Free and open to the campus community. Drop in for one session or stay for both days.

SAVE THE DATES
Monday, October 19, 2026
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
Heth Hall 014

Good to know before you come!

FOR RADFORD STUDENTS

• POSC and INST classes are replaced by Poli Sci Days sessions 
  on these two days October 19 and October 20, 2026.
• Attend one session for each class meeting missed
• Collect the ticket at each session and give it to your professor

POLI SCI DAY RULES

1. PSD events are held on October 19 and 20, 2026.
2. Political Science (POSC) and International Studies (INST) classes (except mock trial/moot court) are cancelled these two days. Other classes proceed as normal.
3. POSC students must attend one PSD session for each POSC/INST class session missed during the PSD timeframe.
4. Students should submit tickets they receive at their PSD events (with their names and sessions written on them) to their regular professors at the first post-Poli Sci Days class session. Some professors may have additional PSD-related assignments to demonstrate attendance.
5. .Students may attend any Poli Sci Days events they wish (they do not need to attend a session at their normal class time), but events are first come first served. So, don’t wait until last minute.
6. Students using electronic devices in PSD sessions in a manner inconsistent with group learning may be asked to leave. Students so asked will not receive a PSD ticket.

FOR GUESTS

• Alumni, prospective students, and students from other 
  universities are welcome where there is room
• To obtain university guest parking permit, contact the Political Science department's administrative assistant, Ms. Madison Barnes at mbarnes40@radford.edu
• Heth Hall 014 Campus Map [PDF]

SCHEDULE
Monday October 19, 2026

• 12:00pm - Poli Sci Professors Ask Me Anything, with Drs. Rackaway, Joyce, and Tan (Mrs.)
• 1:00pm - How Do I Vote, with Dr. Daniel Reed
• 2:00pm - Who Wins Congress? The 2026 Midterms Decoded, with Dr. Chapman Rackaway
• 3:00pm - AI and the Job Search, with Ms. Rachel Ewing, Center for Career and Talent Development
• 4:00pm - Alumni Panel Discussion on Law School, with Dr. Stephen Joyce

Tuesday October 20, 2026

• 11:00am - From Main Street to the Capitol: A Conversation with Senator Emily Jordan, with Dr. Paige Tan
• 12:30pm - Poli Sci Information Scavenger Hunt, with Dr. Paige Tan
• 2:00pm  -The Signs Are Speaking: Are You Listening? Pause. Notice. Connect (on Finding Support for Anxiety/Stress), with Ms. Sheron Henry-Smith, Associate Dean of Students, and Mr. David Diana, Director, Student Counseling and Substance and Violence Education and Support
• 3:30pm - Analyzing Putin, with Dr. Paige Tan 

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DETAILED SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Monday October 19, 2026 
 
12:00pm - Poli Sci Professor Ask Me (Almost) Anything with Drs. Rackaway, Joyce, and Tan (Mrs.)  
Come ask your poli sci professors almost anything. This was fun last year, so come out and learn something about your professors and talk some politics. 
 
1:00pm - How Do I Vote, with Dr. Daniel Reed  
In November 2026, Virginia voters will head to the polls to choose a candidate for the US Senate and US House of Representatives (as well as some local races, depending on city/county).  Would you like to vote in this year’s elections (but you may not know how to do it)?  Join Dr. Daniel Reed for an informational session on voting: learn how to register to vote, how to find your polling place, how to ensure that your vote is counted, and much more! 
 
2:00pm - Who Wins Congress? The 2026 Midterms Decoded, with Dr. Chapman Rackaway 
With Democrats holding a commanding lead in the generic ballot and Republicans clinging to razor-thin majorities in both chambers, the 2026 midterms are shaping up to be one of the most consequential elections in a generation. Join Dr. Chapman Rackaway for a deep dive into the forces deciding control of Congress — from unprecedented mid-decade redistricting to the record-breaking fundraising fueling the fight. The session closes with a close-up look at Virginia's own role in the drama, including the marquee Hampton Roads showdown that could help determine which party runs the House of Representatives. 
 
3:00pm - AI and the Job Search, with Ms. Rachel Ewing, Assistant Director, Center for Career and Talent Development 
Artificial intelligence is transforming the way employers recruit, screen candidates, and make hiring decisions. This session, hosted by the Center for Career and Talent Development, explores how AI is being used throughout the hiring process and how students can leverage AI tools effectively and ethically in their own job searches. Learn practical strategies for finding opportunities, strengthening application materials, and avoiding common pitfalls as you begin applying for jobs. Whether you're searching for an internship or a full-time position, you'll leave with actionable tips to help you succeed in a job market increasingly influenced by AI. 
 
4:00pm  - Alumni Panel Discussion on Law School, with Dr. Stephen Joyce 
Join Dr. Stephen M. Joyce for a panel discussion about law school and legal careers with two Radford alumni currently in law school, Randy Dillow (2L at Appalachian School of Law) and Max Carollo (2L at Regent). Are you considering going to law school? Get the inside scoop on how to both successfully apply to law school and thrive once you get there. Learn how to make your dream of a legal career a reality. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions of the panelists. 
 
Tuesday October 20, 2026 
 
11:00am - From Main Street to the Capitol: A Conversation with Senator Emily Jordan, with Dr. Paige Tan 
Join us for a special Poli Sci Days session with Virginia State Senator Emily Jordan (District 17), who will share her path from small business owner to the Virginia House of Delegates and now the State Senate. Senator Jordan will speak candidly about what it's really like to serve as an elected leader before opening the floor to student questions. Whether you're considering a career in public service, campaigns, or policy, this is a rare chance to hear directly from a sitting legislator and ask her (almost) anything. 
 
12:30pm - Poli Sci Scavenger Hunt, with Dr. Paige Tan 
Participate in a hunt for answers to poli sci questions on diverse topics using quality information sources. Bring a device to hunt on!
 
2:00pm - The Signs Are Speaking: Are You Listening? Pause. Notice. Connect (on Anxiety/Stress), with Ms. Sheron Henry-Smith, Associate Dean of Students, and Mr. David Diana, Director, Student Counseling and Substance and Violence Education and Support.  Join us for an engaging and interactive workshop where you'll learn to recognize the signs of stress, understand when additional support may be needed, and explore strategies and resources that promote well-being.  

3:30pm - Analyzing Putin, with Dr. Paige Tan 
We’ll look into the life experience and personality of Vladimir Putin and apply the intelligence community’s lens of “leadership analysis” to see if we can understand the mercurial leader’s choices and appetite for risk. 

QUESTIONS?
Please contact the Political Science department administrative assistant, Ms. Madison Barnes at mbarnes40@radford.edu or the Poli Sci Days coordinator, Paige Tan, Ph.D., at etan3@radford.edu.