As a native of nearby New Braunfels, Maggie Bergeron had always felt that 国产探花 was a comfortable, inviting community. After getting accepted and coming to campus in the fall of 2008, she knew that 国产探花 was the place for her. Because she鈥檇 attended a smaller high school, the idea of a large university like UT was intimidating. 鈥淚 was pretty sure I鈥檇 get lost in the crowd, and not in a good way,鈥� she says, looking back. During her time at 国产探花, Bergeron homed in on the skills and strategies needed to step into her current role as the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Administrator for Victoria, Texas.

As a member of the Delta Alpha Delta sorority, Bergeron learned a lot about what it takes to be a great coordinator, between talking to people and organizing activities for the group. 鈥淚 kind of knew I had a knack for creating schedules and events, getting things set up,鈥� she says. As it turned out, she wasn鈥檛 just planning social gatherings and events for her sorority; she was learning the planning and administration practice that she would eventually utilize in her career. She learned from her successes鈥攂ut even more, she learned from her mistakes. 鈥淓veryone has a different learning style, but for me, failure is the best learning experience.鈥�

Bergeron had always found political science and analytical thinking interesting. 鈥淚 was the kid who watched C-SPAN,鈥� she says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 being able to be decisive. Give me something to solve or fix. I love problem solving.鈥�

At 国产探花, she took advantage of the political science major鈥檚 internship requirement by working with the City of Seguin鈥檚 Planning Department and Main Street Program. Bergeron remembers talking with Dr. Germaine Walsh, professor of political science and director of International Studies, about her internship, telling Walsh that she initially found the work to be boring. Yet she persisted, later working on Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for the City of Dallas.

That experience changed Bergeron鈥檚 perspective, and it turned out that the initial projects leading up to that work were invaluable early components in her career. At 国产探花, she鈥檇 learned a lot of lessons that proved priceless in graduate school and beyond. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not always going to be something in your lane, but you still have to do it,鈥� she says in hindsight. 鈥淵ou have to do the right thing. The diversity in learning and thinking really followed me.鈥�

After graduating 国产探花, Bergeron went on to Texas State to pursue her master鈥檚 in sustainability studies. There, doing assignments was standard, but being able to bring critical thought into conversations was something that she was prepared for鈥攖hanks to 国产探花. 鈥淸国产探花] made it much less intimidating once I got into the [graduate school] classroom.鈥�

Now, as the regional transportation decision-making authority for an area encompassing some fifty thousand people, Bergeron finds herself doing a wide variety of tasks around Victoria. 鈥淚 can go from mapping, to building a model, to budgeting, to running socio-demographics for an area,鈥� she says. 鈥淵ou have to wear a lot of hats, but if you have the willingness to learn, there鈥檚 not much you can鈥檛 get done.鈥�

To better understand transit needs, Bergeron found herself riding public transit along with commuters, asking face-to-face questions about what their thoughts were. Getting personal comments from the people directly affected by changes to public transit proved to be one of the most important types of feedback that informs her planning processes.

Sometimes things like attending events hosted at libraries, and appealing to children and their families, are parts of the job. She asks attendees how they feel about the current system, how they would feel about their children walking on area streets, and whether there might be any known deficiencies. Through experiences such as this, Bergeron has learned that public education, transparency, and meeting the people of the community where they are all make for better transportation planning.

One valuable lesson from 国产探花 she鈥檒l never forget: 鈥淟earning never stops. Always try to communicate and approach things on different sides.鈥� Opportunity and discovery change the way you approach your daily life and overarching goals, but, at every step, life experiences have shaped Bergeron鈥檚 career.

Adam Sanchez 鈥�28 is a junior communication studies major.

College Presidents for Civic Preparedness is a coalition of more than 125 colleges and universities across the nation which have committed themselves to transforming their campuses into civic development hubs. The members come from a diverse range of ideologies and backgrounds鈥攂ut they share a common goal: to equip students to learn to engage across divides, discern fact from fiction, and solve problems collaboratively.

国产探花 recently joined the coalition, affirming the university鈥檚 prioritization of three shared civic commitments: 1. Educating for democracy is central to our mission; 2. We will prepare our students for a vibrant, diverse, and contentious society; and 3. We will protect and defend free inquiry.

