Student Organizations

Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honor society, is open to graduate and upper level undergraduate students in political science who have achieved the required level of academic excellence. Membership is possible only through local chapters such as the one in this department.

Pi Sigma Alpha was founded in 1920 and is a member of the Association of College Honor Societies. There are nearly 600 chapters nationwide, with over 6500 new members added annually.

Our local chapter rules and the conditions established by the national organization require that students have declared political science or public administration as a major or minor, have attained at least junior standing with at least a 3.0 overall GPA, and have completed a minimum of 12 semester credits in political science or public administration courses at Oakland University to be considered for membership.

For more information, including meeting times and dates, consult the Nu Omega chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha at Oakland University.

If you are interested and have met the requirements for admission, please email Professor Cody Eldredge.

The faculty adviser for the Oakland University chapter is Professor Cody Eldredge, 218 Anibal House, 248-370-2351.

AFP provides professional opportunities for any Oakland University student interested in a career in the non-profit area. We are connected to the Michigan Nonprofit Association, and through our membership are able to offer students a variety of networking and professional development opportunities.

Other responsibilities that AFP has taken on include:

• Helping to find internships and project ideas for Master of Public Administration (MPA) senior capstones.
• Linking up with local non-profit organizations
• Networking with area non-profit professionals
• Bringing in guest speakers

The faculty advisor for the Oakland University chapter is Assistant Professor, Dr. Sung-eun Kim.

If you are an OU student or MPA alumni interested in joining, please view the AFP GrizzOrgs Page and like us on Facebook!

Pi Alpha Alpha (PAA) is the national honor society for the field of Public Affairs and Administration. Its purpose is to encourage and recognize outstanding scholarship and accomplishment in public affairs and administration.

The chapter of PAA at Oakland University hosts functions for the Master of Public Administration (MPA) Program and social events. These events are open to all students and are  a great way to meet fellow students, faculty, and PAA members. We encourage all students to  participate, even if he or she has not yet completed the requirements for national membership.

Advantages to joining Pi Alpha Alpha (PAA): 

SAHL is the central link for those students interested in healthcare leadership, connecting them with a wealth of career resources and professional development tips, industry information, and professional connections along with educational and networking opportunities.

The only requirement to be a SAHL member is to be an OU student.

Stay Updated:

International City/County Management Association (ICMA) is an organization for students interested in local government management. If you're interested in being part of a profession dedicated to the ethical delivery of public services to communities worldwide, consider joining ICMA as a student.

ICMA provides opportunity for members to network, learn, and participate in webinars. Everyone is welcome to join.

Some benefits are:

• Free registration for annual conference
• A Knowledge Network profile on ICMA.org with access to information on best practices, interviews, fellowships, internships, networking, and much more! 
• Access to the ICMA job board
• Webinars and podcasts exclusively for chapter members

The College Democrats invite students to join the cause of political engagement and progressive action. The group meets monthly for political discussions and organized events, often inviting guest speakers to join and offer perspective and expertise from specific fields. The organization aims to raise awareness of policy issues, facilitate communication, and encourage political responsibility on campus. For more information please contact [email protected].

The College Republicans offer students an opportunity to network and interact with Republican elected officials and others involved in the political process. The group works to “bring together like-minded, young professionals who are self-driven and who want to be personally involved in our efforts to bring a better future for our country by establishing and reinforcing conservative principles.” For more information, contact Professor David Dulio.

Model UN is a national organization in which students participate in simulated United Nations debates. Team members are assigned to a country to thoroughly research in order to debate national issues, negotiate and solve problems. The team participates in a regional conference competition with the possibility of advancing to the national level. Participants may enroll in PS 3605 - Model United Nations, which provides two elective credits for the preparation time. For more information, contact Professor Cody Eldredge.