{"id":96,"date":"2026-09-03T13:29:21","date_gmt":"2026-09-03T13:29:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.utc.edu\/political-science-and-public-service\/?p=96"},"modified":"2026-09-04T13:29:14","modified_gmt":"2026-09-04T13:29:14","slug":"fall-2026-september-newsletter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.utc.edu\/political-science-and-public-service\/2026\/09\/03\/fall-2026-september-newsletter\/","title":{"rendered":"Fall 2026: September Newsletter"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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A Note from the Editor<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And speaking of stopping by- we\u2019re 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\u2019d love to see you. Come upstairs, say hello, ask a question, or just come meet the people who make PSPS happen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Upcoming Departmental Events<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

These are events our department is hosting in the near future, so keep an eye out!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Sweet Research Series<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Sarah Heise<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

September 16th \u2013 MCB 462D \u2013 11:30am<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Perceptions of Issue Ownership in the United States<\/span>“<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Upcoming:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Michelle Evans- September 30th<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Dedication to the Cause? Persistence in Achieving Equity in Nonprofit Leadership<\/span>“<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Start Strong: A PSPS Semester Jumpstart<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Come make a vision board, work on your semester goals, and spend some time getting to know your fellow PSPS students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Basics of Law School with our Pre-law Advisor<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Basics of Preparing for Law School During Undergrad<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

September 14 \u2013 4 p.m.\u2013 Dr. Trevor Samaha<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Designed for first\u2011 and second\u2011year students, as well as anyone who has recently begun exploring the possibility of law school. We\u2019ll 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Basics of Applying to Law School<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

September 21 \u2013 4 p.m. \u2013 Dr. Trevor Samaha<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019ll 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.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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9 to 5: A Dolly Parton Celebration<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

September 25th \u2013 Derthick 201 \u2013 5pm<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Faculty Features<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Dr. Saeid Golkar<\/h2>

Expertise Beyond the Classroom<\/p>

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.<\/p><\/div>