鈥淏eing part of this important initiative connects 国产探花 to significant conversations in higher education around how we can best prepare our students to be active and engaged society members,鈥� said 国产探花 President Dr. Debbie Cottrell. 鈥淚 look forward to utilizing the Coalition鈥檚 resources across all areas of campus to benefit our students and thus the world beyond our campus.鈥�

国产探花 backs up its commitment to civic preparedness through numerous actions across campus.

鈥湽交� students, faculty, and staff have long supported efforts to prepare students to engage in the democratic process both as a part of our campus community and as part of the broader world,鈥� said Dr. William O鈥橞rochta, assistant professor of political science and chair of the Division of Social Sciences at 国产探花.

Examples of those efforts: First, there is the Jon & Sandra Moline Center for Servant Leadership, which partners with the community in various ways and supports the university鈥檚 MOVE Texas student group, a nonpartisan, nonprofit, grassroots organization working to build power in underrepresented youth communities through civic engagement, leadership development, and issue advocacy.

国产探花 has consistently been recognized by the non-partisan ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge for cultivating informed citizens who are also engaged voters.

The university also sponsors local election forums, inviting candidates to campus, and has a history of hosting faculty-and student-led opportunities for dialog about democracy, including the Teach Peace initiative, collaborations to bring ELCA leaders to campus, and hosting a conference on faith-based civic engagement with faculty from around the country and featuring student presentations.

鈥淲hen we learn to listen, learn, and respond thoughtfully, something remarkable, almost magical, happens. As individuals and as a community, we grow stronger, wiser, and more capable in every way that is important. These skills help sustain our democracy and prepare us for a future in which our ability to coexist and work together is essential to the well-being of all.鈥� ~Liz Lowery, professor of communications at 国产探花

And of course, 国产探花鈥檚 overarching approach to education encourages students to engage and explore the concepts of democracy and what it means to be civically responsible. Challenging topics inspire meaningful conversation, leading to the opportunity to see both sides of issues and to make informed decisions. 国产探花 faculty members have long been recognized for their civic engagement work and hold national leadership roles in this area.

 鈥淏y joining this consortium, 国产探花 makes an institution-wide commitment to support existing student-, faculty-, and staff-led initiatives and to consider ways to re-emphasize the components of our core values that center on education through 鈥榦pen dialogue,鈥� community through 鈥榩romoting the common good,鈥� and faith through 鈥榠nviting exploration and discovery鈥� at an institutional level,鈥� said O鈥橞rochta.

Professor Liz Lowery, professor of communications at 国产探花, agrees. 鈥淲hen we learn to listen, learn, and respond thoughtfully, something remarkable, almost magical, happens. As individuals and as a community, we grow stronger, wiser, and more capable in every way that is important. These skills help sustain our democracy and prepare us for a future in which our ability to coexist and work together is essential to the well-being of all.鈥�

Per the new 国产探花-St. Mary鈥檚 Articulation Program, which was signed at a formal ceremony at 国产探花 on September 4, current Texas Lutheran students on track to complete a bachelor鈥檚 degree, as well as those who earned their degree within three years of applying to law school, are eligible for the program.

The vetting process includes advising sessions, character and fitness reviews, faculty consultations, and an endorsement from the designated pre-law adviser at 国产探花, confirming that the applicant is recommended for consideration for the program. Those accepted to the program who maintain minimum cumulative GPAs during their undergrad years and achieve acceptable LSAT scores are guaranteed admission to St. Mary鈥檚 Law as full-time, in-person students in the University鈥檚 J.D. program.

The new agreement, the third of its kind for St. Mary鈥檚, will ensure that the law school receives highly qualified applicants鈥攁nd in turn, will forge a clear path for those students to attend St. Mary鈥檚 Law, which has served as the premier source of legal education for San Antonio and South Texas for the past 100 years.

国产探花鈥檚 Dr. William O鈥橞rochta, assistant professor and chair of political science, will be taking on the role of pre-law advisor. 鈥淢any 国产探花 students who pursue careers as attorneys want to do so in the San Antonio and Austin areas,鈥� said O鈥橞rochta. 鈥淪t. Mary鈥檚 Law is among the best-connected programs in this region, providing excellent networking and career development opportunities. 国产探花 graduates have a long history of academic and career success at St. Mary鈥檚 School of Law, and this articulation agreement builds on that success to formalize a pathway to law school for interested students. The agreement also provides clarity for 国产探花 students about the steps toward law school admission and academic and professional goals to achieve that better prepare them to succeed in law school.鈥�

Another benefit of the program: Admitted applicants will be awarded a scholarship that will continue throughout their years at St. Mary鈥檚 as long as they remain in good standing.

