
September 21 – 4 p.m. – Dr. Trevor Samaha
Designed for juniors, seniors, and anyone actively preparing to apply to law school. We’ll break down each component of the application and CAS report. Discussion on what admission committees are actually looking for. We’ll also discuss how to research schools, build a balanced list, and navigate deadlines without feeling overwhelmed. Students will leave with a structured plan and a clear sense of how to present their strongest possible application. Plenty of time for Q&A.
9 to 5: A Dolly Parton Celebration
September 25th – Derthick 201 – 5pm
Join us for an evening celebrating Dolly Parton and her incredible cultural, philanthropic, and political legacy. More details coming soon- keep an eye on your email and PSPS social media for updates!
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
Expertise Beyond the Classroom
If you’ve been following international news this summer, you may have seen Dr. Saeid Golkar’s name in the headlines.
Golkar has continued providing expert analysis on Iran and the Middle East, recently speaking with major media outlets about political developments and leadership in Iran.
His work is a great reminder that political science doesn’t stop at the classroom door- our faculty are actively contributing to conversations happening locally, nationally, and internationally.
Dr. Jeremy Strickler
Political Science in the News
Dr. Jeremy Strickler recently spoke with Jed & JR Mornings about socialism in America, bringing his expertise in political science to a broader public audience.
Whether they’re speaking with journalists, publishing research, or working directly with students, PSPS faculty are constantly connecting their scholarship to the issues shaping our world.
Dr. Sarah Heise
Talking Elections
Dr. Sarah Heise has continued to bring her expertise in American politics and elections into the Chattanooga community. Following the latest Hamilton County election results, she spoke with Local 3 News about what the results could mean heading into the midterm elections and beyond.
It’s a great example of how the work our faculty do in the classroom and through their research connects directly to the political conversations happening around us.
Student Spotlight: PSPS Open House
PSPS kicked off the new semester on August 28 with our annual Open House, bringing students, faculty, staff, and student organizations together to celebrate the start of another year.
For student worker Matthew, who had attended the Open House previously, this year’s event felt like a major upgrade. Students got the chance to see our new offices on the fourth floor of McCallie, meet new professors and reconnect with familiar faces, and learn more about the student organizations that help make PSPS such an active community.
Matthew was especially excited to see organizations like the Political Science Club and Pre-Law Society represented and is looking forward to seeing what they have planned for students throughout the year. Having our student organizations at the Open House was an important part of our goal this year: giving students opportunities to find their people, discover ways to get involved, and connect with organizations they might not otherwise know about.
“I believe shaking hands and a good introduction is a key step to making a long-lasting connection with anyone, whether staff, professors, or even peers.” -Matthew Polk, PSPS Student Worker
Whether it was meeting a new professor, talking with a fellow student, checking out a student organization, or simply finding your way around our new space, the Open House was all about making those first connections. We’re excited to keep building on that community throughout the semester!
University Events
Here are some other cool events happening around campus you should check out:
Where Do You Stand? Jubilee Event
Wednesday, September 9 2026 at 6:30-8:00pm
Derthick 201
Hosted by: UTC College Democrats and UTC Political Science Club
American Identity Today: A Discussion
Friday, September 18 2026 at 5:30-6:45pm
McCallie 110
Hosted by: UTC Political Science Club
UTC College Democrats General Body Meeting
Wednesday, September 23 2026 at 6:30-7:30pm
Derthick 201
Study Abroad Info Session
Wednesday, September 16 2026 at 2:00-3:00pm
Brock Hall 401
Mocs Marketplace
Thursday, September 17 2026 at 12:00-4:00pm
Oak St in front of Founder’s Hall
Apply to be a vendor by September 10th
Career Connections: Employer Panel
Monday, September 21 2026 at 12:30-2:00pm
UTC Library: Southern Writers Room 440
All-Majors Career & Internship Fair
Wednesday, September 23 2026 at 11:00am-3:00pm
UC 2nd Floor, Tennessee Room
Academic Calendar
September 6- Last day to drop a class without a “W”
September 7- Labor Day- No classes
Library Workshops
- -Excel: Formulas and Functions
- -EndNote Desktop
- -How to Email Your Professor
- -What is an Annotated Bibliography?
- -Know Yourself, Grow Yourself: Career & Self-Development NACE Competency
- -Tips for Taking Great Notes
- -How to Read a Scholarly Article
- -How to Do a Literature Review
- -Avoiding Plagiarism
- -Organize Your Life
- -Get Your Computer Organized! File Management for College Success
- -Photoshop Basics
- -Excel: Back to Basics
- -Excel: How to Make Visually Stunning Charts
- -Citing Sources in APA
- -Microsoft Word for Undergraduates
- -Developing a Personal AI Ethics Threshold
- -Excel: Organizing Data with Tables and PivotTables
- -PowerPoint: Back to Basics
Library Open House
Wednesday, September 16, 2026 at 1:00-3:00pm
Library First Floor
Quote of the Month
The future depends on what you do today.
– Mahatma Gandhi
Make September the month you start.
Get Involved!
Do you have news, photos, or events to share?
Office
540 McCallie Building
4th floor Suite
Hours
Mon-Fri: 8am – 5pm
Follow Us!
Follow us on Facebook!
Follow us on Instagram!
Visit our website: Here!
Leave a Reply