Alumni News

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.

Inspired by the bravery of the first responders, Meek dedicated his life to giving back to our soldiers and to preserving the memory of those who died that day. He launched the 9/11 Legacy Foundation, a nonprofit that aims to educate, commemorate and inspire action by telling the stories of the survivors, first responders and the families of those lost.

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.

This fall, the Maxwell School is opening a new Civic and Community Engagement (CCE) Office that will enhance and expand access to experiential learning across the school. In addition to classes and community involvement opportunities, the office will oversee a new CCE minor. 

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.

The new and expanded MOUs with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan will pave the way for more students and scholars to build skills and develop their home nations.

Dean David M. Van Slyke said the retired investor and philanthropist is “a lifelong learner with a strong commitment to democracy and citizenship.”

Carroll, who retired in early 2024 as a research associate professor at Maxwell, passed away on June 21, 2025. He earned a master’s degree in social studies education from the University’s School of Education in 1970, followed by a Ph.D. in social science from Maxwell in 1985. 

Pontarelli ’92 B.S. (Econ) credits the University for changing his life, opening up opportunities to pursue his passions and achieve professional success that allows him to focus on the public good. In return, he and his wife, Tracey, are paying it forward by supporting Syracuse students pursuing meaningful careers in the vital field of sustainability.

The addition brings hundreds of students and more than a dozen faculty experts to 'enhance our vital voice in the study of health,' says Dean David M. Van Slyke.

O’Keefe says his time as a Maxwell graduate student taught him the importance of employing a multidisciplinary approach to problem-solving, examining the wide range of possible outcomes and identifying what success looks like.

Director of Alumni Relations Jess Murray's spring 2025 letter to alumni and friends.

Dean David M. Van Slyke writes to alumni about the challenges of the changing federal landscape and the importance of public service.

As the City of Syracuse’s director of neighborhood and business data and evaluation, the Maxwell alumna taps skills she learned in Maxwell’s geography program.

Consulting firm founder Rain Henderson says her Maxwell education grounded her in “systems thinking, public accountability and cross-sector collaboration.”

As CEO of Golden Fork Media and founder of the children’s book series Kalamata’s Kitchen, he draws on lessons gleaned—and risks taken—as a policy studies major.

She supports young athletes through her Caris Sports Foundation.

He co-founded the Brazilian startup DEEP and grew it into a market leader in sustainability impact measurement.

Alumni share how Maxwell prepared them to address challenges and innovate for good.

Alumni Cathy Daicoff and Nate Shanok lead the board as chair and vice chair, respectively.