MPA student James Hacker spent the past year balancing studies with his leadership role in an increasingly influential website.

Considering that the Maxwell School was designed from the start to engage with civic issues and public policy, it’s no surprise that the School has been politically active throughout its history — and scrutinized and criticized for its perceived political leanings.

Post-conflict project veteran Deborah Alexander led a panel discussion of Afghanistan at Maxwell’s new home in D.C.

The pioneering Public Diplomacy Program was well-timed to serve the trends and challenges of international advocacy.

Syracuse University opened its new School of Citizenship and Public Affairs on October 3, 1924, headquartered in Slocum Hall and not yet named for its then-anonymous donor . . .

Universities traditionally aim “to train minds and to strengthen character” and “to transmit the accumulated learning and culture of ages on to each rising generation,” said  former president Herbert Hoover, at the dedication of Maxwell Hall. "This institution especially has led in endeavor to lift public administration to a profession,” he added.

“He wasn’t just teaching the theoretical aspect of the course but empowering you with skills you need if you were to start working in a development agency,” says Odunayo Arowolo ’13 M.A. (IR/Econ), about the course taught by Bob Christen, professor of practice. “He wants you to be able to hit the ground running.”

Expert on political leadership, Margaret Hermann, professor of political science, analyzed the decision-making style of U.S. presidents Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan during times of stress, particularly the Iranian hostage crisis. Hermann's research shows that stress highlights a leader's most characteristic traits, and that some policy makers thrive in crises while others may fall apart.

Alumni and former colleagues offer observations on a 50-year Maxwell faculty member and the School’s sixth dean, who passed away last summer.

Syracuse’s new Institute for Veterans and Military Families considers the impact of service on soldiers and on the people around them.

To understand how funding organizations evaluate potential grantees, undergraduates in PAF 410 field real requests and award real money.

Peg Hermann is a pioneer in the field of political psychology, creating a new method for analyzing what political leaders are like — and for anticipating what they might do next.

Political scientist Colin Elman is helping change the way qualitative research is standardized, stored, and shared.

A tragedy in Ashlee Newman’s family created a new legislative advocate.

Among graduate students at Maxwell this fall are its two new Robertson fellows — the third pair funded by the Robertson Foundation for Government.

The journal Chronos celebrates the best of undergraduate scholarship in the field of history — as judged by undergraduates themselves.

Bioarchaeologist Shannon Novak is marrying physical and social science to capture the life stories of New York City church congregants who died well more than a century ago.

As happens in every graduate program at Maxwell, projects such as Spring Street Presbyterian help establish student careers.

Last summer, design students from SU's College of Visual and Performing Arts spent six weeks in Hong Kong at an international workshop on design and aging, accompanied by design professors who are also faculty affiliates of the Aging Studies Institute.