Executive Education News

Executive Education News
For Humphrey alum Nicolas Pichay, all the world’s a stage
Nicolas Pichay's Humphrey year research informs “Lapulapu, Ang Datu ng Mactan,” a musical he wrote about a 16th-century Filipino hero. The show, presented Oct. 24 at Manila Metropolitan Theater, was part of the Philippines' commemoration of the 1521 Battle of Mactan and the arrival of Christianity in the country. The indigenous leader Lapulapu, a symbol of Filipino resistance, is remembered for defeating the forces of Ferdinand Magellan, who was killed in the battle.

Alum Nick Armstrong uses data to help veterans achieve their goals
Nick Armstrong '08 M.P.A./'14 Ph.D. (SSc) directs IVMF’s multi-disciplinary team of applied social scientists, evaluators, and data engineers to crunch the numbers and conduct applied research that empower government, industry and philanthropic decision making on veteran- and family-related issues.

Williams talks to BBC Newshour about Russian cybercriminals
Many of the people on the FBI's cyber most wanted list are Russian. While some allegedly work for the government earning a normal salary, others are accused of making a fortune from ransomware attacks and online theft. If they left Russia they'd be arrested—but at home they appear to be given free rein. This has a damaging impact on countries and states around the world. "It undermines sovereignty, it makes governments look incompetent, it causes billions of dollars in damages and ransom, and it can also endanger lives," says Associate Professor Michael John Williams. Listen to the full BBC Newshour interview, "Cybersecurity: wanted criminals living freely in Russia," beginning at 7:56.

Virtual happy hour connects Online Executive MPA
Executive M.P.A. students, faculty and alumni toasted each other during a recent virtual networking happy hour as they listened to three current students share insights about pursuing and working in elected office. The quarterly event nurtures networking among participants in Maxwell's 30-credit, online program for professionals with at least five years’ experience in management. It also encourages members of different cohorts to exchange ideas.

Williams piece on how US handles Russian cyberattacks published in FP
According to Associate Professor Michael John Williams, the U.S. needs a new legal doctrine to handle state-tolerated attacks. "Washington needs to unequivocally state that public and private entities of the United States and its NATO allies are off limits and that it will hold all governments that foster cybercriminals responsible for their actions, thereby shifting the burden of proof to Russia, rather than to targets of the attack," writes Williams, adding, "Including NATO allies in this declaration is extremely important, as it relies on the same logic as extended nuclear deterrence." Read more in his piece, "Make Russia Take Responsibility for Its Cybercriminals," published in Foreign Policy.

Maxwell supports local government at ICMA conference
Student, faculty and alumni participation at the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) conference in early October highlights the Maxwell School's continued and strengthened focus on training for and collaborating with state and local governments.

MPA grad turned Excelsior Fellow: It’s an honor to work with the state
Ari Epstein ’14 M.P.A. was providing information technology services at a major university when he joined Maxwell’s master of public administration (M.P.A.) program. “I was interested in community-building activities and wanted to get involved in shaping and improving the institutions around me,” he said. “Nothing does that like the government.” He completed his M.P.A. in 2014 and was accepted into New York’s two-year Excelsior Service Fellowship Program.

Humphrey fellows kick off Syracuse experience
During orientation in early August, 11 Maxwell Humphrey Fellows from nine countries broke into small groups to get to know each other. Activities that build relationships and other orientation events set the stage for the 2021-22 cohort’s 10-month program of professional development, academic study and cultural exchange at Syracuse University.

Humphrey Fellows leave with new tools and many memories
Syracuse’s 2020-21 Humphrey Fellows, Maxwell’s 12th cohort, built relationships over six months at Maxwell, where they engaged in academic study, professional development and cultural exchange. The midcareer professionals hail from Brazil, Guatemala, Mexico, Montenegro, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, South Africa, Tanzania and Togo. The fellows completed “an impressive journey in very uncertain times,” said Margaret Lane, Humphrey Fellowship Program director and Executive Education assistant director.

Humphrey Fellows return home with proposals to lead change
Ramiro Suárez Galán plans to spend the next six months pitching a plan for a financial oversight office in his home state of Oaxaca, Mexico. “We don’t have checks and balances,” said Suárez Galán, a 2020 Humphrey fellow at the Maxwell School. “What the governor wants is done. Once [a project] is approved, the governor can allocate wherever he wants. He can modify as he likes.” As part of the new Humphrey Impact Project, he developed a proposal modeled on the U.S. nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) for Oaxaca’s legislative branch.

