Page 9 - 2017 Annual Report

PROGRAMS & INITIATIVES

RALPH BUNCHE SUMMER INSTITUTE (RBSI)

Over the past 31 years, the APSA Ralph Bunche Summer Institute (RBSI) has inspired over 500 undergraduate students
to consider pursuing academic careers in political science by exposing them to graduate-level coursework in research
methodology and racial and ethnic politics.

Rising college seniors from across the country participate in an intensive 5 1/2 week program intended to simulate
the graduate school experience through hands-on experience with an introduction to political science inquiry and
scholarship.. Over the year, the RBSI program has been held at various universities. Since 2000, RBSI has been hosted
by Duke University, bringing in up to 20 undergraduate students each summer. The Institute also provides professional
development, talks from senior political scientists, a GRE prep course, transferable credits, and a strong ethics
component—with readings, cases, debates and lectures on issues within an academic setting.

Representatives from a number of leading PhD-granting institutions from across the country (many of whom are program
alumni) participate in a recruitment fair at RBSI to discuss their doctoral programs. Students prepare original, empirical
final research papers. Each year, students who excel at the Institute and on the final project are invited to present research
posters at the APSA Annual Meeting. The 2017 RBSI Class was comprised of 14 students from colleges and universities
from around the country. Seven of the 2017 RBSI Scholars attended the 2017 Annual Meeting to present their research.

ALUMNI OUTCOMES
RBSI Alumni go on to attend graduate school in political science (and in other disciplines), receive their PhDs and enter
the professoriate. Since 1986, 545 students have attended the RBSI program and thus far, 70 (13%) have received PhDs
in political science. This outcome is on par or higher than other pipeline similar programs. There are currently a number
of RBSI alumni that are in political science PhD programs. Of the RBSI alumni who have earned PhDs in political science,
46 (65%) hold tenure track faculty positions. Read the RBSI Alumni reflections that were collected as part of the 30th
anniversary: www.apsanet.org/RBSIalumnireflections or www.apsanet.org/rbsi.

RBSI ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The RBSI Advisory Committee, chaired by RBSI Alumna Nadia Brown, is currently working is to assist the APSA Council,
APSA leadership, and APSA staff with planning the mid and long term future of the RBSI program; sustainability & growth
of RBSI program; the future format, partnerships, and funding strategies; and to provide leadership in the governance of
the use of Bunche Fund. For more information, visit: http://www.apsanet.org/bunchefund.