Greene appointed director of social science doctoral program

Greene appointed director of social science doctoral programApril 27, 2004

Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs Dean Mitchel B. Wallerstein has announced that Vernon L. Greene, professor of public administration, has been named to direct the school’s doctoral program in social science. Greene will take over the position on July 1.

“Vernon Greene will be a strong leader of the social science Ph.D. program,” Wallerstein says. “He brings a deep commitment to interdisciplinary education and long experience and pedagogical expertise. He will be an innovator in a program already known for its ground-breaking characteristics, and he will be particularly effective in adding a methodological dimension to the program’s core.”

Greene joined the Maxwell School’s public administration department in 1986 and was promoted to professor in 1992. His research and teaching interests are in social policy related to aging and gender, federalism and democratic theory, the political and administrative implications of globalization and political philosophy, particularly the concept of citizenship. He has served as president of the National Academy on Aging, as editor-in-chief of The Gerontologist, and as director of Syracuse University’s Gerontology Center. He is a fellow of the Gerontological Society of America.

Maxwell’s doctoral program in social science was established in 1946 as the nation’s first interdisciplinary doctoral program in the social sciences. It continues to be an innovative center for creative scholarship for students whose interests do not easily fit within one discipline. Social science doctoral candidates develop individual programs of study focusing on specific areas such as gerontology, conflict resolution, African American studies, the environment, urban affairs, health and peace studies.

Stepping down after 10 years as the program’s director is Robert Bogdan, Distinguished Professor of Sociology and Cultural Foundations of Education. During his directorship, Bogdan has enhanced the visibility of the program, bringing excellent students to Maxwell and inspiring them with insightful advice and effective mentoring.

“Bob Bogdan has led the social science Ph.D. program with great distinction. His enormous standing in his professional field and his ability to work with graduate students in tailoring personalized courses of study have helped to maintain the program as the national standard for interdisciplinary work in the social sciences,” says Wallerstein.