UCO's Political Science Honor Society Recognized as Best Chapter in the Nation
Oct. 17, 2025
The University of Central Oklahoma's Sigma Mu chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science collegiate honor society, received the annual Best Chapter Award for the ninth year.
Out of more than 830 Pi Sigma Alpha chapters across the country, Sigma Mu was one of only five chapters honored for its creativity and exceptional commitment to promoting scholarship and interest in political science.
"We were impressed with the chapter's achievements in developing activities supporting student civic engagement, especially given the significant challenges faculty and students around the country continue to face," said Tanya Schwarz, executive director of Pi Sigma Alpha.
Over the past year, Sigma Mu has maintained a strong presence on campus through events and programming designed to encourage political awareness and public participation. The chapter organized voter registration drives, hosted election information booths, and facilitated debate watch parties in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election. Students also led topical discussions, brought in alumni speakers and created opportunities for students to learn about the democratic process.
The chapter also sponsored political science panel discussions as part of the UCO College of Liberal Arts Student Symposium. Additionally, the chapter president represented Sigma Mu by presenting at the Pi Sigma Alpha National Student Research Conference in Washington, D.C.
“We strive to be very active on campus,” said Jan Hardt, Ph.D., professor of political science and the Sigma Mu faculty sponsor.
“Our students have hosted weeklong voter registration drives, election information booths, panels on hot topics and alumni panels to help encourage civic engagement on campus and in our community.”
The Best Chapter Award includes a $500 prize for the chapter and an additional $200 for the advisor. Award winners are also featured in Political Science Today, a publication of the American Political Science Association.
For more information about the Sigma Mu chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha at UCO, email Hardt at jhardt@uco.edu.
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Hannah Wagar