Political Science and Criminal Justice

Student and Alumni Highlights

Student Highlights

Political Science majors Braden Pisani (left) and Alejandro Rodriguez (right), our current Sacramento Semester interns, in the California Senate Chambers.Political Science majors Braden Pisani (left) and Alejandro Rodriguez (right), our current Sacramento Semester interns, in the California Senate Chambers. As participants in the Sacramento Semester program, Braden and Alejandro have been able to experience the California legislative process first hand, while earning course units. Braden is working with our local Assemblymember James Gallagher, and Alejandro is working with Assemblymember Marc Levine of the San Rafael/Santa Rosa area. We look forward to hearing more about their experiences!


Alumni Highlights

24 CSU students in the Panetta Congressional Intern program.

Jessica Candela (pictured far right), a Political Science and Women's Studies double major, was selected as Chico State's 2015 Panetta Congressional Intern and spent the fall semester interning in Washington, D.C. for California Congressman Mike Honda. Jess researched and drafted language in the policy areas of education, health care, gender, and immigration, and worked on House Resolution 519, which focused on eliminating violence against women and girls worldwide. Along with 24 other CSU students in the Panetta Congressional Intern program, Jess attended weekly seminars, hearing from leaders in the public and private sectors. Due to her experience in D.C., Jess now wants to work in local politics and government.


Political Science students gather with Chico State alumni Joe Banez.

From left to right, Nicole McAllister, Laura Napoliello, Kory Masen, Nicole MacDougall, Ximena Ospina, Kirsten Foster, Aaron Rodriguez, Mike Nieto, Sam Avery, Katelyn Phillips, Allison Ivie and Joe Banez

This event was organized by Joe Banez (far right), a 2012 Chico Alum. While we cannot claim Joe as one of ours (he graduated with a degree in Microbiology), we would like to recognize him as an official “friend of Political Science.” Joe is currently a White House Legislative Analyst, working for the Office of National Drug Control Policy. Upon arriving in D.C. after graduation, Joe recognized both the importance of networking, and the lack of an established and organized CSU alumni network. With other CSU alumni, and with the support of the Chancellor’s Office, Joe has been working to build this network. As part of this work, Joe regularly meets with and connects Political Science students and alumnae working in D.C. White House bowling is just one example of the way Joe is helping our students connect and thrive in D.C.

Political Statements is the official newsletter of the Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice at California State University, Chico.

With over 1,000 total majors, the Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice is one of the largest departments at Chico State. Students choose courses from a rich curriculum, providing close student-faculty contact in each of the following majors of study: U.S. politics, legal studies, criminal justice, international relations, and public administration. The department also offers a Master of Public Administration and a Master of Arts in Political Science.

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