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Students get an 'Early Start' at ASU School of Politics and Global Studies

Political science freshman students at the School of Politics and Global Studies get an early, up close and personal look of ASU.

Early Start Program

Students participate in the Early Start program through the School of Politics and Global Studies.


Through the School of Politics and Global Studies Early Start program, political science freshmen had the chance to get important political experience and a head start on college credits.

Political science professor Gina Woodall and Associate Director of the SPGS school Richard Herrera, lead the SPGS Early Start program to assist first-year political science students as they take their first steps into a new chapter of their lives: college.

“I think the program is necessary because ASU is a big place,” Woodall said. “Students are coming from all over the country (and world) and we wanted to provide them with a program where they can build community with their peers, a few professors, as well as other SPGS staff, while learning some political science.”

Woodall said that even though college might be daunting at first, her advice to new ASU students is that it is important to stay open-minded and focused while on your college journey.

“Everybody at this university is either a college freshman or was a college freshman. We have all been in your shoes,” Woodall said. “Embrace being uncomfortable, keep an open mind, make an effort to make friends who come from different backgrounds than your own and go to class.”

Political science sophomore Chloe Lopez, who is one of the peer mentors in the Early Start program and an Early Start alumna, said she gained invaluable skills that she wanted to share with incoming freshman this year.

“The program equipped me with the tools to find a community and opportunities I would not have found elsewhere,” Lopez said. “I decided to come back and mentor so I could help give back to the program that helped me jump-start my future.”

Not only do students get to move into their dorms early, but they also get to participate in a plethora of activities, including meeting and talking to guest speakers, taking a social science methods class and going on field trips.

The group participated in night activities together, where they watched and discussed the Republican primary debate. ASU's newest students visited Old Main to meet the Student Alumni Association, where they learned the fight song.

Political science freshman and Early Start participant Armando Diaz said he was eager to start the program since his orientation. He enjoyed when Rep. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) came to share her inspirational story.

“Krysten spoke to us about where she came from and her situation as a child and how she overcame it,” Diaz explained. “Hearing her speak about how she took advantage of all the offers and help out there really just motivates you to go out there and work as hard as you can and to not walk past any opportunity presented in your way.”

Political science freshman and Early Start participant Cameron Ryan Canete said that he was thankful for the experience and he has made it a goal to get more involved at ASU in the coming semester.

“I learned that don’t be afraid to do things at ASU just jump out and do it and that’s exactly what I’m doing,” Canete said. “I’m joining and getting involved in an on-campus church, (Student Alumni Association), the Italian club and hopefully many other organizations.”


Reach the reporter at sgreene6@asu.edu or follow @thesydneygreene on Twitter.

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