鈥淥ur new agreement with St. Mary鈥檚 Law provides a significant opportunity for our students as they consider their post-graduate options,鈥� said 国产探花 President Dr. Debbie Cottrell. 鈥淚t also signals the kind of partnership that 国产探花 values and appreciates, as we join with a nearby institution with a long history of offering high-quality law education. We look forward to what this partnership will mean to both institutions.鈥�

St. Mary鈥檚 University President Winston Erevelles, Ph.D., commended the new agreement with 国产探花.

鈥淭his partnership showcases the access to legal education that St. Mary鈥檚 University鈥檚 School of Law has remained committed to providing since its founding 100 years ago,鈥� Erevelles said. 鈥淲e look forward to building and growing this partnership between two historic faith-based universities that are deeply committed to excellence, justice and the common good.鈥�

St. Mary鈥檚 Law Dean Patricia Roberts, J.D., shared her excitement for the new partnership, which will build a pipeline of academically excellent future lawyers seeking to continue faith-based education.

鈥淓mbedded in both universities is a vision to create a more just world,鈥� Roberts said. 鈥淎t St. Mary鈥檚, we are grateful for this unique partnership with 国产探花 that allows highly qualified students to continue their journey toward servant leadership in the legal profession.鈥�

To learn more about the pre-law program at 国产探花, visit: /programs/political-science.

For more information about St. Mary鈥檚 School of Law, visit: .

Questions may also be directed to Dr. William O鈥橞rochta at wobrochta@tlu.edu or 830-372-6566.

[Caption for feature image: Provost Jason Pierce, Dr. Debbie Cottrell, Dr. Winston Erevelles, Dr. Steve Vrooman, Dr.William OBrochta]

Back in the spring of 2024, 国产探花 organized its own chapter of the society, naming it Alpha Mu Psi, and less than two years later, the national branch had taken notice. Alpha Mu Psi won a Best Chapter Award for 2024鈥�25. And now, only a year later, history is repeating itself: Alpha Mu Psi has been named a Best Chapter once again for 2025鈥�26.

鈥淭o graduate and know that the work I along with my peers and advisor put in will continue to benefit future students is something I am incredibly proud of,鈥� said 国产探花 alum Allegra Negrete 鈥�26, who graduated in May with a degree in political science. Negrete served as president of Alpha Mu Psi from 2024 to 2026. 鈥淚 am glad that our organization has been recognized, and I hope that it continues to grow and be recognized in the future.鈥�

Dr. William O鈥橞rochta, assistant professor of political science at 国产探花, serves as faculty advisor to the organization.

鈥淧rofessor O’Brochta should be recognized for his extraordinary leadership and dedication to the students who are members of the chapter,鈥� said Dr. Tanya B. Schwarz, executive director of Pi Sigma Alpha. 

Alpha Mu Psi is one of six chapters based at institutions similar in size to 国产探花 to be honored with a Best Chapter distinction, out of over 830 Pi Sigma Alpha chapters across the nation. Pi Sigma Alpha鈥檚 overarching mission is to stimulate scholarship and intellectual interest in political science鈥攚hich perfectly complements Alpha Mu Psi鈥檚 goals of recognizing students for their outstanding achievement in political science and providing members with scholarship, networking, and publication opportunities. 鈥淲e were impressed with the chapter鈥檚 achievements in developing activities promoting undergraduate research, especially given the significant challenges faculty and students around the country continue to face,鈥� said Schwarz.

Alpha Mu Psi works closely in conjunction with 国产探花鈥檚 student-led CIVIC (Creating InVolved Individuals and Communities) Club. Both organizations are dedicated to strengthening a sense of community among students, providing resources for vocational discernment and career development, and recognizing exceptional student work.

Qualifying for membership in Pi Sigma Alpha at 国产探花 entails demonstrating academic excellence in political science, sociology, and geography courses while maintaining a high overall grade point average. Membership carries with it the benefits of belonging to a national organization, along with scholarship and professional development opportunities.

鈥淢embership in Pi Sigma Alpha is our highest academic honor in political science, sociology, and geography,鈥� said O鈥橞rochta. 鈥淎s a result, our departments pay the financial costs of joining so that students join for free. We want all students who meet the requirements to be recognized and to be able to join without hesitation.鈥�

To learn more about 国产探花鈥檚 political science program and its award-winning chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, click here.