Two Detroit Mercy Political Science students represented the University at the Michigan Political Science Association (MIPSA) Conference, hosted by Wayne State University on October 16–17, 2025. Morgen Rhodes, President of the Political Science Student Association, and Isabelle Francis, Alumni Relations Chair, each presented on research panels alongside faculty and peers from across the state.
Morgen presented on the panel “Democracy: Populism, Backsliding, and Constitutionalism” with her talk, “Digital Authoritarianism and the Jacksonian Echo: Rhetoric, Media, and U.S. Democratic Backsliding.” Isabelle joined the panel “Terrorism in International Relations: Theories, Applications, and Challenges” to present “Global Politics: Terrorism and Interstate Disputes,” applying realism political theory to modern terrorism studies. The conference also featured remarks from former U.S. Representative Andy Levin. Both students were invited to return for another Wayne State conference in the spring—an acknowledgment of their strong academic work and professional promise.