Maxwell > Department of Public Administration

Alumni bios

Our alumni work around the world in careers in research and teaching. The bios below highlight the many accomplishments of some of our alumni.

2011 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 and earlier |

2012
	Khaldoun AbouAssi, PhD, 2012 Assistant Professor, The Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M Research interests: Nonprofit theory and management, development theory and management, governance, and organizational behavior and development Fields of Specialization at Maxwell: Nonprofit management; international development and comparative public administration. "I have come a long way from a small town in a remote area in Lebanon to the Maxwell School. It has been a long journey that I hope takes me to new prospects and a promising future. I am very grateful to the faculty members at the Maxwell School. The interactions I have had with many of them steered my work in a different direction than I originally intended - but definitely toward the better-and helped me mature as a scholar. Fellow doctoral students provided much needed support, understanding, and encouragement. The department staff were wonderful and always helpful. I have to admit: I am going to miss my days at the Maxwell School. Enjoy yours!" www.abouassi.blogspot.com
2011
	Robert W. Alexander, PhD, 2011 Assistant Professor of Political Science, James Madison University Research interests: sustainability policy; brownfield remediation and redevelopment; social network analysis; natural resource planning and management; public/private partnerships; collaborative process; policy tools and institutional management; and organizational leadership. Fields of Specialization at Maxwell: Organizational Theory; Environmental Policy; Conflict Management; Collaborative Governance “One of the greatest strengths of doctoral study at the Maxwell School that continues to impact my work today was the degree of interaction and integration with doctoral student colleagues across the social sciences and humanities. My placement in the Program for the Advancement of Research on Conflict and Collaboration (PARCC) and exposure to the theoretical lenses applied by PARCC scholars in sociology, anthropology, history, and political science greatly influenced my ability to approach research from an informed, interdisciplinary perspective.”
	Hyunhoe Bae, PhD, 2011 Assistant Professor of Public Administration, North Carolina State University Research interests: environmental policy and public finance; in particular, information disclosure policy as an environmental regulatory tool. Fields of Specialization at Maxwell: Environmental Policy; Public Finance "I feel like I was the luckiest doctoral student in the world to have the opportunity to study at the Maxwell school surrounded by great faculty members and colleagues. Every single moment at Maxwell is so valuable and meaningful to me. I miss Maxwell's devoted faculty members and fascinating colleagues every day. "
	Tamara Hafner, PhD, 2011 Assistant Professor of Public Administration and Policy, American University Research interests: global health policy with a focus on pharmaceutical innovation and management. Fields of Specialization at Maxwell: Science & Technology Policy; Development Policy "My interaction with faculty members was the highlight of my experience at Maxwell. I found the “faculty to be intellectually challenging while also being engaging, accessible and supportive. I had the opportunity to work with brilliant scholars who are committed to mentoring students and helping them establish fulfilling careers in the field.”
2010
	Alejandro Amezcua, PhD, 2010 Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship, Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University Research interests: entrepreneurship and public policy, industrial clusters, and business incubation Fields of Specialization at Maxwell: Science & Technology Policy; Organizational Theory "Maxwell's Public Administration Ph.D. program excels in developing scholars who master rigorous social science methods for research of interest to policymakers and leaders in the nonprofit sector. With these tools I've been able to venture into interdisciplinary research in a field that is intriguing and poorly understood. By working with faculty who set high standards for quality research, I learned how to challenge myself to produce research of high quality for publication in leading journals."
2009
	Larry Miller, PhD, 2009 Assistant Professor, School of Public Affairs and Administration, Rutgers University – Newark Faculty Fellow, Newark Schools Research Collaborative, Rutgers University – Newark Senior Research Affiliate, Center on Reinventing Public Education, University of Washington Research Areas of Interest: public budgeting, finance and social policy Fields of Specialization at Maxwell: public budgeting & finance, and social policy
	Stephanie Smith, PhD, 2009 Assistant Professor of Public Administration at the University of New Mexico Senior Researcher on the Global Health Advocacy and Policy Project, a 3-year project funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation examining health initiative success in comparative perspective across six significant global health problems, including tuberculosis and pneumonia, tobacco and alcohol, and maternal and newborn health. Research interests: health policy networks and processes globally and in the developing world. Fields of Specialization at Maxwell: International Development Policy; Nonprofit Studies “The Maxwell School's reputation is well-deserved. The opportunity to work with the extremely bright and insightful students it attracts and world class scholars who challenge and support doctoral candidates is invaluable.”
2008
