Syracuse University is known nationally for a dynamic athletic program, which often overshadows the exceptional educational programs and achievements that truly make Syracuse University standout.

The Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs is among these. According to the recent U.S. News and World Report rankings, Maxwell recently edged out Harvard University’s JFK School of Government as the top graduate program for public affairs in the country. Maxwell Dean Mitchel Wallerstein, Associate Dean Michael Wasylenko, and the Maxwell School specifically, should be congratulated for not only placing first in the nation but for placing SU on the map of collegiate hierarchy.

As a Maxwell graduate student myself, I have seen firsthand why the program has repeatedly been ranked first. The recipe for success comes from its approach to public affairs.

According to the school’s Web site, ‘The barriers that divide academic disciplines from one another, and from the larger world of public life, are routinely breached by the wide-ranging scholarly and educational activities of an outstanding faculty and an exceptionally cosmopolitan student body.’ By imbedding public service, citizenship, and democratic theory in their professional programs, their core values withstand changing times.

The faculty rates first-class and brings ingenuity and intellectualism to the Maxwell community. Faculty members take a deep interest in students’ academic interests while nurturing educational development. Professors Rogan Kersh, Melvyn Levitsky, Vernon Greene, and Kevin Gottlieb, are examples of professors who embody such characteristics. The Maxwell faculty is also at the forefront of policy research and analysis and resides in various world-renowned Maxwell institutes, such as the Public Affairs Institute and the Global Affairs Institute.

At the core of Maxwell’s reputation in public affairs is its master’s of Public Administration program, which was consistently ranked in all major public affairs specialty categories. Department Chairman Jeffrey Straussman, Associate Director Christine Omolino, and Department Assistants, Marlene Diamond, Deborah Toole, and Janet Feathers, should also be congratulated and recognized for creating an environment that stimulates such educational achievement.

Of course, let’s not forget the students and alumni. I am constantly humbled and awed at the intellectual diversity and commitment to citizenship and public affairs that is exhibited in its students. Maxwellians come from all walks of life and ideological backgrounds and upon graduation end up working in various high-level government, international, non-profit, and private sector organizations throughout the world.

Syracuse University has much to offer present and potential college students. It’s nice that something other than our athletic program is recognized and published.

Chris N. Malagisi is a graduate in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. E-mail him at cnmalagi@maxwell.syr.edu.

Published on April 18, 2004 at 12:00 pm