Maxwell Alum to Receive Honorary Degree at 2026 Syracuse University Commencement
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.
See related: Alumni Experience, Awards & Honors
Estévez-Abe Discusses Japan’s Decision to Abolish Restrictions on Overseas Arms Sales in DW Article
Margarita Estévez-Abe, associate professor of political science, says that Tokyo's policy shift will cement existing ties and help Japan to forge new alliances, as concerns grow over Washington's commitment to its partners.
See related: Defense & Security, East Asia, Government, International Affairs
Health Messaging Competition Highlights the Power of Creative Public Health Communication
Students Take the Stage at Social Impact Competition with Ideas for Health and Equity
Ueda-Ballmer Talks to Scientific American About 988 Crisis Hotline Use, Decreased Suicide Mortality
“I see 988 as a promising and important part of the mental health support system, with real potential to expand its impact over time,” says Michiko Ueda-Ballmer, associate professor of public administration and international affairs.
See related: Mental Health, State & Local, United States
Maxwell Experts Weigh a Year of Tariff Turbulence
Hosted by the Moynihan Institute, the cross-disciplinary panel discussed the impact on consumers, supply chains, global credibility and more.
See related: Federal, Student Experience, Tariffs, U.S. Foreign Policy
Maxwell Makes a Strong Showing at ISA Annual Convention
Faculty and graduate students presented research, led panels and shaped the conversation at one of international studies’ premier gatherings.
See related: Alumni Experience, Student Experience
Fethi Keles Receives Middle Eastern Studies Program 2026 Teaching Recognition Award
The award was established in 2016 to recognize excellence in teaching and to appreciate indispensable contributions of our faculty to enhancement of knowledge of the Middle East and North Africa region.
See related: Awards & Honors, Middle East & North Africa
Bendix Speaks With the Associated Press About Fire Testing and Increased Fire Potential
Jacob Bendix, professor emeritus of geography and the environment, calls a recent study on the number of hours in North America when the weather is favorable for wildfires a sobering reminder of climate change’s role in driving “increased fire potential across almost all of the fire-prone environments of North America.”
See related: Canada, Climate Change, United States, Wildfires
Culture and Conversation Tables Bring the World to Maxwell
Hosted by the Moynihan Institute, the gatherings create opportunities for students and faculty to explore languages, cultures and global perspectives.
See related: International Affairs, Student Experience
DeCorse Research Featured in New York Times Article on the Whydah Gally Shipwreck, West African Gold
“These gold artifacts are very, very distinctively 18th-century Akan goldwork,” says Christopher DeCorse, Distinguished Professor of Anthropology.
See related: Africa (Sub-Saharan), Archaeology
Maxwell Alum to receive Generation Orange Award
Ronald J. Taylor ’15 B.A. (PSt/PSc), G’16 will be honored at the annual Alumni Awards Celebration on April 23.
See related: Alumni Experience, Awards & Honors
Tina Nabatchi Receives National Award for Co-Edited Book on Public Administration
ASPA recognizes Pathways to Positive Public Administration for its lasting contribution to the field.
See related: Awards & Honors, Government, Political Parties
Bergen-Cico Weighs In on Trump’s Claim That Drug Trafficking by Sea is Down 98.2% in AP Article
“Drug seizure data measure interdiction activity, not actual trafficking volume,” says Dessa Bergen-Cico, professor of public health. “As drug policy researchers have noted, no one knows how much goes uncaught, and changes in seizure data are insufficient to make definitive claims about policy outcomes.”
See related: Federal, Substance Use and Addiction, United States
Maxwell Student Named 2027 Senior Class Marshal
Sociology student Alyssa Limjuco will represent the graduating class at Commencement and serve as a liaison to University administrators throughout the year.
See related: Awards & Honors, Student Experience
Thompson Talks to ABC News and NPR About President Trump’s Attacks on Pope Leo
“I think [Trump] is losing even some of his [Catholic] supporters, or they are moderating their support,” says Margaret Susan Thompson, professor of history and political science. She notes that Trump's comments have been so harsh and controversial that even conservative-leaning Catholics are speaking out against the president and defending Leo.
See related: Federal, Religion, United States
Public Health Insurance Expansions and the Uniformity of Insurance for Families
Co-authored by Sarah Hamersma, associate professor of public administration and international affairs, the article was published in the Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization.
See related: Health Insurance, Parenting & Family, United States
O’Keefe Discusses the Artemis II Mission With NewsNation and WSYR
“It was a spectacular achievement, and one that really is another step in the long continuum of human exploration of not only here on Earth, but now well into space and moving further out,” says University Professor Emeritus Sean O'Keefe.
See related: Space Exploration, United States
Murrett Speaks With CBS News, The Hill About the Strait of Hormuz Naval Blockade
“I think the next couple of days would be crucial to see what the [Iranian] response is,” says Vice Adm. Robert Murrett (Ret.), professor of practice of public administration and international affairs. “It’s going to be a pretty dicey operation, I think it can be carried out, but the next couple of days are critical in terms of how it’s carried forward,” he says.