Skip to content

Public Administration and International Affairs Department News, Media Commentary and Research

Murrett Discusses ‘New Phase’ in the US-Iran War With CBS News and Newsweek

“I think we're in a tit-for-tat right now, which it actually represents a new phase of the conflict between the United States and Iran. Certainly, we're on our fifth consecutive day of strikes, which seem to be getting more aggressive on both sides,” says Vice Adm. Robert Murrett (Ret.), professor of practice of public administration and international affairs.

July 16, 2026

Heflin Article Urging States to Measure Food Insecurity Published in Health Affairs Forefront

As they prepare to field the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System for 2027, states can secure the important data necessary to guide policy and resource choices related to food security, writes Colleen Heflin, professor of public administration and international affairs.

July 15, 2026

Heflin Discusses SNAP Payment Errors in Newsweek Article

Colleen Heflin, professor of public administration and international affairs, says it is important to note that “since a large portion of these errors are outside the control of the agencies [because they have to work with the information that clients provide], it will be difficult to bring down these errors without needlessly burdening all SNAP recipients.”

July 2, 2026

How Does SNAP Access Prior to Pregnancy Affect Maternal and Infant Health Outcomes?

Sarah Hamersma, Mitchell McFarlane

The article, co-authored Sarah Hamersma, associate professor of public administration and international affairs, and Ph.D. student Mitchell McFarlane, was published in The Milbank Quarterly.

June 25, 2026

Lopoo Speaks to Stateline About Changes to the Title X Program to Promote Childbearing

Leonard Lopoo, professor of public administration and international affairs, says the federal government could help families achieve their family planning goals by expanding pregnancy prevention and infertility treatments at all income levels.

June 24, 2026

Excerpt From Lopoo’s New Book ‘Wanting Children’ Published in ARC Magazine

In the book, Leonard M. Lopoo, professor, chair and associate dean of public administration and international affairs, traces how America’s first reproductive policies were shaped by eugenicists focused on limiting births among lower-income and minority populations.

June 15, 2026

Murrett Discusses the Latest in the US-Iran War With CBS News and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Vice Adm. Robert Murrett (Ret.), professor of practice of public administration and international affairs, argues that both Washington and Tehran appear intent on avoiding actions that would jeopardize the possibility of a negotiated settlement. He says military pressure and diplomacy are proceeding simultaneously, with neither side wanting to undertake steps so severe that they would rule out an eventual diplomatic outcome. 

June 11, 2026

Grant Supports Donor Study by Maxwell Colleagues Minjung Kim and Jiahuan Lu

Catherine Scott

The $27,000 Wilson C. “Bill” Levis Fundraising Research Grant will support survey-based research into what motivates donors to give nonprofits maximum flexibility.

June 5, 2026

Natural Disasters, Property Reappraisal, and Fiscal Outcomes

Meri Davlasheridze, Yilin Hou, Qing Miao

Co-authored by Yilin Hou, professor of public administration and international affairs, the study was published in the Journal of Housing Economics.

June 4, 2026

Unfinished Business: 77-Year-Old Earns the MPA He Started Five Decades Ago

Renée Gearhart Levy

A dinner conversation, a new laptop and a one-week course in Washington closed a 50-year chapter for Hadwen Fuller.

May 27, 2026

See related: Student Experience

Murrett Talks to CBS News about the Latest Negotiations to End U.S. War with Iran

"There's going to be some people that are unhappy with any deal that's struck, no matter what the final arrangements look like, " says Vice Adm. Robert Murrett (Ret.), professor of practice of public administration and international affairs, on negotiations to end the war with Iran and open the Strait of Hormuz.
May 26, 2026

O'Keefe One of Two Syracuse University Alumni to Join the Board of Trustees

Eileen Korey

University Professor Emeritus Sean O'Keefe ’78 M.P.A., along with David S. Klein ’93, have earned accolades in their fields, including highest honors for their accomplishments, and both credit their studies at the University for providing the foundation and the tools for their success.

May 26, 2026

Barton Research on Bipartisan Primaries Featured in New York Times Article

Richard Barton, assistant teaching professor of public administration and international affairs, analyzed 14 metrics and found that states with nonpartisan primaries had seen “statistically significant improvements” in nine of them—even when accounting for other factors.

May 19, 2026

‘Service Is Not Just a Career Path—It’s a Lifelong Journey’: Alumni Honored at Awards of Excellence

Jessica Youngman

The fifth annual event in Washington, D.C., celebrated five Maxwell graduates whose careers reflect the school’s commitment to the public good.

May 15, 2026

Murrett Discusses Strait of Hormuz, Project Freedom Pause With CBS News, Newsweek, RadioFreeEurope

“Iran does have significant leverage due to geography and capability. At the same time, it is very much in Iran’s interest to keep the strait open, given how much of its economy depends on exports moving through it. Our military posture is important in creating leverage for a diplomatic solution that would allow free and open navigation,” says Vice Adm. Robert Murrett (Ret.), professor of practice of public administration and international affairs.

May 7, 2026

Heflin Speaks With The Wall Street Journal About the Drop in SNAP Recipients

“These large state drops in SNAP caseloads represent a fundamental restructuring of the food-assistance safety net,” says Colleen Heflin, professor of public administration and international affairs. “We should expect to see a surge in food insecurity and its related negative consequences at new levels.”

May 6, 2026

Maxwell Celebrates Public Service Recognition Week With a Community Built to Serve

Cort Ruddy

Offering an opportunity to honor those among us who dedicate themselves to uplifting others through careers in government and community service, the celebration is led by the Partnership for Public Service, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to build more effective government and strengthening American democracy. 

May 4, 2026

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.

April 28, 2026

Maxwell Makes a Strong Showing at ISA Annual Convention

Jessica Youngman

Faculty and graduate students presented research, led panels and shaped the conversation at one of international studies’ premier gatherings.

April 24, 2026

Tina Nabatchi Receives National Award for Co-Edited Book on Public Administration

Mikayla Melo

ASPA recognizes Pathways to Positive Public Administration for its lasting contribution to the field.

April 20, 2026

Explore by:

Public Administration and International Affairs Department
215 Eggers Hall