	Cynthia Searcy, PhD, 2008 Assistant Dean for Academic Programs, Georgia State University Assistant Professor of Public Management & Policy, Georgia State University Research Areas of Interests: Financial Management & Budgeting, Education Policy, Health Policy Fields of Specialization at Maxwell: IT, Public Finance
2007
	Michael Ahn, PhD, 2007 Assistant Professor, Department of Public Policy and Public Affairs, McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies, the University of Massachusetts Boston Chair-Elect, Northeast Conference on Public Administration (NECoPA) President-Elect, the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration (MassASPA) Conference Chair, 2012 Northeast Conference on Public Administration - "Public Administration in a Time of Change: Emerging Challenges and Solutions." November 2-3 2012, UMass Boston. Research Interests: E-Government, Public Administration Theory, Public Management, Public Administration Education, Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methodology. Fields of Specialization at Maxwell: Information Technology and Public Organization Theory "The respectful scholars and colleagues at the Maxwell school have taught me a variety of important theories and tools in the art of public administration and the value that public administration aspires to achieve. My experience at the Maxwell has been a compass that has guided me through my career in my research, teaching and service. I am very grateful for the opportunity to study at the Maxwell and for the interactions I had (and continue to have) with the distinguished scholars and bright and supportive colleagues."
	Heather Getha-Taylor, PhD, 2007 Assistant Professor, School of Public Affairs and Administration, University of Kansas Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, University of South Carolina (Joint appointment with the College of Charleston) Instructor, Department of Public Administration, Maxwell School of Citizenship & Public Affairs, Syracuse University Research Areas of Interest: Human Resource Management, Organization Theory Fields of Specialization at Maxwell: Human Resource Management, Organization Theory “The doctoral program challenged and inspired me from the start. I worked to take advantage of all that Maxwell had to offer, especially the unparalleled developmental opportunities in public service research and teaching. All along the way, my professors supported and encouraged me. I now strive to follow their example. My doctoral experience continues to influence me as a scholar and I remain thankful for the opportunity to study there: it has made all the difference.”
2006
	Kristina Lambright, MPA, 1997, PhD, 2006 Associate Professor of Public Administration, Binghamton University Director of Graduate Studies, Binghamton University Research Areas of Interest: Alternative Service Delivery Structures, Contracting, Monitoring Social Service Delivery Systems, Organizational Performance, Campus-Based Civic Engagement, Service Learning, Engaged Scholarship. Fields of Specialization at Maxwell: Social Policy, PA Organization Theory "I received excellent training from outstanding scholars at the Maxwell School who genuinely cared about my professional development. In addition, I formed some great relationships with fellow students with whom I continue to stay in close contact. These relationships have been invaluable to me in my career."
2005
	Anna Amirkhanyan, PhD, 2005 Associate Professor, School of Public Affairs, Department of Public Administration and Policy, American University Research Areas of Interest: Public Administration Theory and History, Organization Theory, Nonprofit Management, Public Sector Reform and Privatization, Quantitative and Qualitative Methodology Fields of Specialization at Maxwell: Aging & Health Policy, Organization Theory, PA Theory "My doctoral education at the Maxwell school had several important components: daily collaborative work on research projects with faculty mentor; rigorous training in quantitative and qualitative methods and organizational theory; and the privilege to observe and interact with the leading scholars in public administration and public policy in the classroom and uring weekly PhD research seminars. These components were critical for my transition from being a student to becoming a tenured faculty at American University."
2004
	Yonghong Wu, PhD, 2004 Associate Professor, Department of Public Administration, College of Urban Planning & Public Affairs, University of Illinois at Chicago Research Areas of Interest: State and local government finance, Science and technology policy, Technology-based economic development, Municipal fiscal decision-making, State and local communications taxation Fields of Specialization at Maxwell: Budgeting and Public Finance, Science and Technology Policy, Public Administration Theory
2003
	Jessica Sowa, PhD, 2003 Associate Professor, School of Public Affairs, University of Colorado, Denver Board of Directors, Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action (ARNOVA). Assistant Faculty Associate & Assistant Professor, Cleveland State University Assistant Professor, University of South Carolina Research Areas of Interest: Public and nonprofit management, with emphasis on organizational effectiveness, collaborative service delivery mechanisms, and the management of human resources in public and nonprofit organizations. Dr. Sowa has studied inter-agency collaborations in early care and education and economic development, state civil service systems, grievance procedures, and performance management systems in nonprofit organizations.
	Willow Jacobson, PhD, 2003 Associate Professor of Public Administration and Government and Director, LGFCU Fellows Program, University of North Carolina Research Areas of Interest: Human resource managementand organizational theory "When I reflect on my Maxwell experience, it is the people that made the experience so special from the outstanding faculty and staff to the lifelong friends and colleagues that I went through the program with. I continue to be grateful for and benefit from these relationships."
