A philanthropist, a former official in the Clinton administration and a seasoned political science professor are joining Syracuse University this fall all in the form of one man: Mitchel Wallerstein, new dean of the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.

‘I’m excited about the opportunity to re-engage in an academic environment,’ Wallerstein said. ‘It’s a wonderful opportunity.’

Wallerstein, a 1972 graduate of the Maxwell School, officially began his role as dean July 28, following the departure of John L. Palmer, who served as dean of Maxwell for 15 years.

Following his SU degree, Wallerstein earned both a master’s degree in 1977 and a doctorate in 1978 from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He has taught in the political science departments of M.I.T. and Holy Cross College, as well as in the School of Foreign Service at George Washington University and the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies at the Johns Hopkins University.

Wallerstein served as a senior official at the National Academy of Sciences’ National Research Council for 10 years, and in 1993 he became the deputy assistant secretary of defense of the Clinton Administration.

‘I’m living proof that one can have a range of career opportunities, and I’d like to bring that to the deanship as well,’ Wallerstein added.

Immediately before becoming the dean, Wallerstein served for five years as the vice-president of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. The foundation is an independent institution based in Chicago that brings public media attention to things such as grants, international groups and individuals who aid in issues ranging from globalization to human rights, according to the foundation’s Web site.

‘I’m absolutely delighted,’ said Deborah Freund, SU provost and vice chancellor. ‘Not only does he have his connection to SU, but with his outstanding credentials, he’s wonderful for the position. His academic, government service and foundation service are perfect ingredients for a successful ride.’

The search committee for the new dean was impressed by Wallerstein’s interviews and credentials, Freund said.

‘We had to pry him away from Chicago; they did not want to lose him,’ Freund added.

As dean, Wallerstein hopes to increase visibility of Maxwell, double its endowment and make a continued effort to expand internationally.

‘The program is really quite remarkable,’ Wallerstein said. ‘The challenge is to keep the programs as strong as they are, and then make them even stronger.’

The Maxwell School, which in the 2001 U.S. News and World Report tied for first place with Harvard University for its graduate public affairs program, is not as well-known for its other programs, a status that Wallerstein would like to help change.

‘We need to bring the social sciences to a higher level of accomplishments and build up the other departments,’ Wallerstein said.

The new dean would also like to interact often with students, and has set up office hours for anyone to visit and ask questions. He is also planning to host lunches called the ‘Dean’s Table’ in the Maxwell building’s cafe.

‘I really want to be more accessible to students,’ Wallerstein said.

Jill Leonhardt, director of communications and media relations of the office of the dean in Maxwell, said that the office staff members were worried that the new dean would change the dynamic and environment of the office, but Wallerstein has been extremely pleasant since his arrival.

‘We’re all very excited to have him, and we’re very fortunate,’ Leonhardt said.

Published on August 25, 2003 at 12:00 pm