The Department of Political Science is proud to announce that one of our students has received top national recognition for her outstanding undergraduate research.

Grace Orians was selected as the first-place winner of the 2025 Pi Sigma Alpha Best Undergraduate Honors Thesis Award for her thesis titled "Central to Success: The Impact of Congressional Speech Networks on Legislative Effectiveness." Professors Janet Box-Steffensmeier and Melinda Ritchie worked with Grace as co-advisors on her thesis. 

This prestigious award, presented annually by Pi Sigma Alpha. the national political science honor society, recognizes the best undergraduate thesis in political science across the country. 

Please join us in congratulating Grace on this remarkable achievement!