Honors Political Science Major Selected to Attend Ralph Bunche Summer Institute at Duke University

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Jordan Farris

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The American Political Science Association recently selected Jordan Farris, an undergraduate in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, to attend the prestigious 2019 Ralph Bunche Summer Institute at Duke University.

Farris is a junior Honors political science major. The Marianna native is also a Walmart Endowed and Camden and Sue Greene Scholar. His academic achievements have earned him recognition on the Fulbright College Dean's List (2017-2018) and Chancellor's List (2018).

"Jordan is an outstanding student who has a passion for the communities he desires to impact with his future scholarship. The Bunche Program is designed for students like Jordan. These students have great potential and their trajectory will be broadened by engaging with others who have similar goals and faculty who believe in their future," said Farris' mentor, Pearl K. Dowe, associate professor and chair of political science. "I'm confident he is well on his way to an outstanding career in political science and higher education."

The Ralph Bunche Summer Institute is named in honor of the 1950 Nobel Peace Prize winner and former APSA president, Ralph J. Bunche. The institute is a five-week academically intensive summer program designed to simulate the graduate school experience, provide mentoring and training in research methods, expand academic opportunities and to address under-representation in the discipline of political science. The institute is co-sponsored by the American Political Science Association and Duke University.

In addition to his academic achievements, Farris has also excelled as a campus leader in roles including being an academic coach to eight first-year undergraduate students involved in the Center for Multicultural and Diversity Education, being a mentor and residential assistant to first-year students, a Student Ambassador for the university, and a founding father of Theta Chi Fraternity.

After completing his undergraduate education in 2020, Farris plans to work towards his doctoral degree in political science with a focus in public policy.

"I plan to seek a doctoral degree in political science to strengthen my advocacy for marginalized communities," Farris said. "I believe the most effective way to initiate and galvanize change is through public policy. Additionally, I think diversity in policy making is essential because it ensures that groups of all races are adequately represented in government."   

Jordan was also selected to attend the Harvard Kennedy School's esteemed Public Policy Leadership Conference in February 2018. The selective conference introduces driven and talented first- and second-year undergraduate students to the graduate school environment.

"The conference was transformative. I was able to see myself attending one of the top universities in the country," Jordan said.

For more information about American Political Science Association or the Ralph Bunche Summer Institute, please visit www.apsanet.org.