Skip to Main Content Skip to Footer
Rider University Home

Popular Searches

  • Bookstore
  • Campus Directory
  • Campus Map
  • Canvas
  • Commencement
  • Housing and Dining
  • Human Resources
  • Majors and Programs
  • Parking
  • Transcript Requests
  • myRider

Header Menu (Mobile)

About
  • Why Choose Rider
  • Virtual Tour
  • Rider Stories
  • Upcoming Events
  • News@Rider
  • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
  • Campus Directory
  • Offices and Services
  • Leadership
  • Consumer Information
  • Commencement
  • Contact Us
Academics
  • Program Finder
  • Colleges and Schools
  • Engaged Learning
  • Academic Calendars
  • Academic Support Services
  • Academic Programs and Opportunities
  • Career Development and Success
  • Centers and Institutes
  • Course Catalog
  • University Library
Admissions
  • Apply Now
  • First-Year Admissions
  • Transfer Admissions
  • Graduate Admissions
  • International Admissions
  • Continuing Education Admissions
  • J-term Winter and Summer Sessions
  • University Partnerships
  • Veterans and Military
  • Visit Options
  • Contact Admissions
Tuition and Aid
  • Financial Aid and Scholarships
  • Tuition and Fees
  • First-Year and Transfer Student Resources
  • Returning Student Resources
  • Graduate Student Resources
  • Continuing Education Student Resources
Student Life
  • Housing and Dining
  • Campus Events and Traditions
  • Activities and Organizations
  • Fraternities and Sororities
  • Health and Wellness
  • Arts and Culture
  • Intramural and Club Sports
Athletics
  • Go Broncs Website
  • Athletic Facilities and Directions
  • Upcoming Events
  • Apply
  • Visit
  • Inquire
  • Presidential Search
    • Gmail
    • Canvas
    • myRider
    • Report an incident
    • BroncNation
    • 25Live
    • Zoom
    • Technology HelpDesk
    • Facilities Work Orders
    • Campus Directory
    • Apporto
    • Prospective Students and Families
    • Prospective Faculty and Staff
    • Current Students
    • Current Faculty and Staff
    • Alumni
  • Give
Home
  • Apply
  • Visit
  • Inquire
  • Presidential Search
    • Gmail
    • Canvas
    • myRider
    • Report an incident
    • BroncNation
    • 25Live
    • Zoom
    • Technology HelpDesk
    • Facilities Work Orders
    • Campus Directory
    • Apporto
    • Prospective Students and Families
    • Prospective Faculty and Staff
    • Current Students
    • Current Faculty and Staff
    • Alumni
  • Give
  • About
    Why Choose Rider
    Virtual Tour
    Rider Stories
    Upcoming Events
    News@Rider
    Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
    Campus Directory
    Offices and Services
    Leadership
    Consumer Information
    Commencement
    Contact Us
  • Academics
    Program Finder
    Colleges and Schools
    Engaged Learning
    Academic Calendars
    Academic Support Services
    Academic Programs and Opportunities
    Career Development and Success
    Centers and Institutes
    Course Catalog
    University Library
  • Admissions
    Apply Now
    First-Year Admissions
    Transfer Admissions
    Graduate Admissions
    International Admissions
    Continuing Education Admissions
    J-term Winter and Summer Sessions
    University Partnerships
    Veterans and Military
    Visit Options
    Contact Admissions
  • Tuition and Aid
    Financial Aid and Scholarships
    Tuition and Fees
    First-Year and Transfer Student Resources
    Returning Student Resources
    Graduate Student Resources
    Continuing Education Student Resources
  • Student Life
    Housing and Dining
    Campus Events and Traditions
    Activities and Organizations
    Fraternities and Sororities
    Health and Wellness
    Arts and Culture
    Intramural and Club Sports
  • Athletics
    Go Broncs Website
    Athletic Facilities and Directions
    Upcoming Events

Popular Searches

  • Bookstore
  • Campus Directory
  • Campus Map
  • Canvas
  • Commencement
  • Housing and Dining
  • Human Resources
  • Majors and Programs
  • Parking
  • Transcript Requests
  • myRider
Department of Government, Politics and Law

Department of Government, Politics and Law

  • Home
  • Academics
  • Colleges and Schools
  • College of Arts and Sciences
  • School of Humanities and Social Sciences
  • SHSS Faculty and Departments
  • Department of Government, Politics and Law

Faculty and Departments

  • Washington Semester Program
  • Model United Nations
  • Meet our faculty

Faculty and Departments

  • Washington Semester Program
  • Model United Nations
  • Meet our faculty
Related links
    Rebovich Institute for New Jersey Politics
    Rider Mock Trial

Contact

Olivia Newman

Associate Professor, Department Chair

Fine Arts Building

onewman [at] rider.edu

(609) 896-5268

Academic Focus: Political Science

Department overview

Become a leader of tomorrow

The study of politics and government is an important part of a well-rounded liberal arts education. As a student in the Department of Government, Politics and Law, you will gain skills in critical thinking, written and oral communication, and problem-solving. These skills will serve you well in any career.

