October 23, 2009

BCU Hosts Great Plains Political Science Association

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – Briar Cliff University recently hosted more than 40 political scientists from North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska and Missouri during the 12^th Annual Meeting of the Great Plains Political Science Association on the Briar Cliff campus.

Assisting with the event were Briar Cliff University political science majors Jason Wesselmann, Remsen, Iowa; Jason Bring, Lyons, Neb.; Matthew Chicoine, Sioux City; Joanne Sweeney, Cheyenne, Wyo.; Lesley Strauss, Loveland, Colo.; and Matthew Wanning, Glenwood, Iowa. The meeting was organized by Lisa Bryan, Ph.D., assistant professor of political science at Briar Cliff and vice president of the Great Plains Political Science Association.

At the meeting, participants presented research papers and joined in roundtable discussions. In addition, Dr. Bryan presented “Charter Schools and the No Child Left Behind Act: A Study in State Policy Implementation, 2003-2008,” which she co-wrote with Ramona S. McNeal of the University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls.

The Great Plains Political Science Association was created in 1997 to promote the study of political science and public affairs.

Briar Cliff University is a Catholic institution with an enrollment of more than 1,100 students from 28 states. Students are educated in the Franciscan tradition of excellence in the liberal arts and career preparation in an environment of care and compassion. For more information, please visit www.briarcliff.edu.

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