Pi Sigma Alpha Honor Society Inducts 17 TAMIU Students

Seventeen Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) students have been welcomed into Pi Sigma Alpha (PSA), one of the nation’s most prestigious honor societies in induction ceremonies this week.

PSA is a national honor society for students involved in areas regarding political science and government. TAMIU’s  Chapter is known as Omega Upsilon. Compared to other honors societies across the country, PSA stands out for a special reason, said TAMIU associate professor of  Political Science, Dr. James A. Norris.

“We are the Omega Upsilon chapter of PSA, the National Political Science Honorary Society, which was founded in 1920 at The University of Texas Austin,” Dr. Norris explained, “It is the only college level honor society for scholars of political science and government affairs. Today, PSA thrives on 800 campuses across the United States, and membership is recognized as a symbol of academic excellence.”

To qualify for PSA, students must maintain a general grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 or higher; a GPA of 3.00 or higher in political science courses and must complete at least 16 hours of coursework in political science or public administration.  PSA students do not need to be political science or public administration majors. TAMIU’s May inductees included engineering, history, psychology, political science, and psychology majors, and graduate public administration students.

Dr. Norris and Dr. Lola Norris, TAMIU associate professor of Spanish and Translation, are the University’s PSA advisors. Dr. James Norris has been the PSA advisor since 2001 when he established the TAMIU chapter.

The honor society advisors and current members say they are excited to welcome their new members into the honor society.

For the last nine years, TAMIU’s PSA has sponsored one or two teams to attend and compete in the Eugene Scassa Mock Organization of American States  (ESMOAS), which is held at Texas State University in San Marcos.  In November 2017, PSA member Emily Walker won an award for the best written resolution in her ESMOAS committee.

According to its national offices, PSA “seeks to promote excellence in the study of political science through a variety of programs for student members and local chapters.” future to include bigger awards and/or more awards in each category.

For additional information, contact Dr. Norris at 956.326. 2607, email jnorris@tamiu.eduor visit offices in Dr. F. M. Canseco Hall, room 313.

For more on Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honor society, visit: https://www.pisigmaalpha.org/chapter-programs