Scholarships & Awards

Each spring semester, the Department of Political Science offers named scholarships and departmental research paper awards to eligible students. The application and selection processes typically take place in March and April, and students are recognized during the annual awards ceremony. Below, you can find details about each scholarship opportunity.

To apply, log into your account on the Mav Scholarship site. For more information, contact Dr. Christopher Chambers-Ju (christopher.chambersju@uta.edu).

 Irving Dawson Scholarship

As a means of honoring highly regarded former faculty member and department chair Dr. Irving Owen Dawson, his friends and family created an endowment in his name. The endowment’s objective is to provide academic scholarships for Political Science majors and to help recruit and retain qualified Political Science students. All other factors being equal, preference will be given to members of Pi Sigma Alpha and to students with a focus in Public Policy or Public Administration. Decisions about awardees and amounts will be made by the POLS Student Honors and Scholarship Committee.

Suzanne Katsikas Scholarship

The friends and family of Dr. Suzanne J. Katsikas created an endowment to honor this esteemed former faculty member and department chair. The endowment is intended to provide highly qualified Political Science majors with financial support and to help retain them within the program. All other factors being equal, preference will be given to members of Pi Sigma Alpha and to students with a focus in International Relations or Comparative Politics. Decisions about awardees and amounts will be made by the POLS Student Honors and Scholarship Committee.

Jhang Moon Scholarship

This scholarship was made possible by one of Dr. Moon’s many devoted former students, to attract and retain motivated and high-quality students. All UTA Political Science majors may apply. All other factors being equal, preference will be given to members of Pi Sigma Alpha and to students with a focus in International Relations or Comparative Politics. Decisions about awardees and amounts will be made by the POLS Student Honors and Scholarship Committee.

POLS Outstanding Research Paper Award

The Outstanding Paper award is given to students whose coursework demonstrates outstanding effort, learning, and writing. Each year, students’ research papers are nominated by Department faculty for consideration. Final selections are determined by the Scholarship Committee and students are recognized at the annual Celebration of Excellence.