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Department
Newsletter
Spring 2015
Volume 4
Upcoming Events:
03/21/2015
Last day to drop
with a “W” for
Global Learning is coming to USF in Fall of 2015
Spring 2015
03/23/2015
Registration
begins for
Summer/Fall
2015
04/24/2015
Spring semester
The Global Citizens Project is an exciting opportunity for students that serves as a response to
a growing demand for global learning. The project is also USF’s five year Quality Enhancement
Plan (QEP) which is a specific plan designed to enhance
student learning and is required by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) in order for USF to
reaffirm its accreditation. The Project includes adding
global dimensions to the education curriculum, an
awards system for global student citizens, and creates a
new capacity for global engagement on campus.
2015 classes end
04/25/2015—
05/01/2015
Spring semester
finals
05/01/2015
The Project helps prepare students for success in today’s
global society and rewards students who complete tasks
such as attending cultural events on campus, enrolling in
foreign language studies, study abroad, or creating a Global Citizen Portfolio documenting
their adventures as global citizens. Students who are interested in pursuing their own Global
Citizen’s adventure can visit www.usf.edu/gcp, or can attend any of the program’s workshops
taking place from March 11th to April 23rd. A List of the workshop’s dates are listed below.
Commencement
05/08/2015
Spring 2015
grades visible on
Oasis
05/11/2015
First day of
classes for
Summer 2015
March 11th—2:30-3:30 pm—SOC 159
March 16th—10:30-11:30 am—SOC 132
March 24th—3:00-4:00 pm—SOC 155
April 2nd—3:30-4:30 pm—SOC 155
April 14th—11:00-12:00 pm—EDU 316
April 17th—1:30-2:30 pm—SOC 1553
April 21st—5:30-6:30 pm—SOC 155
April 23rd—4:00-5:00 pm—SOC 155
Global Student Citizens on a study abroad trip to Panama in 2013.
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Political Science Student Profile: Victoria Pearce
Victoria Pearce at WFLA News Channel 8
In the fall of 2014, Victoria Pearce engaged in an opportunity with
Political Science Professor Susan MacManus where she researched
local and national elections, issues such as polling, campaign finance,
political advertisements, and more resulting in a final PowerPoint
presentation that would aid Professor MacManus at various
speeches and presentations following the elections. Victoria was
also able to work alongside WFLA News Channel 8 where she
reported election results and provided information for continuous
election coverage to Professor MacManus. In addition to Pearce’s
valuable experience with Professor MacManus, she has also worked
on the annual Sarasota County Citizen Opinion Survey, the
USF-Nielsen Sunshine State Survey, and a book project called
Minority Trailblazers in Florida State Politics. Victoria is a student
who has made the most out of her time at the University of South
Florida, as she has interned with the Washington Center for
Internships and Academic Seminars in 2013, served as a member of
the Pi Sigma Alpha Honor Society, and the Chi Omega Fraternity. She
has gained an untold amount of experience in the past two years,
transforming into a leader and someone who can inspire fellow USF
students to engage in the many opportunities available to them
through the Department of Government and International Affairs.
Interested in Study Abroad? Join USF in London this Summer
USF in London
Interested in spending your summer exploring one of the
world’s most cosmopolitan cities? Between its rich history,
vibrant city life, and world class entertainment, London
remains one of the primary destinations for students from
across the globe. Join USF students and the GIA department’s Dr. Solomon this summer for a four week experience in the heart of London all while earning USF direct
credit towards the INT or POL majors.
Dr. Solomon is teaching two courses this summer while in
London (INR 4931 Foreign Policy and “The Special Relationship” and POS 3931 Anglo-American Citizenship in the
Age of Migration).
USF Education Abroad Main Office
4202 East Fowler Ave. CGS101
Phone: (813) 974-4314 (from 8:00am -5:00pm)
For more information visit: http://educationabroad.global.usf.edu/index.cfm
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>>> GIA Featured Alumni: Andrea DeMichael
USF graduate Andrea DeMichael never expected to end up a
Domestic Abuse Victim Advocate in San Diego, California, but her
story sheds light on the twists and turns that come with
post-graduate life and how our happy ending is sometimes not what
we expect. Andrea graduated from USF in 2006 with her B.A. in
Political Science. She went on to receive her J.D. in 2009 from
Florida Coastal School of Law and for the next few years worked as
an Assistant State Attorney in Florida’s Tenth Judicial Circuit. In
2013, a change occurred in Andrea’s life that would alter the course
of her career. She began working on private criminal defense cases
and one case in particular where Andrea represented a young
woman accused of bullying another woman to death made
