Seton Hill University’s Alpha Lambda Eta (ALE) Chapter of the Pi Sigma Political Science Honors Society was recently named one of the best chapters of 2023-24 by the organization.

Seton Hill was one of six chapters named in the category for colleges and universities with less than 5,000 students. Other chapters recognized include those at Hope College, Lee University, Macalester College, Providence College and Sul Ross State University.

Chapter advisor Roni Kay M. O'Dell, Associate Professor and Program Coordinator of Political Science and Global Studies, credits the strong work ethic of both current students and alumni for strengthening the chapter.

Recent student activities include political science and global studies research presentations, both at the Pi Sigma Alpha National Conference in February 2024, and also at the Seton Hill’s undergraduate research conference in April 2024; presenting to Seton Hill classes about professional development activities they can undertake as students; presenting to local high schools about global governance and the United Nations; and service-learning activities such as building a garden at local library.

“It has been such an honor to found and advise Seton Hill’s Chapter (ALE) of the Honors Society over the last nine years. ALE students show their incredible commitment to the principles of scholarship and civic engagement through the many events that we have planned on and off campus. One of the most rewarding experiences for me is advising students on their independent research papers that they then present to the Pi Sigma Undergraduate Conference and submit for publication. Beyond that, ALE is committed to offering professional development opportunities to our students to guide them into successful careers in political science and global studies,” O’Dell said.

The Best Chapter awards are intended to recognize local chapters as well as their advisors for their activity within their institutions and their communities that embodies Pi Sigma Alpha’s mission to stimulate scholarship and intellectual interest in political science.

Pi Sigma Alpha is the United States' only honor society for college and university students studying political science and social sciences. The society's mission is to recognize and promote academic excellence in the field of political science.