Our programs

  • Political Science, B.A. 
  • Health Care Policy (Minor)
  • Homeland Security Policy (Minor)
  • Political Communication (Minor)
  • Political Science (Minor)
Tapestry in Washington, D.C.

Learning by doing

Rider offers students the opportunity to connect with people in charge of our nation’s governance and security all over the world. Our Washington Semester Program allows students to intern in Washington, D.C. while taking courses at the American University.

Learn more

Join the club

Connect with like-minded students to discuss politics and current events at the local, national and global levels. Learn first-hand about various issues in international politics and economics, while also learning how to speak extemporaneously in front of large audiences, to take leadership initiatives in debates and caucusing, to work cooperatively with diverse groups of people to solve common problems, to fashion workable compromises through negotiation and innovation, and to grow in self-knowledge and self-confidence.

  • Global Studies Society
  • Model United Nations
  • Political Science Club
  • Rider College Democrats
  • Rider University College Republicans
Model UN is an opportunity to improve public speaking, writing and research skills, while simultaneously learning about a new country and the United Nations as a whole. Being on the team has provided me and countless other alum with the connections and stronger skills needed to enter professional life."
Carissa Zanfardino ‘20

Learn from leadership

Our government, politics and law faculty members are active researchers and practitioners who bring their expertise into the classroom. Rider students find many opportunities to collaborate with faculty on research and present their work at disciplinary conferences.

Recent research areas include:

  • the politics of gas and oil pipelines
  • campaign finance and political corruption
  • the role of Hip Hop for underprivileged migrant youth
  • world opinion and the Northern Ireland Peace Process
  • the role of private military companies in African conflicts
  • the role of ignorance in American politics and political thought
Brick wall

Rise through the ranks

Our alumni inspire us every day, and the list keeps getting longer. See the exciting things these Broncs have done with their degrees.  

  • Alexis Bailey ‘19: Kaufman Zita Group (top 5 contract lobbying firm in NJ) 
  • Kate Bradley ‘17: Deputy Chief of Staff to Hamilton Mayor Jeff Martin
  • Craig Carpenito ’96: U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey 
  • Petra Gaskins ‘15:  Director of Outreach & Programming for Congresswoman Bonnie Watson-Coleman
  • Jillian Montilla ‘18: Ambassador for UN Women’s Generation Equality Campaign 
  • Hunter Morgen ‘16: Special Assistant to the President and Policy Specialist (2018-2019)
  • Nina Rodriguez ‘17: first Latina editor-in-chief at the Rutgers University Law Review-Camden
  • Kayla Walden ‘17, ‘18: Intelligence Analyst at Tam-C Solutions

Put it into practice

Rider’s Government, Politics and Law students have many opportunities for hands-on Engaged Learning:

  • The Rebovich Institute for New Jersey Politics places students in internships in NJ, PA, NY, DC and beyond, offering fellowships to support students during unpaid summer internships. The Institute also brings many noteworthy speakers to campus, including former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich (R) and Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-D).
  • Rider’s award-winning Model United Nations (MUN) team has received Outstanding Delegation (the highest award) eight out of the last nine years. Students in MUN earn course credit while preparing to represent their delegation in an annual week-long conference at the United Nations in New York City.
  • Global Village® courses allow students to take a semester-long course virtually alongside students in places like Iraq and Northern Ireland.
  • The Government, Politics and Law faculty also offers multiple teach-ins every semester, in which faculty members offer expert analysis of current events in politics. Students also lead teach-ins about their experiences outside the classroom, including Model UN.

Faculty and Departments

  • Washington Semester Program
  • Model United Nations
  • Meet our faculty
Related links
    Rebovich Institute for New Jersey Politics
    Rider Mock Trial

Contact

Olivia Newman

Associate Professor, Department Chair

Fine Arts Building

onewman [at] rider.edu

(609) 896-5268

Academic Focus: Political Science

Apply
Visit
Inquire
Give

Rider University
2083 Lawrenceville Road
Lawrenceville, NJ 08648

Main: 609-896-5000
Admissions: 800-257-9026

Information on rider.edu may be subject to change.

connect with us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • TikTok

Visit

  • Events for Prospective Students
  • Directions to Campus
  • Campus Map
  • Virtual Tour
  • Contact Admissions
  • Events for Prospective Students
  • Directions to Campus
  • Campus Map
  • Virtual Tour
  • Contact Admissions

Get Help

  • Contact Us
  • Transcript Requests
  • Offices & Services
  • Public Safety
  • Academic Program Finder
  • Title IX
  • Contact Us
  • Transcript Requests
  • Offices & Services
  • Public Safety
  • Academic Program Finder
  • Title IX

Engage

  • Give
  • Alumni
  • Events & Performances
  • myRider
  • Job Opportunities
  • Give
  • Alumni
  • Events & Performances
  • myRider
  • Job Opportunities

Stay Informed

  • Campus Updates
  • News@Rider
  • University Library
  • University Marketing & Communications
  • Campus Updates
  • News@Rider
  • University Library
  • University Marketing & Communications
© Rider University
Privacy Policy Cookie Policy Contact Us