Political Science

Internships are a vital component in preparing students for future careers. The experience is designed to combine the theoretical knowledge learned in the classroom with practical work experience. Students can apply for local and state internships and study abroad. There are also opportunities to attend seminars and conferences with the United Nations. Molloy students have experienced government directly while interning with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Senator Todd Kaminsky, Congressman Peter King, the Nassau County Executive Office and others. These are excellent ways to gain practical experience and network with a community of professionals in your chosen career path.

Our curriculum at Molloy College can prepare you for a career in Political Science with a BA, or for Graduate Studies. You will acquire the necessary knowledge in American, European, International politics, and strengthen your critical thinking, analytical, writing and communication skills that will prepare you for a career in a number of fields including:

• Federal, State, and Local Government
  
• Lawyers and Paralegals
  
• Public Administration
  
• Record Managers
  
• Nonprofit Organizations
  
• International Organizations
  
• Private and Public Foundations
  
• Diplomacy
  
• Publishing and Editing
  
• Public Policy
  
• Journalism
  
• Campaigns and Polling
  
• Risk Management
  
• Professional Researcher
  
• Professor
  
• Fundraiser
  
• Interest Group Lobbyist
  
• Intelligence Analysts
  
• Law Enforcement
  
• Information Technology Management
  
• Documentary Film and Media
  
• Library Sciences

Pi Sigma Alpha is the National Political Science Honor Society founded in 1920. Its purpose is to recognize and promote high academic achievement in the field of Political Science. The Molloy Chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, known as the Alpha Kappa Phi Chapter, was established in March 2016. The Honor Society is open to Juniors and Seniors with a declared major or minor in Political Science. Students must maintain a grade of B or better in all Political Science courses. They must complete at least one upper-level course and have completed 12 credits of course work in the discipline. The students must rank in the upper third of their classes.

The History & Political Science Club brings history and politics to life by taking students on field trips to political institutions, museums, etc. Students also get to interact with guest speakers who will lecture on their areas of expertise.

We look out for as many opportunities as we can find to acquaint Molloy students with their own history and that of their area. Any student with a penchant for the past and an interest in joining us on a trip or at a speaking engagement can sign up to become a member and leave their email address on this page to be notified of upcoming events.

The minor in political science provides students with a solid foundation in the political systems of the United States, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.  A minor in Political Science would be useful to students interested in earning a law degree, entering the business world, working in the health professions, or becoming an historian, journalist, or social worker, among other careers. Political scientists study how politics and power work, and also critically examine political trends, which are skills that would be beneficial to a variety of employers. For more information on the minor requirements click here:

Molloy University - Political Science Minor

The minor in history provides students with a solid foundation in United States and European history (12 credits) with the opportunity to also take electives (6 credits) in areas such as World History. A minor in History would be valuable to students who wish to attend Law School, enter the business world, or become a journalist, political scientist, librarian, or sociologist, among other careers. History students learn how to examine change over time, put major issues into perspective. and to critically read documents, skills which employers and graduate schools highly prize. For more information on the minor requirements click here:

Molloy University - History Minor

Kristen Blake, Professor of History and Political Science, earned her Ph.D. in Inner Asian and Altaic Studies from Harvard University. Her expertise is on US Foreign Policy, International Relations, and Politics of Developing Nations. She has served as Chair of the department and was the recipient of the Faculty Teaching Award and the Distinguished Medal of Service. Courses taught include: Fundamentals of Government, American National Government, Women in Politics, International Relations, Politics of Developing Nations, Comparative Politics I & II, History and Politics of the Middle East, History of China, and History of Russia.

Email: kblake@molloy.edu

Phone: 516-323-3826

Eric Cimino, Associate Professor and Chair, Ph.D. (Stony Brook University, SUNY). Professor Cimino is a historian of the Progressive Era United States, with an emphasis on New York City and Social Welfare History. His research has focused on the anti-trafficking efforts of the Travelers' Aid movement in New York City and London. He also has written about disaster relief for Titanic survivors. His current research project is on New York’s experience during the 1918 influenza pandemic. At Molloy, Professor Cimino has taught courses in United States, New York, Chinese, and Indian history, as well as American politics. 

His research can be read here: https://molloy.elsevierpure.com/en/persons/eric-c-cimino

Email: ecimino@molloy.edu

Phone: 516-323-3831

Sheryl Gordon, Visiting Assistant Professor, received her Ph.D. with a major in Modern European History and a minor in Intellectual History from The Graduate Center at CUNY.  My current research focuses on issues relating to WWI, Gender, Transnational Intellectual Thought, Progressivism, and Imperialism. I teach Western Civilization I, Western Civilization II, US Since World War II, American Civilization II, American National Government, and Women in America.  I really love how the subjects all connect to each other and by studying any aspect of history you get such a great perspective on life and current events. 

Email: sgordon@molloy.edu

Phone: 516-323-3830

Matthew Record is an assistant professor of American Politics in the History and Political Science department at Molloy University. Matthew was previously a Professor of Public Administration at San Jose State University from 2017-2021 and American Politics & Policy at Drake University from 2021-2023. 

Matthew’s research interest focuses on housing policy, local capitalism, and civic society. His work explores how the people who populate local institutions — local business owners and residents — shape, or fail to shape, civic attitudes regarding how to address local problems. Where are we succeeding at providing people with appropriate housing? What programs and which institutional actors act as gatekeepers? What happens to the people that systematically fall through the cracks?

Before earning his doctorate in Public Policy and Management from the John Glenn College of Public Affairs at Ohio State University, Matthew worked as a real estate appraiser and appraisal reviewer before and during the height of the housing boom in the mid-2000s- often examining reports and corroborating the research in an overheated market where drive-by, low documentation and sloppy reports were the norm. In 2007, the real estate market crashed and his work shifted to the dark side of an economic boom period: researching and inspecting abandoned homes that had been foreclosed upon - often in such a hasty manner that the families had to leave many of their possessions behind. 

In addition to his academic placements, Matthew has worked as a policy research assistant at the Ohio Housing Finance Agency in 2013 and 2014, worked under a research contract for Fannie Mae from 2015-2017 and most recently has been contracted to explore homeless service responses in the city of Des Moines. His work with co-author Elizabeth Talbert won the Engaged Campus Award for Community Collaboration from the Iowa & Minnesota Campus Compact in 2023. 

Aside from being a political junkie, Matthew is a musician (sort of, a drummer) and an avid boardgamer who is deeply interested in how games can be used to simulate and reinforce educational goals. 

Email:   mrecord@molloy.edu

Phone:  516-323-3829