international news. The case caused a media frenzy Andrea
worried she could never escape. She was invited to discuss the case
on numerous television programs such as Dr. Phil, Good Morning
America, the Today Show, and more, but denied them all in order to
effectively represent her client. Eventually, the charges were
dismissed against her client, but in March of 2014 Andrea decided
to quit her job as an Attorney and moved to California with her husband, who works as a Naval Officer.
Andrea has found a new career working as a victim advocate for the Fleet and Family Services Center finding fulfillment in helping people through difficult times. She is excited to find her niche outside of the field
of law as an advocate.
>>> GIA Featured Alumni: Tara Rao
Tara Rao graduated in May of 2001 with a B.A. in Political Science. Since her time at USF, Tara has gone on to become a distinguished attorney receiving her J.D. from the University of
Florida Levin College of Law in 2004 and LL.M at Boston University School of Law in 2014. Tara has engrossed a list of accomplishments including her posts as the Director and past
President of the South Asian Bar Association of Florida, past
Director of the Hillsborough Association of Women Lawyers,
Adjunct Professor of Legal Studies at Keiser University, and
has been recognized by Super Lawyers Magazine as a rising
star in Probate and Estate Planning in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013,
and 2014. In addition to her slew of accomplishments, she
now works as an attorney and solo practitioner at the Rao Law
Firm, P.L. in Lutz, Florida. Tara has not only accomplished
what most would call a monumental post-graduate career, but
serves as an inspiration to young USF students hoping to follow in her footsteps. She can not only be recognized as a remarkable attorney, but a giving individual who performs pro
bono legal services for the Center for Guardian Advocacy
and the Office of the Public Guardian.
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Support Undergraduate Researchers at OUR’s Undergraduate
Research Colloquium this semester
Presenting an exciting opportunity for undergraduates, the Office for Undergraduate
Research is once again holding their Undergraduate Research and Arts Colloquium
where students can make a name for themselves presenting their individual
research to the rest of the university. Participating in the Colloquium allows
students to receive feedback from their peers and mentors regarding the strength of
their research and provides undergraduates with an opportunity to explore a field
of study at a greater level of intensity than before. Students will be presenting their
research in a variety of forms including poster, oral, performing arts, or studio/
visual presentations. The Office of Undergraduate Research’s mission is to provide
students with the
resources to help
make research as
informed as possible.
Whether this is your
first time attending
one of the OUR’s
events, or an enjoyable
opportunity to see the
work of your
colleagues, it is a
wonderful opportunity
to gain insight into
what disciplined and
Students at OUR’s Undergraduate Research Colloquium in 2014
developed research
th
looks like. The Colloquium will be held on Thursday, April 9 , 2015 in the Marshall
Student Center. For more information visit the Office for Undergraduate Research
website at http://www.lib.usf.edu/undergraduate-research/arts-colloquium/.
Advisor’s
Corner
Our advisors want to share
some important tips to
help you navigate life with
the department.
Remember for advising
appointments:

For International
Studies, please set up
an appointment with
Pamela Anderson.

For Political Science,
please set up an
appointment with
Heather Jarema.

For Pre-law and
students who are
DOUBLE majoring in
INT and POL, please set
up an appointment
with Rahi Dayerizadeh.
For more information visit:
http://gia.usf.edu/advisor/
Become a leader with a summer internship with The Washington Center
Looking for an opportunity to gain valuable
professional experience, while continuing
to learn first-hand about our nation’s
capital and what it takes to work on Capitol
Hill? The Washington Center provides a
once in a lifetime opportunity for
undergraduates to spend part of their
summer in D.C. aiding an organization
relevant to their major. The Center pairs
students with different government
agencies, non-profit organizations, and
other businesses within the realm of radio
and television, criminal justice, and
international affairs. Students will also be
given the opportunity to take part in panel
discussions, the Simpson-Mineta Leaders
Series, and smaller group style public policy
dialogues with an actual member of Congress.
An academic course will also be offered for
summer students with a wide range of course
offerings
including
Communications,
International Affairs, American Politics, and
so on. The Washington Center offers the
chance to not only build your professional
profile, but gain treasured leadership and real
-world experience living in Washington D.C.
The deadline to apply for a summer
internship is March 18th, 2015.