David Van Slyke Reappointed to 5-Year Term as Maxwell School Dean

Vice Chancellor, Provost and Chief Academic Officer Gretchen Ritter today announced that David M. Van Slyke has been reappointed to a five-year term as dean of the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, beginning July 1. Today’s announcement follows a comprehensive review process that includes feedback from key stakeholders, including Maxwell School faculty, staff and advisory board members.

“The Maxwell School has thrived under David’s leadership,” says Provost Ritter. “He has strengthened an already strong school in numerous areas ranging from undergraduate enrollment to external funding. I am grateful for his continued service to the school and the University.”

David Van Slyke, dean of the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.

Since he took the helm as dean in 2016, Van Slyke hired 79 faculty members who help broaden the school’s research impact and visibility, increased opportunities for students, advanced Maxwell’s cross-disciplinary ethos and amplified the University’s prestige among prospective students, alumni and benefactors.

Under Van Slyke’s leadership, the Maxwell School has made significant progress on a number of key strategic priorities, including:

• The racial, ethnic and gender balance of the school’s faculty, staff and advisory board have increased, and priority has been given to initiatives focused on developing an inclusive learning and working environment that is committed to principles of diversity, equity and accessibility.
• The appointment of an associate dean of diversity, equity and inclusion to lead the development of Maxwell’s strategic plan in these areas.
• Enhanced programming aimed at fostering discourse and mutual understanding amid some of the most divisive times in recent history, including the launch of the Renewing Democratic Community Speaker Series, featuring a range of perspectives on topics of racial, disability, gender and other inequalities aimed at building mutual understanding.
• External funding for disciplinary and interdisciplinary research has increased nearly 50%.
• Five new Maxwell-affiliated research centers and institutes have opened, including the Syracuse University Institute for Democracy, Journalism and Citizenship with the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and the Autonomous Systems Policy Institute with the College of Engineering and Computer Science.
• Significantly increased fundraising, with $74.1 million raised since 2016, which supports experiential learning opportunities, faculty and student research and named positions to support faculty recruitment and retention.
• The transition to direct-admit Maxwell undergraduates and a nearly 50% growth in undergraduate enrollment.
• The launch of three undergraduate majors, three graduate programs and three graduate certificates of advanced study, as well as expanded executive education opportunities.

“I am pleased with what we have accomplished together as we approach Maxwell’s centennial using research, learning and service to address challenges and opportunities facing our local and global communities,” Van Slyke says. “It is an honor to be reappointed, and I am optimistic that our approach to interdisciplinary, innovative, citizenship-focused education will enable the Syracuse University community to lead the way in solving complex societal issues.”

Van Slyke, a highly successful researcher, passionate educator and dedicated mentor, is a professor of public administration and international affairs, the Louis A. Bantle Chair in Business-Government Policy and a senior research associate with the Campbell Public Affairs Institute and the Autonomous Systems Policy Institute.

He is the only academic member of the Defense Business Board, a select group of business leaders appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Defense to help the department operate more effectively. He also co-chairs the Volcker Alliance group on addressing structural racism and is a member of its military service to public service working group and a mentor with its Future Leaders of Schools of Public Service BIPOC faculty leadership mentoring group. He is actively involved with the National Academy of Public Administration and the Association for Professional Schools of International Affairs.

Van Slyke received a Ph.D. from the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy at the University at Albany.