Public Administration and International Affairs Department News, Media Commentary and Research
New AI Policy Minor to Grapple with Analytical, Practical and Ethical Questions
Taught by a team of faculty experts, the minor is offered to undergraduates from across the University starting this academic year.
See related: Artificial Intelligence, Data Privacy, Ethics, Government, School History, Student Experience, United States
Heflin Discusses Data on Food Insecurity Status, Cuts to SNAP With The Hill, Grist and Marketplace
“Monitoring the nation’s food security status is important in its own right and also because food insecurity is associated with a variety of negative health outcomes,” says Colleen Heflin, professor of public administration and international affairs.
See related: Federal, Food Security, United States
Understanding International Security: Theory and Practice
Michael Williams, associate professor of public administration and international affairs, has co-authored a new book, Understanding International Security: Theory and Practice (Cambridge University Press, 2025). The book explores the meanings and debates around international security, with chapters addressing war, terrorism, violence, cyber security, health and more.
See related: Global Governance, Government, International Affairs, NATO
Williams Piece on the Strategic Insights from a China–Taiwan Wargame Published in War on the Rocks
“The invasion scenarios that dominate U.S. military planning—involving massive amphibious assaults on Taiwan and preemptive strikes on American bases—may fundamentally misread Beijing’s calculus,” writes Michael Williams, associate professor of public administration and international affairs.
See related: China, Conflict, East Asia, Government, International Affairs
APPAM Policy Camp Draws Aspiring Public Servants to Learn More About Public Affairs
Undergraduates and recent alumni interested in public service spent a day at the Maxwell School attending sessions, discussing policymaking processes and growing their network.
See related: Alumni Experience, Student Experience
Community-Based Food Program Limits in Reducing Older Adult Food Insecurity
See related: United States
Maxwell X Lab Receives Journal’s Best Paper Award for Chicago Study
The Journal of Behavioral Public Administration honored the researchers for their paper detailing findings in a study of at-home lead testing kit return rates.
See related: Alumni Experience, Awards & Honors, Government, Grant Awards, Infrastructure, Research Methods
The Limits of SNAP in Addressing Older Adult Food Insecurity
See related: Aging, Food Security, Nutrition, U.S. Health Policy, United States
Dynamic Sustainability Lab Collaborates With Thomson Reuters to Build Expertise and Opportunity
The relationship began as a study of forced labor in global supply chains by Heather Panton, a Thomson Reuters executive and Maxwell graduate student.
See related: Alumni Experience, Labor, Student Experience, Sustainability, Trade
Reflections of a Space Pioneer
After a screening of the documentary about her historic time as an astronaut, alumna Eileen Collins joined Sean O’Keefe for a conversation about her experiences and space exploration.
See related: Alumni Experience
In Memoriam: Edwin Bock
Bock, professor emeritus of political science and public administration and international affairs, taught at Maxwell for more than 30 years. He died on July 28, 2025, in Syracuse. He was 103.
See related: In Memoriam
Williams Featured in t-online Article on NATO, Russia’s Airspace Violations
“The situation is very serious indeed. We have been observing airspace violations by Russia for years. But what Putin is doing now has a new quality. He is testing how resolutely NATO reacts and whether weaknesses are emerging,” says Michael Williams, associate professor of public administration and international affairs.
See related: Conflict, Government, International Affairs, NATO, Russia
Nonfinancial Factors Shape Food Insecurity Among U.S. Older Adults
Heflin Weighs In on Trump Admin’s Cancellation of Annual Hunger Survey in Wall Street Journal Piece
“Not having this measure for 2025 is particularly troubling given the current rise in inflation and deterioration of labor market conditions, two conditions known to increase food insecurity,” ” says Colleen Heflin, professor of public administration and international affairs.
See related: Federal, Food Security, United States
In Memoriam: George Marotta
Marotta ’50 B.A. (PSc)/’51 M.P.A. is considered an architect of the Peace Corps, established by the U.S. government in 1961 to assist developing countries by providing skilled workers in fields such as education, health, entrepreneurship, women’s empowerment and community development. He died July 26 at the age of 98 in Palo Alto, California.
See related: In Memoriam
Brynt Parmeter Joins Maxwell as Phanstiel Chair in Leadership
The decorated U.S. Army veteran and former Department of Defense executive brings deep expertise in leadership, workforce transformation and innovation.
See related: Promotions & Appointments
Budget Tradeoffs Shape Food Insecurity Among U.S. Older Adults
See related: United States
Policy Recommendations to Reduce Old Age Food Insecurity in the United States
The current policy responses to old age food insecurity are complex, costly, and not nearly effective enough. Based on the book, Food for Thought: Understanding Older Adults Food Insecurity, this brief summarizes five policy recommendations to improve food insecurity among U.S. older adults.
See related: United States
Food for Thought: Understanding Older Adult Food Insecurity
Written by Colleen Heflin, professor of public administration and international affairs, and University Professor Madonna Harrington Meyer, the book examines the issue of food insecurity among older adults in the United States.
See related: Aging, Food Security, Nutrition, U.S. Health Policy, United States
Student Veteran Anthony Ruscitto Honored as a Tillman Scholar
Ruscitto ’23 M.P.A. is a two-time Syracuse graduate and a rising second-year law student in the College of Law. When he graduates, he plans to provide legal aid to his fellow veterans. Ruscitto’s passion for service and helping veterans is one of the reasons he was recently recognized as a 2025 Tillman Scholar by the Pat Tillman Foundation.
See related: Academic Scholarships, Alumni Experience