	Carolyn Bourdeaux, PhD, 2003 Associate Professor, Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, Georgia State University Associate Director for Research, Georgia State University Fiscal Research Center Former Director, Georgia Senate Budget and Evaluation Office Consultant/Budget Analyst, Georgia Senate Budget and Evaluation Office Research Areas of Interest: budgeting and public finance, governance, and urban policy
2002
	Don Moynihan, PhD, 2002 Associate Director, LaFollette School of Public Affairs Professor of Public Affairs, LaFollette School of Public Affairs, Associate & Assistant Assistant Professor, Bush School of Government and Public Service, Texas A&M University Visiting Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Michigan State University Research Areas of Interest: Public Administration History and Theory, Public Management Reform, Organizational Behavior, Election Administration, Citizen Participation, Performance Management, Public Budgeting, Red Tape/Administrative Burden, Crisis Response Networks, Public Service Motivation Fields of Specialization at Maxwell: Public Management “My PhD experience at Maxwell provided me with a deep understanding of how the intellectual traditions of public administration could be married with social science. Its history and culture make it a unique institution for the study of public administration, and all who graduate from there share a special bond.”
	Matt Andrews, PhD, 2002 Associate Professor, Faculty Associate, Center for International Development, Harvard University Former Public Sector Specialist, Europe and Central Asia Region, The World Bank Research Areas of Interest: public sector reform, particularly budgeting and financial management reform, and participatory governance in developing and transitional governments. Fields of Specialization at Maxwell: Organization Theory and Public Finance “The Maxwell Program is really unique in the way it trains people to think about public administration. The inter-disciplinary nature of the school creates opportunities for students to look at this subject from multiple vantage points, and the close engagement of faculty ensures that the view is always fresh and critical. This is probably the major thing I took away for Maxwell: to be open to PA as an emerging discipline that draws from many others, is still searching for answers, and allows (demands) creative thinking.”
2001 and beyond
	Robert Bifulco, MPA, 1994, PhD, 2001 Associate Professor of Public Administration, The Maxwell School, Syracuse University Associate Professor, Department of Public Policy, University of Connecticut Research Scholar, Center for Child and Family Policy, Duke University Research Areas of Interest: Education finance & policy, program evaluation, school segregation
	Amy Donahue, MPA, 1996, PhD, 2000 Associate Professor and Chief Operating Officer for Academic Administration, Department of Public Policy, University of Connecticut Technical Advisor to the US Department of Homeland Security Founding Director of the Stephenson Disaster Management Institute at Louisiana State University Former Senior Advisor to the Administrator for Homeland Security at NASA Research Areas of Interest: public policy analysis, public finance, public and nonprofit organizations and management, intergovernmental and cross-sector relations, disaster policy and emergency management
	Wilson Wai Ho Wong, PhD, 1998 Associate Professor, Department of Government and Public Administration, Chinese University of Hong Kong Visiting Fellow in the Center for Northeast Asian Policies, The Brookings Institute Visiting Scholar, Harvard-Yenching Institute Research Areas of Interest: Public budgeting and finance; public management and organization theory; public policy analysis and Implementation; Hong Kong politics and governance
	Eric W. Welch, PhD, 1997 Associate Professor in the Public Administration Program at the University of Illinois, Chicago; Director of the Science and Technology Research Group Research interests: technology processes in public organizations, environmental policy, science and technology policy, and R&D performance evaluation.
	Dale Jones, PhD, 1995 Vice President for Strategy, Administration and Board Affairs, Hampden-Sydney College Former Associate Professor of Public Administration and Director of the National Homeland Security Project, L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University Former Director of Research, Center for Homeland Security, University of Colorado Former faculty member and Director of the Government Performance Project, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University Former Director of the New Jersey Initiative Former Deputy Department Head, Political Science, US Air Force Academy
	Dennis Wittmer, PhD, 1992 Professor and Chair, Management Department, Daniels College of Business at the University of Denver Provided consulting and corporate training services for such organizations as Dish Network, Newmont Mining, the Lottery Commission of Colorado, Intrado, TIMET, various chapters of health underwriters of Colorado, Meeting Professionals International, Lockheed Martin, First Data Corp., the Garibaldi Group, the City of Englewood, and John Mansville Taught business and organizational ethics to MBA students in Taiwan, MBA students in Kuwait, ICT students in Mexico City, and Russian managers Research interests: managerial decision-making
	Zhiyong Lan, PhD, 1991 Professor of Public Administration, School of Public Affairs, Arizona State Universty Research Areas of Interest: general public administration theory, research methodology, information technology and resources management/policy, organizational studies, government and business relationships, local government and economic development, and comparative public administration
