McLean is set to be president through May 2024.

Founded in 1949, the New England Political Science Association is the oldest regional political science organization in the Northeast, seeking to facilitate the exchange of knowledge among people interested in political science, encourage research on political matters, improve the teaching of political science and advance the practices and art of politics and governance.

McLean expressed his appreciation for his volunteer-based role and noted his excitement for being a leader in the field of political science.

“It is a great honor to be recognized by my fellow political scientists in the New England region as a good leader and representative of the political science profession,” he said. “The job as president of the New England Political Science Association is a volunteer position and I will be taking the lead in setting up the organization’s annual April conference, proposing the themes in the keynote speaker programming for the event and making financial decisions about the organization’s funds.”

McLean is excited to play a vital role in the success of the NEPSA annual conference, he said, taking place on April 18-20 this year.

“The most exciting thing is arranging for the annual meeting in Newport Rhode Island and finding the best possible speakers to discuss cutting-edge issues in political science today,” said McLean.

McLean explained that volunteering and developing relationships are passions that drove him to where he is today.

“I have always been a person who is interested in developing a broad network of friendships and professional connections,” he said. “I did that by being willing to step up and volunteer for various tasks in the organization over many years.”

Mclean explains that his new position will offer future opportunities for students and open exciting doors, some of which Quinnipiac was a catalyst of.

“Being president opens up opportunities for students to present their work at the undergraduate research section of the annual NEPSA conference,” he said. “Four years ago, the conference was held in New Haven, and Quinnipiac was willing to purchase an ad in the program in order to support undergrads in presenting their research in this way.”