Twenty-seven Universidad Panamericana (UPA) students toured the U.S. Capitol and met with Syracuse-area Congressional Rep. John Katko during a weeklong Executive Education program in Washington, D.C.

The session “helped us understand the evolution of the United States as a nation, the division of powers and critical moments in American history,” said Rolando Hiram Martínez of UPA.

Meetings with Katko, a Republican, and Gerry Petrella ’05 BA (PSc/Hist), policy director for Democratic Sen. Charles Schumer of New York addressed gun ownership, President Donald Trump’s relationship with the media, budget negotiations, and the recent government shutdown. The discussions “reinforced our understanding of the U.S. system of checks and balances,” Martinez said. 
Public policy graduate students from UPA’s Mexico City campus were in Washington Jan. 28 to Feb. 2 for U.S. Government & Politics: Policy and Decision Making. The program’s goal was to provide students, many of whom work in public sectors in Mexico, insight into how American government and political organizations operate. It was the fourth time Executive Education partnered with UPA to offer the Washington, D.C., program.

“I'm always impressed with the vitality of the participants,” said Margaret Lane, assistant director of Executive Education programs. “Each person brings vast knowledge and unique perspectives to our seminar discussions on American political systems. These sessions always allow us to gain important global perspectives on a wide variety of issues.”
In addition to a day at the U.S. Capitol, sessions focused on American exceptionalism, federalism and corruption, campaigns and elections, and media and politics. Participants also met with Dave Levinthal ’00 BA (PPhil/Newspaper), senior reporter at the Center for Public Integrity, a nonprofit news organization.

“The UPA program in Washington is a great two-way learning experience,” said Grant Reeher, professor of political science and director of the Campbell Public Affairs Institute. “I easily learn as much from the participants as they glean from me.”
Presentations and discussion sessions are designed “to emphasize some essential features of the American political and policy-making process that are least understood by outside observers, and whose full impact is severely underappreciated,” Reeher added. “That approach generates lively conversation and interesting questions, and solicits insightful observations about politics and policy in Mexico.”
Many participants cite visits to Capitol Hill as a highlight. “Hearing faculty members and local experts describe the problem of political polarization is one thing; being able to ask questions of a sitting member of Congress or a staffer who is living the problem is quite another, and it makes for a more lasting impression,” Reeher said.

Maxwell’s Executive Education program prepares leaders for a global community through midcareer degree and certificate programs in public administration, international relations, and related fields of study in addition to customized executive training at Syracuse University and locations in the United States and around the globe.

04/03/19