Public Administration and International Affairs Department News, Media Commentary and Research
In Memoriam: James D. Carroll
Carroll, Maxwell alumnus, former faculty member and chair of Public Administration Department, died Aug. 18, 2026, in Washington, D.C. He was 91.
See related: In Memoriam
Maxwell Advisory Board Welcomes Six Accomplished Alumni
Their expertise spans a range of fields, and they play a vital role in advising the dean and school leadership.
See related: Promotions & Appointments, School History
Murrett Discusses Iran’s Speech at the UN General Assembly on CBS News
“One point I would make relative to the Iranian president's speech, there are still splits in the leadership over there. They don't always speak with one voice, but hopefully, things will progress either before or after the elections, because eventually, there's going to have to be some kind of negotiated settlement,” Vice Adm. Robert Murrett (Ret.), professor of practice of public administration and international affairs.
Siddiki Article on Neighbors Providing Input on Managing Data Centers Published in The Conversation
“Our findings also underscore the importance that residents place on having a voice before data center projects are approved. Public participation is ranked second among the six policy provisions in shaping residents’ preferences,” writes Saba Siddiki, professor of public administration and international affairs, and co-author Fengxiu Zhang of George Mason University.
See related: Artificial Intelligence, Government, Infrastructure, United States
‘Promise of Public Service’ Exhibit Debuts at Maxwell
The traveling exhibit by the National Academy of Public Administration celebrates public servants amid America’s 250th anniversary.
See related: Alumni Experience, School History, Student Experience
O’Keefe Article on the Follow the Rules Act Published by Brookings
“Federal law protects both civilian and military public servants from punishment for refusing to follow illegal orders, though few employees know these protections exist,” writes University Professor Emeritus Sean O'Keefe, who served in both Bush administrations at the Pentagon, White House and NASA; and Josh Gotbaum, who served in the Clinton Administration as an appointee at the Treasury Department and the Office of Management and Budget.
See related: Federal Government, Law, United States
New Federal Grant Funds Specialized Training in Health and Aging Research
Doctoral students will examine how policies and geographic factors shape health outcomes for American adults.
See related: Aging, Community Health, Grant Awards, Longevity, Student Experience, U.S. Education, U.S. Health Policy, United States
Harrington Meyer and Heflin Explore the Hunger Crisis Facing Older Adults on Aging Well Podcast
Colleen Heflin, professor of public administration and international affairs, and Madonna Harrington Meyer, University Professor, discuss their co-written book Food for Thought: Understanding Older Adult Food Insecurity (Russell Sage Foundation, 2025).
See related: United States
Barton Discusses Cross-Party Endorsements in Washington Examiner Article
“I think there’s a narrow slice of the electorate that could potentially be persuaded and moved, swayed by that cross-party endorsement. But in the states that we’re talking about, that narrow slice of the electorate could be pivotal,” says Richard Barton, assistant teaching professor of public administration and international affairs.
See related: Political Parties, State & Local Government, U.S. Elections, United States
Lopoo Piece on Lack of Family Planning Support for Egg Freezing Published in The Hill
“If a woman wants assistance in planning the timing of her childbearing, it is not available. This is but one-example of the lopsidedness of family planning in the U.S. Our programs are designed to assist when women want to restrict their childbearing but offer no support when women want to have children,” writes Leonard Lopoo, professor, chair and associate dean of public administration and international affairs.
See related: Government, Parenting & Family, U.S. Health Policy, United States
Three of a Kind: Sisters Find Their Calling—and Each Other—at Maxwell
Sisters Taylor, Sydney and Lauren Grosso left their family farm for the Maxwell School to earn M.P.A. degrees, finding the mentors, opportunities and family atmosphere that shaped their careers.
See related: Alumni Experience, Student Experience
Maxwell to Host Panel Discussion, Film Screening Marking the 25th Anniversary of 9/11
The event will be held in the K.G. Tan Auditorium on Sept. 14, and features a screening of the documentary, The Heroism and Resiliency of 9/11: From Tragedy to Triumph, produced by Maxwell alumnus Chris Meek.
See related: Alumni Experience, U.S. National Security
Daughter Keeps Mom’s 26-Year Tradition Alive at the Maxwell School
The next Maxwell School-sponsored blood drive is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 9, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Schine Student Center.
See related: School History
Barton Quoted in NOTUS Article on Election Deniers Controlling Elections in Three Swing States
“Over the last few years, election denialism has become something of a litmus test within the Republican Party,” says Richard Barton, assistant teaching professor of public administration and international affairs.
See related: Political Parties, State & Local Government, U.S. Elections, United States
MPA Alumnus Is Changing Lives, One Home at a Time
Andrew Lunetta found his focus at the Maxwell School—now he’s a ‘CNN Hero’ building homes for people who need them most.
Heflin Article on the Impact of SNAP Food Restrictions Published in Milbank Quarterly
“Even though the federal government spends nearly $100 billion annually on SNAP, there is no federally funded survey or data source that can evaluate this important change to the program,” writes Colleen Heflin, professor of public administration and international affairs.
See related: Federal Government, Food Security, Nutrition, State & Local Government, United States
Barton Featured in NY Times Article on Liabilities Surrounding the Democratic Socialists of America
“There is some support for the claim that ideologues can more effectively mobilize the base and activate new voters, but they are also more effective at mobilizing opposition,” says Richard Barton, assistant teaching professor of public administration and international affairs.
See related: Government, Political Parties, U.S. Elections, United States
Maxwell Faculty Scholarship Takes the Spotlight on The Academic Minute
Five Syracuse faculty, including Maxwell professors Ryan Griffiths and Colleen Heflin, share findings on food policy, AI, architecture, political science and marine biology on the nationally broadcast program “The Academic Minute.”
See related: Aging, Food Security, Government, Political Parties, U.S. Health Policy, United States
Burman Talks to Newsweek About Trump’s Capital Gains Tax Proposal
“These are both terrible policy and politics,” says Leonard Burman, professor emeritus of public administration and international affairs. The benefits of both would “disproportionately accrue to the wealthiest households,” given the existing distribution of assets in the U.S., he says.
See related: Economic Policy, Federal Government, Taxation, United States
In Memoriam: Louise Gartner Birkhead ’52 M.P.A.
When Louise Gartner Birkhead arrived at the Maxwell School in 1951 to begin a master of public administration degree, she was one of only two women in her class. The education and training she received shaped a career devoted to public service and a lifelong drive to open doors in government for the women who would follow her. Birkhead died July 13 at the age of 97.
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