Grads set to make the world greater, better and more beautiful
The Maxwell School closed its 2020-2021 academic year the same way it met the complications of the COVID-19 pandemic: a mix of health precautions, expanded technology and commitment to tradition. That meant a prerecorded graduate convocation and faculty farewells via video. Maxwell’s May 22 graduate convocation also included speeches and award presentations, capped with recitation of the Athenian Oath.

Exec Ed grad serves panel on merging mental health, addiction services
Lisa Hoeschele ’03 M.A. (PA), recently served on a statewide committee guiding a merger of New York’s Office of Mental Health (OMH) and Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS). The new entity, the Office of Addiction and Mental Health Services, will integrate mental health and addiction services and streamline procedures and regulations.

Maxwell faculty, staff and students honored with 2021 One University awards
Syracuse University announced its 2021 One University Awards, honoring members of the University community for their scholarship, teaching, academic achievement, leadership and service. The ceremony was held virtually this year due to COVID-19 precautions.

Prepare for crises, speakers tell Humphrey Fellows
The global pandemic kept Humphrey Fellows from gathering at Syracuse University for an annual workshop on crisis management. But a virtual program taught lessons relevant to the ongoing public health crisis as well as strategies to prepare for future crises. The workshop, the ninth Maxwell has hosted, took place in nine two-hour remote sessions over three weeks rather than one week. Twenty-one Humphrey Fellows representing 19 countries and 11 host campuses participated in the program. Fellows reflect a wide range of academic interests, including education, media, health care, economics, politics and public policy.

Maxwell alumni, student honored with 2021 ASPA awards
The American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) announced it will honor more than 40 individuals and organizations when it convenes its annual awards program next month during their 2021 Annual Conference. Several Maxwell alumni and one current online EMPA student are among the award honorees.

Career growth without compromise
Though she’s somewhat confined to her home office these days, Lindsay Bentley '10 B.A. (PSc/Soc) is busy opening new doors. She's just completed her first semester of graduate study at Syracuse University's No.1-ranked public affairs school without missing a beat in her career with a local nonprofit health insurer. The online executive master of public administration (EMPA) degree offered through the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs is designed for midcareer professionals, like Bentley, who want to expand their credentials without losing traction in their work. Read more about Bentley's experience in the online EMPA program via the SU News website.

Maxwell Humphrey Fellows visit the LaunchPad to talk global innovation
Nine Hubert H. Humphrey Fellows from Brazil, Guatemala, Mexico, Montenegro, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, South Africa, Tanzania and Togo visited with the LaunchPad team recently as part of a cross cultural exchange program. The Fellows, who are being hosted by the Maxwell School, are young and midcareer professionals from the public, private and NGO sectors who bring rich experience in public policy, public health, public finance, economic development, workforce and youth development, technology, volunteerism and community building, as well as other areas. Read about their visit via the Blackstone LaunchPad website.

In a challenging year, Humphrey Fellows focus on program goals
Nompumelelo Prudence Radebe, a director at the National Treasury of South Africa, was thrilled when she learned in February that she would spend a year at the Maxwell School as a Hubert H. Humphrey Fellow. Radebe and eight more Maxwell Humphrey Fellows started a compressed program Dec. 1. The program, typically 10 months beginning Aug. 1, will last six months this year. Radebe hopes her Humphrey experience will teach her to collect and use data to develop public policy. She also is interested in using technology to improve service delivery.

Exec Ed plays supporting role as arts leaders confront COVID-19 crisis
When the novel coronavirus pandemic spurred shutdowns in mid-March, Executive Education alumnus Stephen Butler ’04 MA (PA), quickly organized a call with stakeholders in Central New York’s arts community. A priority was developing a survey to quantify the anticipated financial losses the health crisis would cause the arts and entertainment industry in Central New York. The survey results provided data for CNY Arts to launch the CNY Arts COVID-19 Impact Fund, which has raised nearly $500,000 toward its $1 million goal.

Hometown Hero: Jay Knight
United States Army Captain Jay Knight is a student in the prestigious Defense Comptrollership Program pursuing his MBA at the Martin J. Whitman School of Management. Read more about what makes him a hometown hero via the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs website.