Abilene Christian University Department of Political Science Page 1 of 7 December 2015 Newsletter

Congratulations to Dr. Mel Hailey for receiving the Dean Gerald Lee Wilson award for Excellence in Pre-Law Advising. Dr. Hailey was featured in the Fall 2015 issue of the ACU Today for this honor.

361st District Judge Steve Smith (‘74) visits with former Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Jack Pope (‘34) in Austin in October.

A reception was held in Dr. Mel Hailey’s honor during ACU Homecoming on Oct. 16 for the Wilson Award—given annually to just one pre-law advisor in the country. A number of ACU alum who have gone on to law school and current students gathered to congratulate Dr. Hailey. Pictured are: Savannah Hostetter (‘15), Jack Hodge (‘16), Taylor Barham (‘14), Mel Hailey (‘70), Dylan Benac (‘14), Matt Garner (‘96), and Rob Hailey (‘97).

GRADUATES

Dion Lankford graduated in August with a Sociology degree with an emphasis in Criminal Justice.

December Graduates are: POLS—Alex Andrews CJ—Rhianna Cooper, Tabitha Culpepper, Caleb Hughes, Casey Patton, and Andrew Steenburg.

2015-2016 Debate Team

This year’s 8-member ACU Debate Team has several POLS majors. They include team captain Si Alford, Hope Stanphill, Angelique Lee, Rachel Jones, Kevin Shurtz, and Desiree Jones.

Student Spotlight

Chris Cary is a sophomore Criminal Justice major. After high school, he did basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia. Chris was then stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado, for four years, during which he had one combat deployment to Afghanistan and one to support deployment to Kuwait. Chris says those years contained “some of the best times and worst times of my life. I made some lifelong friends, and it helped me prepare for the future I had in mind for myself and my family.”

Student News

Mike Mfashingabo was selected to attend the National Student Leaders Forum in Washington, D.C. Oct. 16-17.

Alan Songer has an article accepted for publication, “Questioning Community in the Ku Klux Klan” in Discussions: The Undergraduate Research Journal of Case Western Reserve University, Spring 2016.

Aaron Steward is interning for the campaign of Dr. Brent Mayes, one of a field of candidates for Troy Fraser’s Senate District 24 seat.

DID YOU KNOW?!

THERE HAVE BEEN 186 POPE FELLOWS

486 POLITIAL SCIENCE GRADUATES,

604 CRIMINAL JUSTICE GRADUATES,

AND OVER 600 ACU ALUM HAVE GRADUATED FROM LAW SCHOOL

George W. Bush in Abilene

Former President George W. Bush was in Abilene on Sep. 23 as the speaker for the annual Global Samaritan Dinner fundraising event at the Abilene Civic Center. He followed to town in recent months Republican presidential candidates Dr. Ben Carson and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.

Abilene Christian University Department of Political Science

December 2015 Newsletter Page 2 of 7

LAW SCHOOL RECRUITERS ON CAMPUS Recruiters from seven law schools were on the ACU campus on Oct. 28, from:

Baylor Mississippi College

SMU Texas Tech

Univ. OK Univ. of Tulsa

UNT Dallas

Pre-Law Chapel

Students interested in law school attended a special chapel on Nov. 6 in Teague Auditorium, hearing from several ACU alum who have gone onto various legal careers and who talked about attending law school and then practicing law.

Guest Speakers in Criminal Justice Courses

this Semester

Detective Bob Delony on Investigative Ethics and Homicide Investigations.

District Parole Chief Phil Robinson on TDCJ Parole practices.

District Parole Supervisor Amy on Sex Offender Case loads, Super Intensive Supervision Program, and Therapeutic Community Case loads.

TDCJ (Texas Dept of Criminal Justice) Corrections Office Nathaniel Perritano on prison culture.

SANE coordinator, Hendrick Medical Center, Suzie Strieger, R.N. on sexual assault investigation.

DEA Agent Jimmy Kuykendall spoke on federal drug prosecution and DEA activities.

Taylor County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Craig Griffis, on cybercrime.

Abilene Christian University Department of Political Science

December 2015 Newsletter Page 3 of 7

Alumni News

Maisha Stroud ('00) is Lease Records Manager at EP Energy in Houston.

Cole French ('06) lives in Frederick, Maryland and is Lead Technologist at Booz Allen Hamilton.

Bryan Head ('07) is a principal at The Head Insurance Group, in Westminster, Colorado.

Casey Bingham ('08) was appointed by the Texas Young Republican Federation Board as the new Policy Director for the 2015-2016 year.

Daniel Burgner ('10) is working for Ruffalo Cody in Lubbock.

Scott Adrian ('11) passed the California State Bar.

Conner Best ('12) passed the Texas State Bar.

Prentice McCarty ('13) is employed with the Lubbock ISD teaching Pre-K to 5th grade PE at the Joan Y. Ervin Elementary level.

Faculty News Stuart Platt was appointed by APD Chief Standridge to the Abilene Police Department Academy Advisory Board.

