Public Administration and International Affairs Department News, Media Commentary and Research
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 Government, 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
Which Public Values are Most Important?
The study, co-authored by Minjung Kim, assistant professor of public administration and international affairs, was published in the American Review of Public Administration.
See related: Government, United States
Maxwell School Announces Faculty Promotions for 2025-26
See related: Promotions & Appointments
Heartfelt Gift Recognizes Accomplished Alumna and Three Generations of Orange
William Pelton and Mary Jane Massie have created the Barringer Pelton Public Service Graduate Scholarship to honor their niece, Jody Barringer ’08 M.P.A., and support future public servants.
See related: Academic Scholarships, Alumni Experience, Giving, Student Experience
New $1M Gift to Build Bridges and Create Global Map to Enhance Democracies
See related: Giving
Evaluating Conflict, Interest Advancement, and Representation in Collaborative Governance
"Evaluating Conflict, Interest Advancement, and Representation in Collaborative Governance," co-authored by CPDG Faculty Affiliate Graham Ambrose, Siwei Li, Ali Mohamed Ali Salman Yusuf, and CPDG Director Saba Siddiki, was published in Public Administration on July 31, 2025.
See related: Government, Research Methods
Renowned Health Economist Joins Maxwell as Moynihan Chair
John Cawley specializes in the economics of risky health behaviors and has been widely published in journals and covered by the media.
See related: Giving, Longevity, Nutrition, Promotions & Appointments, School History, Taxation, U.S. Health Policy