Humphrey Fellows begin year of exchange, engagement, and impact
Maxwell’s 11th cohort
of Humphrey Fellows has started its yearlong program of graduate study,
professional development, and cultural exchange. The 11 fellows from 10
emerging democracies and developing countries are among the year’s
approximately 151 scholars from 96 countries. Syracuse University is one of 13
campuses across the country to host Humphrey Fellows.
Syracuse’s 2019-20 fellows hail
from Belarus, Brazil, Burkina Faso, India, Latvia, Panama, Pakistan, Russia,
South Korea, and Tunisia. The midcareer professionals bring a variety of work
and academic experience, including public finance, political science, media, engineering,
economics, and defense.
The diverse
professional and cultural experiences of Humphrey Fellows fit well with
Maxwell’s collaborative, interdisciplinary ethos and emphasis on public service.
Fellows commit to taking best practices and new perspectives they learn at
Maxwell and returning to their native countries as leaders in improving the
NGOs, government ministries, and private businesses where they work.
The fellows also come
to Maxwell with ambitious learning goals that reflect diverse interests and
skills. Professional skills they hope to build include technology literacy, technology
management, infrastructure development, public sector leadership, and human
resources management.
Humphrey Fellows
benefit from Maxwell’s rich scholarly tradition and real-world perspectives in
its professional programs. In addition, the program’s structure and emphasis on
engagement allows participants to create international networks of colleagues
and develop strong leadership skills by interacting with, learning from, and
sharing with many constituencies of the Syracuse community.
“The key elements are
exchange, engagement, and impact,” said Margaret Lane, director of Syracuse’s
Fellowship Program at Syracuse University. “Deep, substantive engagement
benefits everyone and reinforces the commitment to public service that fellows
and members of the Maxwell and Central New York community value.”
At Syracuse, fellows engage with
students and faculty in Maxwell and other colleges. Engagement opportunities
include sharing their perspectives in 20- to 30-minute Peer to Peer Presentations
or speaking to civic organizations, such as local rotaries or schools. Fellows may
serve as resources for faculty, classes, clubs, and organizations. They also
connect with the community through volunteer service and through relationships
with host families.
Approximately 126 fellows from 70
different countries have called the Maxwell School and Syracuse University home
during their fellowship year since 2009.
The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program began in 1978 to honor the late Senator
and Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey and his lifelong commitment to
international cooperation and public service. The fellowship is sponsored by
the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and
administered by the Institute of International Education.
09/13/19