Stuart Platt received the School of Business and Leadership Award for Integrating Faith and Learning from Regent University. Here is the link: http://www.regent.edu/news_events/?article_id=2024&view=full_article

Neal Coates published op-eds in the Abilene Reporter News, “Iran Not Conceding Much Thus Far” on June 26; and “Give Full Support If You’re Iranian” on Aug. 9; and “Surprise! There are Two Nuclear Agreements” on Oct. 23.

Neal Coates presented a Summit class, “Rejoicing in the Lord When Persecuted in 2015: Discrimination, Imprisonment, and Killing of Christians in the Middle East,” Sep. 23.

Mackenzie Sanderson in Oxford this semester found this sign while visiting Edinburgh. It reads:

Chrystal Macmillan Building

School of Social & Political Science

Students Organize New Pro-Life Group at ACU

Students at Abilene Christian University can now join a new club on campus this semester: Wildcats for Life, led by Dr. Joseph Graham Fellow Tori Wilson. Professor Neal Coates contacted Wilson after seeing her name in a Texas Right to Life email an-nouncing the 2015 class of Dr. Joseph Graham Fellows.

Wilson and several other students have their sights set on helping both ACU and the Abilene community. The semester, Wildcats for Life will volunteer at Pregnancy Resources of Abilene, a Pro-Life pregnancy resource center serving the women and families of Abilene in crisis pregnancy situations.

Alumni News Continued

Stewart McGregor ('14) is now Economic Development Coordina-tor with the Forney, Texas, Economic Development Corporation

Ian Merriman ('15) has been accepted into the Texas Game Warden Academy, starting in January. He is the first ACU student in a number of years accepted into this prestigious academy. Congratulations!

Merry Christmas!

Abilene Christian University Department of Political Science December 2015 Newsletter Page 4 of 7

Searching for Jobs?

A local government job board is located at www.SGRjobs.com. Students may also want to check out candidate resources at www.GovernmentResource.com. SGR produces a weekly “10 in 10” Update on Leadership and Innovation in that is focused on local government and is free, with over 60,000 subscribers.

See USAJobs.gov for Job Information! Here are some examples of pathway jobs with the potential to return and get a preference in hiring for full-time jobs.

www.usajobs.gov/getjob/viewdetails/365805400 Homeland Security

www.usajobs.gov/getjobs/viewdetails/365562300 Park Ranger

Dr. Coates suggests that students read, “C.I.A. Officers and F.B.I. Agents, Meet Your New Partner: The Analyst,” NYT, 3-26-15, www.nytimes.com/2015/03/27/us/cia-officers-and-fbi-agents-meet-your-new-partner-the-analyst.html

Internship Opportunity

Rep. Ted Poe’s Office, Washington, D.C.

Representative Poe’s Office is looking for an ACU intern for every semester and summer. Congressman Poe is an alumnus of ACU. If you or anyone you know (and of any major) may be interested please have them contact his office.

The Policy Director for Governor Brownback of Kansas is looking for interns. If interested please contact Brandon Smith at 913-653-7904

Internship Ideas

If you are looking for an internship ideas, please visit these organization homepages: Interpol, Freedom House, Transparency International, Texas Right to Life, Amnesty International, and International Justice Mission.

Abilene Christian University Department of Political Science December 2015 Newsletter Page 5 of 7

DC Internships.Org—as real as it gets Capital Summer in Washington, DC International Affairs & Public Policy

www.DCinternships.org/CS Summer: June-July, 2016 Early Deadline: December 10, 2015

*Guaranteed Internships - Courses for Credit - Housing in DC Summer June-July 2016

*Scholarship Funding Available

Spend the summer in Washington, DC making an investment in your future that will help set you apart after college. This comprehensive program sponsored by The Fund for American Studies includes a guaranteed internship placement in the fields of international affairs and public policy, courses for transferable credit, and furnished housing the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington, D.C.

EXPERIENCE We’ve been creating academic internship experiences for over 40 years and guarantee all participants an internship placement. Your options are endless – we work with over 300 different international affairs organizations, federal agencies, policy groups, and government relations offices.

A few examples of past internship placements include: Atlas Economic Research Foundation Peace Corps Center for European Policy Analysis Student Conservation Association Center for Strategic and International Studies U.S. Department of the Treasury Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute Women in Government Embassy of Brazil World Vision Federal Aviation Association

COURSES FOR CREDIT Earn transferable academic credits from your summer experience in Washington. The classes vary in subject from economics, ethics and leadership, American Foreign Policy, Constitutional Law, and other related Political Science subjects.

BACKSTAGE PASS You will have a front row seat to a variety of exclusive briefings and uniquely D.C. events. Students will have the chance to attend once in a lifetime tours and hear from leaders within such powerful institutions as the State Department, U.S. Congress, White House, World Bank, and the Pentagon.

