This isn’t the first time Pi Sigma Alpha, the national honor society for students of political science, has singled out Texas Lutheran University.
Back in the spring of 2024, TLU 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 2024–25. And now, only a year later, history is repeating itself: Alpha Mu Psi has been named a Best Chapter once again for 2025–26.
“To 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,” said TLU alum Allegra Negrete ’26, who graduated in May with a degree in political science. Negrete served as president of Alpha Mu Psi from 2024 to 2026. “I am glad that our organization has been recognized, and I hope that it continues to grow and be recognized in the future.”
Dr. William O’Brochta, assistant professor of political science at TLU, serves as faculty advisor to the organization.
“Professor O’Brochta should be recognized for his extraordinary leadership and dedication to the students who are members of the chapter,” 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 TLU to be honored with a Best Chapter distinction, out of over 830 Pi Sigma Alpha chapters across the nation. Pi Sigma Alpha’s overarching mission is to stimulate scholarship and intellectual interest in political science—which perfectly complements Alpha Mu Psi’s goals of recognizing students for their outstanding achievement in political science and providing members with scholarship, networking, and publication opportunities. “We were impressed with the chapter’s achievements in developing activities promoting undergraduate research, especially given the significant challenges faculty and students around the country continue to face,” said Schwarz.
Alpha Mu Psi works closely in conjunction with TLU’s 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 TLU 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.
“Membership in Pi Sigma Alpha is our highest academic honor in political science, sociology, and geography,” said O’Brochta. “As 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.”
To learn more about TLU’s political science program and its award-winning chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, click here.
