When Maxwell asks students in the international relations and public administration programs why they chose Maxwell, the school hears praise for the curriculum and the faculty, respect for the programs’ outstanding reputations, and confidence that the degree will lead to a good job.

But we also hear something else, over and over. “You returned my phone calls.” “You knew who I was when I called.” “I started getting personal e-mail from you as soon as I applied.” As soon as they arrive on campus, students in the professional programs become part of an environment characterized by camaraderie and collegiality. Students describe it as warmth. A lack of pretension. A sense that “we are all part of the same community.” They quickly learn that the words “supportive” and “staff” come in the same breath at Maxwell. Because your entire class is small, and your individual classes are small, you will know everyone in your program and many others in the school. And this is just the beginning. Those relationships, forged in the intensity of a concentrated calendar and nurtured in common academic adventures, will last a lifetime. Professors in the Department of Public Administration teach only graduate students. Many who teach international relations teach only graduate students. All have offices in Maxwell or Eggers Hall. Making time for students outside of the classroom is part of their jobs. Excellent teaching matters at Maxwell.

Many Maxwell professors establish a second home at one of the school’s six multidisciplinary research centers, inviting graduate students to work with them on a wide range of public policy issues. For many students, this experience establishes professional relationships that extend well beyond Maxwell.

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