APPLICATION INFORMATION Students will be accepted on a rolling basis until the Summer 2016 final deadline of March 16, 2016. Applicants are encouraged to apply for the early deadline of December 10, 2015 in order to receive preference in admissions and scholarship consideration, as well as a 5% tuition discount. The early deadline for Spring 2016 is October 1. There is a substantial amount of scholarship funding available, and awards are made based on financial need and merit.

For more information and to be begin an online application, please visit www.DCinternships.org/CS. Questions may be directed to Dana Faught at dfaught@tfas.org or 202.986.0384.

Abilene Christian University Department of Political Science December 2015 Newsletter Page 6 of 7

The City of Deer Park, Texas, Police Department Is now accepting applications for the position

of Police Officer

Application Deadline: Open Until Filled Current Anticipated Vacancies: Three (As of January 2015)

*Base Salary Police Cadet $24.05 per hour Probationary Police Officer $23.78 per hour (0-6 months); $24.54 per hour (6-12 months) Police Officer $24.54—$33.63 per hour (Depending on length of service) Police Sergeant $34.32—$38.93 per hour (Depending on length of service) Police Lieutenant $39.53—$45.82 per hour (Depending on length of service) Police Captain $46.23—$50.52 per hour (Depending on length of service) Police Assistand Chief $51.50—$53.05 per hour (Depending on length of service)

Base Salary does not include incentive pay for TCOLE Certification/Education Pay: Longevity Pay; or Shift Differential

Applications must be received at the Deer Park Police Department or at Deer Park City Hall, City of Deer Park Employment. Applications are available online at

http://www.deerparktx.gov/egov/docs/1225835639_903717.pdf.

Police Officers work assigned shifts, perform proactive and reactive patrol; regulate traffic; arrest or cite persons involved in crimes or misconduct; render first aid; investigate motor vehicle accidents; and provide numerous other law enforcement services. They must be proficient in modern law enforcement principles, procedures, techniques and equipment; be able to communicate effectively; and be able to exercise sound judgement in evaluating situations and making wise decisions within department policy and legal guidelines. They must be able to perform tasks requiring good physical condition and are expected to work full time; weekends, holidays and hours other than between 7 am—5 pm.

Minimum Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree by hire date; United States Citizenship; at least 21 yeas of age by time of appointment; Essential Hearing/Vision, Valid Driver’s License; No Conviction(s); for: an Felony, Driving While Intoxicated, Driving Under the Influence of Drugs, Assault Involving Family Violence or any Crime involving Moral Turpitude; have not ever have been on court-ordered community supervision or probation for any criminal offense above the grade of Class B misdemeanor or a Class B misdemeanor within the last ten years from the date of the court order; No illegal drug use within five years; If a veteran, an Honorable Discharge, free of conditions.

For further information contact: Officer Jammas

Ph: 281-930-2121 Email: sjammas@deerparktx.org

Physical Address: Deer Park Police Department 2911 Center Street Deer Park, TX 77536 Mailing Address: Deer Park Police Department P.O. Box 700 Deer Park, TX 77536

The City of Deer Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer of Qualified Individuals

The Pathways Programs for students and recent graduates include the following three components:

The Internship Program is for students (replaced the Student Career Experience Program (SCEP) and the Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP)). It allows students to be exposed to the work of the Government through Federal internships while pursuing their degree. To learn more, please visit:http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-authorities/students-recent-graduates/#url=intern.

The Recent Graduates Program is for individuals who have completed a qualifying educational program within the preceding 2 years (with an exception for certain veterans). It provides developmental opportu-nities for recent graduates. To learn more, please visit: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-authorities/students-recent-graduates/#url=graduates.

Established in 1977, the Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program is a flagship leadership devel-opment program at the entry level for individuals who are currently completing an advanced degree pro-gram (e.g., graduate or professional degree), or who completed the educational requirements for an ad-vanced degree within the preceding 2 years. To learn more, please visit: http://www.pmf.gov.

Abilene Christian University Department of Political Science

December 2015 Newsletter Page 7 of 7

ARE YOU ELIGIBLE?

Understanding how the federal government determines your eligibility and the types of positions available is an important first step in understanding what job opportunities you can apply for. Each job opportunity announcement will state: Who may be

considered, Who may apply, or define an Area of Consideration.

Federal agencies typically seek candidates from one of the three following eligibility categories:

Candidates who are new to the federal government and

have no prior federal employment.

* Non-Citizens

* U.S. Citizens

Candidates who fall under special hiring paths and qualify for

a special non-competitive hiring authority established by law or

executive order. These targeted segments of the population include:

* Individuals with Disabilities

*Military Spouse

*Students & Recent Graduates

*Veterans

Candidates who have current or previous federal employment experience, also known as “status.” Status applicants are current or former Federal civilian employees who hold or held non-temporary appointments in the competitive service, not the excepted service. Status applicants may be eligible for the following under merit promotion procedures:

*Transfer

*CTAP

*ICTAP

* Reinstatement

*Interchange Agreements

In addition, certain veterans eligible under the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) may also apply and be considered under vacancy announcements limited to status applicants. For information, go to VEOA eligibility.