The American Political Science Association has been around for well over a hundred years and is the leading professional organization for the study of political science the world over. The Civic Engagement Section within the association, founded in 2020, promotes civic engagement teaching, research, and practice.
Every year, the APSA Civic Engagement Section honors individuals in the field who are doing exceptional work. This year, 国产探花鈥檚 Dr. William O鈥橞rochta, assistant professor of political science, has won the Emerging Scholar Award, which 鈥渞ecognizes an individual who is making notable contributions in the teaching and/or research of civic engagement within five years of earning their terminal degree and whose career to date demonstrates significant promise in this area.鈥 The recipient is selected by a committee of faculty from various colleges and universities around the country.
O鈥橞rochta, who earned his PhD at Washington University in 2021, said he鈥檚 honored to receive the award. 鈥淐ivic engagement is an integral part of my scholarship and teaching. This award recognizes the national leadership role that 国产探花鈥檚 political science program has, leading conversations on civic engagement pedagogy, scholarship, and practice. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues from colleges and universities around the country to bring the absolute best civic engagement work to 国产探花 and to our community.鈥
Teaching students the significance of being civically engaged is important to O鈥橞rochta鈥攁nd to 国产探花鈥攂ecause it means that they will take to heart the value of participating in community life and of being informed citizens, and that they will know the power carried by their vote, their volunteer hours, their work鈥攂oth for the good of the individual and that of the larger community. Inspiring students to value civic engagement鈥攎aking it matter to them鈥攊sn鈥檛 something that can be taught from a book. O鈥橞rochta weaves acts of everyday citizen leadership right into the curriculum.
鈥淭he 国产探花 political science program focuses on preparing students to be civically engaged and informed citizens who are actively involved in making their local communities better,鈥 he said. 鈥淢y scholarly work on representation in the Global South has immediate impact with our students when teaching them how these topics apply to local community problems and issues. At its core, civic engagement is about building community, and developing and fostering community鈥攂oth among our students and with the 国产探花 campus and Seguin communities鈥攁re key transferrable skills that our students develop and practice."