	William Duncombe, MPA, 1987, PhD, 1989 Professor, Department of Public Administration; Senior Research Associate, Center for Policy Research; The Maxwell School, Syracuse University Editor, Public Budgeting & Finance Former Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, The University of Georgia Research Areas of Interest: School Finance, Public Budgeting and Finance.
	Rosemary O’Leary, PhD, 1988 Distinguished Professor and Howard G. and S. Louise Phanstiel Chair in Strategic Management and Leadership; Senior Research Associate, Campbell Public Affairs Institute; The Maxwell School, Syracuse University Former Member of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Return to Flight Task Group assembled in response to the Columbia space shuttle accident Consultant to the US Department of the Interior, US EPA, US Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution, National Science Foundation, National Academy of Sciences, Indiana Department of Environmental Management, and the International City/County Management Association. Former Professor of Public and Environmental Affairs; Co-founder & Co-director, Indiana Conflict Resolution Institute, Indiana University. Research Areas of Interest: Public Management, Environmental Policy, Dispute Resolution, and Law.
	Rick Shangraw, PhD, 1986 Senior Vice President for the Office of Knowledge Enterprise Development (OKED) at Arizona State University; Director of the Global Institute of Sustainability; Professor of Practice with ASU’s School of Public Affairs Founder and CEO of Project Performance Corporation, a research and technology consulting firm specializing in environmental, energy and information management issues Tenure-track appointment at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs/LC Smith College of Engineering and Computer Science Research interests: policy informatics, large-scale project risk and uncertainty, research policy, and managerial decision making “My Maxwell PhD has shaped every stage of my career. I am very fortunate to have worked with outstanding faculty members.”
	Michael Crow, PhD, 1985 President, Professor of Public Affairs, Arizona State University Executive Vice Provost; Vice Provost of the University; Vice Provost for Research; Associate Vice Provost for Science and Engineering; Founding Director, Earth Institute; Professor of Science and Technology Policy, Columbia University Director, Institute for Physical Research and Technology; Assistant Director for Planning and Program Development; Director, Office of Science Policy and Research; Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, Iowa State University Associate Director, Institute for Mining and Minerals Research; Assistant Professor of Public Administration, University of Kentucky Research Areas of Interest: Knowledge enterprise design; technology management; science and technology policy; science and societal outcomes; research and development; emerging technologies; organization theory; energy policy; sustainable development
	Beth Walter Honadle, PhD, 1979 Professor of Political Science & Planning, University of Cincinnati Former Director of Institute for Policy Research Professor of Political Science – Bowling Green State University (Ohio) – 5 years Professor in Department of Applied Economics – University of Minnesota, Hubert Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs – 9 years Adjunct faculty – American University USDA Research and Program Leadership – 11 years International consultant (Egypt, Ukraine) Research areas of interest: local governmental capacity-building; intergovernmental relations; the fiscal health and condition of local governments; workforce development policy and practice; community and economic development; and the organization, delivery and finance of local services “At Maxwell, we were trained as generalists who were able to apply our knowledge and skills to emerging problems and issues, which has proved to be very helpful for mobility.”
	Ken Meier, MA, 1974, PhD, 1975 Charles H. Gregory Chair in Liberal Arts, Texas A&M University Distinguished Professor of Political Science; Director, Project for Equity, Representation and Governance; Director, Cantu Hispanic Education and Opportunity Endowment; Director, Program in the Cross-National Study of Politics Professor of Public Management, Cardiff University School of Business, Cardiff, UK Former Professor of Political Science and Public Affairs, University of Wisconsin-Madison Research Areas of Interest: electoral structure, access to political power, representation in management and bureaucratic positions, and the performance of minority students on a wide range of indicators
	Jim Perry, MPA, 1972, PhD, 1974 Distinguished Professor, School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University Director of Online Education and Editor-in-Chief, Public Administration Review World Class University Distinguished Professor, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea Former Director, Indiana University American Democracy Project Senior Scholar, Center for Service and Learning; Former Director, Institute for the Study of Government and the Nonprofit Sector Indiana University Former Associate Dean, School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University—Purdue University Indianapolis Research Areas of Interest: Public service motivation, government and civil service reform, public management, public human resource management, national and community service, performance-related pay, public organizational behavior
	Larry O’Toole, MPA, PhD Margaret Hughes and Robert Golembiewski Professor of Public Adminstration and Distinguished Research Professor, The University of Georgia Research Areas of Interest: Policy implementation in complex institutional settings; the impact of public management on government performance; networks and public management; intergovernmental and inter-organizational relations; and environmental, health, and educational policy and management.

Alumni bios

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2002

2001 and beyond