POLIS
The University of Florida's foremost pre-professional government society for students interested in government, policy, and public service.
Become a Founding Member
Who We Are
Pi Lambda Sigma, also known as POLIS, was founded in 2016 by Cornell alumnus Sam Barnett as a pre-professional government society for students interested in public service, government, policy, and legal studies. Since its founding, POLIS has grown into a network of chapters at universities including the University of Pennsylvania, Columbia University, Dartmouth College, and now the University of Florida.
POLIS brings together students from all majors who are passionate about public service and the institutions that shape society. Our mission is to create a strong support system for students pursuing careers in public service, politics, legal studies, government, policy, advocacy, and civic leadership while providing professional development opportunities, mentorship, and hands-on experience.
Our fellows have diverse interests ranging from legal studies and foreign policy to economics, education, public health, immigrant rights, climate justice, and community advocacy. Through this diversity of interests and experiences, POLIS aims to make public service more accessible, inclusive, and representative while building a network of future leaders committed to ethical public service leadership.
Why POLIS?
Through professional development, mentorship, advocacy, service, and networking opportunities, POLIS prepares students to pursue careers in public service, politics, legal studies, government, policy, and civic leadership.
POLIS is more than just a professional society. It is a community for students who want to lead, serve, and shape the future of public leadership.
As a Founding Fellow, you will help build its culture, traditions, programming, and long-term impact at the University of Florida.
Mission
Our mission is to build a strong community of students pursuing careers in public service, politics, law, government, and policy while providing professional development opportunities, mentorship, and hands-on experience.
POLIS is committed to preparing students for careers in law, government, policy, public service, and civic leadership while making those fields more accessible, inclusive, and representative. As a nonpartisan pre-professional society, we bring together students from all majors who are passionate about public service, ethical leadership, and the institutions that shape society.
Our work goes beyond traditional professional development. POLIS aims to build a support network for future leaders years before they enter the field.
Our mission is centered on three key goals
As a founding chapter, POLIS seeks to build more than a professional organization. We are building a community of students who care about service, representation, and the future of public leadership.