Pi Sigma Alpha
Pi Sigma Alpha, the National Political Science Honor Society, is the only honor society for college students of political science and government in the United States. The Articles of Incorporation of Pi Sigma Alpha state as one of its purposes "to stimulate scholarship and intelligent interest in political science."
Pi Sigma Alpha was founded in 1920 at the University of Texas for the purpose of bringing together students and faculty interested in the study of government and politics. The success of the honor society at the University of Texas prompted other institutions to apply for chapters. There are now over 687 chapters of Pi Sigma Alpha located on college and university campuses in every state of the United States and in Guam.
At EIU, membership is open to students with a 3.0-or-better GPA in Political Science classes, as well as overall, and the completion of at least three political science courses, at least one of which must be at the 3000 level or higher. Students are invited to join the Honor Society each year when they meet the requirements for membership.
Pi Sigma Alpha members at EIU have participated in diverse intellectual activities, including panel discussions in observance of Constitution Day and political debates surrounding local, state and national elections. Members have also traveled to political science conferences and presented research papers produced in classes. They have also reached out to the community by sponsoring Political Science Essay contests at the high school level to increase awareness and interest in political issues.
If you are interested in being considered for membership in Pi Sigma Alpha, please contact the Faculty Advisor in the Political Science Department, Dr. Lilian A. Barria (labarria@eiu.edu). Students are also invited to visit the national Pi Sigma Alpha website at http://www.apsanet.org/~psa/.
