Maxwell School News

A preeminent scholar in in global migration and human rights, she joined the Maxwell School faculty in 2003.

Clifford J. Ensley ’69, ’70, G’71,  a dedicated University trustee, accomplished entrepreneur and celebrated student-athlete, will be recognized with a doctor of humane letters from Syracuse University at the 2026 Commencement on Sunday, May 10.

Ronald J. Taylor ’15 B.A. (PSt/PSc), G’16 will be honored at the annual Alumni Awards Celebration on April 23.

Sociology student Alyssa Limjuco will represent the graduating class at Commencement and serve as a liaison to University administrators throughout the year.

The Remembrance Scholars plan the Remembrance activities held at the University each year, and the cohort will be recognized during a convocation in the fall.

The ‘Sunday Night Football’ play-by-play voice and NBC Olympics primetime host, who began his broadcasting career at Syracuse University's own WAER-FM, will address graduates May 10.

Sophia Hiatt's research examined how Lāhainā Strong mobilized to fight for Indigenous land rights after the 2023 Maui wildfires, seeing the area firsthand with support from SOURCE.

Gustavo Madero Carriles, Jorge Morales, Nathan Torabi and Qiong Wu were selected for the honor based on their academic excellence, independent research and creative work, and contributions to their fields.

The lab is the nation's first that will connect newsrooms, funders and academics to pioneer journalism innovations.

Chris DeCorse, Distinguished Professor and chair of anthropology, shares how Halloween evolved from its ancient roots to become a family-friendly holiday.

Johanna Dunaway, research director at Syracuse University's Institute for Democracy, Journalism and Citizenship and a political science professor, explains how partisan viewpoints, news consumption and misperceptions fuel America's divisions.

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.

The honor recognizes exceptional scholarship and innovative academic and professional activity and is the University's most senior and selective academic status.

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.

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.

Mark Brockway, assistant teaching professor of political science, and Zach Huitink, associate teaching professor of public administration and international affairs, will work in partnership with the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence and the associate provost for academic programs to address teaching topics identified by the vice chancellor, provost and chief academic officer.

In anticipation of America’s Semiquincentennial on July 4, 2026, Carol Faulkner, senior associate dean and professor of history professor, shares her insights on the historical themes of the document, our evolving understanding of that period of U.S. history and what she is looking forward to in this anniversary year of commemorations.

Morales, a double major in history and anthropology, is one of only 20 students nationwide to receive this prestigious award, which supports exceptional undergraduates in their pursuit of graduate studies in the arts, humanities and social sciences.

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.