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IR Leadership and Staff Team

The Staff Team of the International Relations Program is dedicated to student service.  We strive to create a warm, friendly, and collegial environment that fosters the development of meaningful connections among all members of the Maxwell-IR community.  The academic and professional success of our students remains our ultimate goal.  The IR Staff Team truly is a team--we solve problems together, laugh together, and we welcome your visits to our home base at 225 Eggers!

IR Program Chair (incoming), IR Professor of Practice

Ambassador Donald Planty

Ambassador Planty is a former career member of the Senior Foreign Service of the United States and has held posts in Europe, Latin America and Washington.  He was the US Ambassador to Guatemala from 1996-99, where he was instrumental in helping end Guatemala’s 36 year long civil war.  To visit Ambassador Planty's website, please click here.

IR Program Chair (outgoing), Public Diplomacy Program Co-Director, Professor of Political Science

Matt Bonham

Matt maintains responsibility for the overall leadership and intellectual development of the IR Program.  In addition, he currently teaches two of the Program's core courses, namely Comparative Foreign Policy and Qualitative Skills for IR.  To visit Matt's website, please click here. 

Global Programs Coordinator

Samantha Clemence

Samantha manages the IR-Syracuse end of our off-campus Global Programs in the US, Latin America, Europe, Africa, and Asia.  She also advises students on career and internship opportunities. Samantha helps students bridge academic training at Maxwell with the practicalities of preparing for a global career.

Director of Undergrad. Studies, Assoc. Prof. of Political Science

Francine D'Amico

Francine is the main academic advisor for the Undergraduate Program in International Relations.  She also teaches several undergraduate courses in Political Science and International Relations and acts as a faculty sponsor of the IR Learning Community.  To visit Francine's website, please click here.  

Admissions Coordinator/Graduate Senior Recorder

Janis Gray

Janis serves as our information officer. She is responsible for maintaining the student database and records for all graduate students. She processes all applications to the IR graduate program and assists graduate students with the degree certification process, administrative forms, and academic procedures.

Assistant Director

Deanna Phillips

Deanna manages the IR budgets, both in Syracuse and Washington, and serves as a liaison to the Graduate School and Maxwell administration.  She is our resident expert on University procedures and logistics.  Deanna also does most of the event planning for IR and acts as the advisor for the IR Student Association.

Director of IR Programs in Washington, Professor or IR

Michael Schneider

Mike is responsible for the IR Program's presence in Washington, DC.  He directs both undergraduate and graduate programs in DC throughout the academic year and during the summer.  Mike coordinates all courses and acts as the academic and internship advisor for DC-based students.

Undergraduate Senior Recorder/Office Coordinator

Denise Sokolic
Denise manages our heavy office traffic and program administration, including billing, marketing materials, and graduate program inquiries. She is also our undergraduate recorder. Additionally, Denise coordinates campus visits for prospective MAIR students.  She is the public face of the office.

Associate Director of Graduate Studies

Ryan Williams

Ryan serves as the academic advisor to IR graduate students in Syracuse and around the world, and he is responsible for marketing, recruitment, admissions, and financial aid for the IR Program. Ryan strives to provide a strong link between IR students, faculty, and the administration of the Maxwell School.