SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Syracuse University announced it has reappointed David Van Slyke as dean of the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.
The announcement follows a review that included the feedback of Maxwell School faculty and staff, the Maxwell advisory board, and the Maxwell faculty council. The executive committee of the Syracuse University board of trustees approved Van Slyke’s appointment, the school said.
“David has performed at an extraordinary level over the last two years,” Syracuse University vice chancellor and provost Michele Wheatly said in a news release. “He has exceeded expectations — both quantitatively and qualitatively — and has demonstrated that his leadership is exactly what the Maxwell School requires in the years ahead. I am proud to reappoint him dean and am confident the Maxwell School will continue to flourish with David at the helm.”
During the review process, Van Slyke, who is also the Louis A. Bantle chair in business-government policy, was “widely praised for his personal integrity, credibility and responsiveness,” Syracuse University said.
Those who reviewed Van Slyke described him as a “strong advocate” for the Maxwell School; a “good communicator” who is open to the new ideas; and a leader who is “willing to address difficult issues,” according to the release.
Activity as dean
During his two years as dean, Van Slyke oversaw the creation of several new initiatives involving “partners on campus and beyond.”
They included leading the first Maxwell School academic strategic-planning exercise; implementing the Maxwell/2U executive masters of public administration (MPA) program; developing a new integrated learning major (ILM) in environment, sustainability and policy; and launching an executive master’s in international relations in Washington, D.C.
The Maxwell School is listed as a partner on the website of Lanham, Maryland–based 2U, Inc. (NASDAQ: TWOU), which describes itself as a company that works with colleges and universities “to build what we believe is the world’s best digital education.”
From an administrative standpoint, Van Slyke and his team doubled fundraising from the prior year, which included soliciting and securing gifts totaling nearly $8 million; re-energized and reconstituted the Maxwell advisory board; founded a student advisory council; established a new, additional associate dean position to provide “increased capacity” within the dean’s office; hired 20 new faculty members; and appointed five faculty leaders to new or existing endowed or funded chairs and professorships, Syracuse University noted.
Van Slyke began serving as dean of the Maxwell School on July 1, 2016. Prior to that, he was associate dean and chair of Maxwell’s department of public administration and international affairs.
He is a tenured, full professor of the Maxwell School and the College of Arts and Sciences and a two-time recipient of the Birkhead-Burkhead Award and Professorship for Teaching Excellence, Syracuse added.
Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com