full-time faculty teaching and conducting research in political science
of Maxwell faculty conduct research focused outside of the U.S.
graduate students in residence; fewer than 12 admitted each year
Undergraduate Studies
Graduate Studies
![Mazaher Kaila](/images/default-source/testimonials/mazaher-kaila-560.jpg?Status=Master&sfvrsn=b090e10a_1)
I am Maxwell.
Civic engagement is a core value for me. I have always aspired to help the communities I’m from.” Mazaher Kaila, a Maxwell alumna and third-year student at Syracuse University's College of Law, moved with her family from Sudan to Central New York when she was four years old. “I realized that to make meaningful change in society, I needed to understand the systems that power it—government and politics—and that’s insight I would gain by studying political science.”
Mazaher Kaila ’19, L’22
political science, law
Matthew Ross Wanetik Memorial Scholarship Honors ‘Admirable Life’
June 21, 2024
Zoe Tatum Best strives to make the most of every opportunity.
![Zoe Tatum Best](/images/default-source/people-listings/zoe-tatum-best-2024-recipient-feed.tmb-people235.jpg?Culture=en&sfvrsn=8f9be52e_1)
While majoring in political science, the rising senior volunteers as an officer of Delta Gamma sorority, has spent two semesters studying abroad, performs stand-up comedy, is an avid marathoner and delights in the opportunity to test her limits while engaging with the community.
“I love the thrill and challenge that comes along with stand-up comedy and running,” says Best, who just capped off a spring semester abroad by completing the 2024 Madrid Marathon. “Running is a passion that I get to combine with travel. I love to go around the country and outside of the U.S. to run different marathons.”
Best’s effervescent personality made her the top choice for this year’s Matthew Ross Wanetik Memorial Scholarship, which honors the life of a Maxwell School student who passed away from an undetected heart ailment while studying abroad in 2008.
Wanetik was majoring in political science and international relations. The similarities between the two students are striking. Wanetik was a brother in Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity through which he participated in many service activities, including helping with the clean-up effort in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Also, like Best, Wanetik was a frequent stand-up comic at the student-run Playground organization, performed for University Union and loved to run.
Best plans to attend law school—a goal that is more possible through financial support she receives. “The stress that comes with paying for school is something that weighs heavily on a lot of students, and being awarded a scholarship like this takes the focus off money and back onto finishing my education,” says Best. “Especially with law school in my future, this makes all of the difference in my abilities to support myself post-graduation.”
“And it is all thanks to the admirable life that Matt Wanetik lived and inspired other people to live.”
By Jessica Smith
Published in the Spring 2024 issue of the Maxwell Perspective
Related News
School News
![Prema Kurien](/images/default-source/people-listings/prema-kurien.tmb-peoplehead.jpg?Culture=en&sfvrsn=e205e926_6)
Jul 29, 2024
School News
![Pia Rogers](/images/default-source/people-listings/pia-civilian-cropped-feed.tmb-newsfeat.jpg?Culture=en&sfvrsn=3af2e22e_1)
Jun 20, 2024
School News
![Bjorn Berge](/images/default-source/news/berge-feed.tmb-newsfeat.jpg?Culture=en&sfvrsn=1d45206d_1)
Jun 13, 2024
BaoBao Zhang Joins First Cohort of AI2050 Early Career Fellows
One of only 15 scholars chosen from across the U.S., Zhang will receive up to $200,000 in research funding over the next two years. Zhang will use the funding to partner with the nonprofit, non-partisan Center for New Democratic Processes to test whether public participation in AI governance is increased through the creation of public assemblies, known as “deliberative democracy workshops.”
Baobao Zhang
Assistant Professor, Political Science Department
![Baobao Zhang](/images/default-source/people-listings/baobao-zhang.jpg?Status=Master&sfvrsn=94c9b54_7)
Matthew Ross Wanetik Memorial Scholarship Honors ‘Admirable Life’
June 21, 2024
Zoe Tatum Best strives to make the most of every opportunity.
![Zoe Tatum Best](/images/default-source/people-listings/zoe-tatum-best-2024-recipient-feed.tmb-people235.jpg?Culture=en&sfvrsn=8f9be52e_1)
While majoring in political science, the rising senior volunteers as an officer of Delta Gamma sorority, has spent two semesters studying abroad, performs stand-up comedy, is an avid marathoner and delights in the opportunity to test her limits while engaging with the community.
“I love the thrill and challenge that comes along with stand-up comedy and running,” says Best, who just capped off a spring semester abroad by completing the 2024 Madrid Marathon. “Running is a passion that I get to combine with travel. I love to go around the country and outside of the U.S. to run different marathons.”
Best’s effervescent personality made her the top choice for this year’s Matthew Ross Wanetik Memorial Scholarship, which honors the life of a Maxwell School student who passed away from an undetected heart ailment while studying abroad in 2008.
Wanetik was majoring in political science and international relations. The similarities between the two students are striking. Wanetik was a brother in Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity through which he participated in many service activities, including helping with the clean-up effort in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Also, like Best, Wanetik was a frequent stand-up comic at the student-run Playground organization, performed for University Union and loved to run.
Best plans to attend law school—a goal that is more possible through financial support she receives. “The stress that comes with paying for school is something that weighs heavily on a lot of students, and being awarded a scholarship like this takes the focus off money and back onto finishing my education,” says Best. “Especially with law school in my future, this makes all of the difference in my abilities to support myself post-graduation.”
“And it is all thanks to the admirable life that Matt Wanetik lived and inspired other people to live.”
By Jessica Smith
Published in the Spring 2024 issue of the Maxwell Perspective
Related News
School News
![Prema Kurien](/images/default-source/people-listings/prema-kurien.tmb-peoplehead.jpg?Culture=en&sfvrsn=e205e926_6)
Jul 29, 2024
School News
![Pia Rogers](/images/default-source/people-listings/pia-civilian-cropped-feed.tmb-newsfeat.jpg?Culture=en&sfvrsn=3af2e22e_1)
Jun 20, 2024
School News
![Bjorn Berge](/images/default-source/news/berge-feed.tmb-newsfeat.jpg?Culture=en&sfvrsn=1d45206d_1)
Jun 13, 2024