Expanding opportunities in the Department of Political Science

Political science has always intrigued Seth Wiederin.

“I’ve always been interested in what’s happening in the world, how the world works, and how everything is connected.”

So, it’s no wonder that Wiederin (’25 political science) pursued a political science major at Iowa State. He is interested in international studies and security issues, especially related to Europe and the Indo-Pacific. After graduation from Iowa State, Wiederin plans to attend graduate school and then work for the U.S. government or a national security think tank.

Supportive faculty

Through advising, mentorship, and real-world experiences, Iowa State’s Department of Political Science faculty have provided Wiederin with exciting and valuable opportunities that support his future career aspirations.

“Dr. Ellen Pirro has been a great help,” Wiederin said. “I feel like she took me under her wing. She’s been a mentor, and she’s helped me with looking at grad schools and what do I want to do with my degree.”

Learning opportunities that open doors

Wiederin took advantage of numerous learning opportunities while pursuing his political science degree. As part of the International Securities Studies class, Wiederin gained real-world knowledge about national security and military maneuvers. In fall 2025, he was one of 23 Iowa State students who participated in tabletop exercises at United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) at Offutt Air Force Base near Omaha, Nebraska.

“It was a real-life experience of what we’ve been studying,” Wiederin said. “It was so rewarding.”

In conjunction with the class and his visit to USSTRATCOM, Wiederin also had the opportunity to submit two papers, the second of which was co-authored with Pirro, to USSTRATCOM for their annual Academic Alliance Conference. While neither paper received an award, the experience he gained from this process will one day help him with publishing his research.

Wiederin’s knowledge of international studies was enhanced further when Pirro invited him to attend a lecture given by Ryan Crocker, former U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan, at Drake University’s Harkin Center in March 2025. The lecture offered a glimpse into modern American diplomacy, which Wiederin said was “very insightful.”

As Wiederin wraps up his college career, he has gained a new world view, thanks to his political science major. He now understands that multiple factors influence every situation.

“My perspective has changed,” Wiederin said. “Nothing is as simple as it seems.”