Political Science

Welcome to the 2025–2026 Academic Year

As Dean Freeman announced a few weeks ago, I will be stepping into the role of Head of the Department of Political Science. It is an honor to serve in this capacity, and I am deeply grateful to my colleagues and to the Dean’s Office for their support throughout the process leading to my appointment. I reaffirm my utmost commitment to helping our unit realize its full potential.

I see my leadership role as that of a catalyst—an individual who works to interpret and advance the vision and aspirations of our community of scholars, students, and administrators so that we can become the best version of ourselves. I will work to support and promote our faculty and students in their professional activities and development, and to strengthen our standing within the College and University. To succeed, however, I will need the engagement and commitment of all members of our community, and I invite you to think creatively about ways you can contribute to this shared endeavor. Such a goal will require not only ingenuity but also generosity—thinking about how we can build a stronger, more cohesive, and humane working environment that balances individual and collective goals in accordance with our overall mission.

As we begin this new academic year, I want to reiterate our commitment to the pedagogical and research mission that gives a sense of purpose to our unit. Our dedication to excellence in teaching, scholarship, and the pursuit of knowledge remains our primary goal and guiding compass. We do so in a challenging context: the current political climate and ongoing budget cuts present real constraints, but they also highlight the importance of our work. In such times, our ability to support one another—with empathy, understanding, and solidarity—becomes essential to our collective success.

I am delighted to welcome our new undergraduate and graduate cohorts, whose talent and fresh perspectives will enrich our community. I wish them—and all our students—a positive, productive, and inspiring year ahead. My leadership team and I are here to support you, to listen to your ideas, and to help advance your projects whenever possible.

Over the coming year, we have an interesting calendar of activities planned, including events, workshops, and webinars designed to foster intellectual exchange and collaboration. I hope you will participate actively in these activities, as they will nurture your knowledge and interest in our intriguing and rapidly changing area of study. We look forward to sharing our passion for political science with you and invite you to join us in shaping the future of this dynamic field.

I want to close by acknowledging my predecessor, Professor Evan McKenzie, for his decade of leadership. He served with abnegation and professionalism—often under challenging conditions and at a significant personal cost. I am grateful for his kind support and generosity in ensuring a smooth transition. I also want to recognize the work of the department leadership team: Petia Kostadinova, Director of Undergraduate Studies; Stephen Engelmann, Director of Graduate Studies; and Norma Moruzzi, Associate Head. To give continuity to the work the Department has been undertaking, this team in its entirety will continue to work during the 2025-6 academic year. Special thanks also go to Deanndra Petraitis, Business Administrative Associate and Graduate Program Coordinator, and Courtney Hennington, Administrative Assistant, for their fantastic support in facilitating the transition process and their overall work.

I look forward to the year ahead and to the essential contributions we will make together.

Cordially,

Andreas E. Feldmann

• Andreas Feldmann – Department Head
• Deanndra Petraitis – Business Administrative Associate and Graduate Program Administrator
• Courtney Hennington – Administrative Assistant
• Petia Kostadinova – Director of Undergraduate Studies
• Stephen Engelmann – Director of Graduate Studies
• Norma Moruzzi – Associate Head, Director of International Studies Program