Maxwell School News and Commentary

The  John L. and Stephanie G. Palmer Public Administration Fellowship Fund was recently created by Dean Emeritus John L. Palmer and his wife Stephanie in order to provide financial support and mentoring to a select group of M.P.A. students each year. Katherine Gibson and Haley Smith are pursuing their studies this year as its first-ever beneficiaries.

Andrew Schwab ‘03 B.A. (Hist/PSt) was named the senior manager of policy and federal affairs at the United States of Care. In his new role, Schwab will focus on expanding the organization's footprint among federal policy makers in both the legislative and executive branches. 

Emily Ruddock ‘13 M.P.A. was named the executive director of MASSCreative, a Boston-based nonprofit involved in statewide advocacy for creative communities. She is responsible for leading the full breadth of the organization’s efforts to increase the funding and perceived value of art, culture, and creativity.

Colliers International, a real estate services and investment management company, hired Alec Hillmeyer ’18 B.A. (Econ) as a retail division associate. Previoiusly, Hillmeyer was vice president at Social Movement Media, a full-service digital marketing agency. 

Prior to joining the faculty at Virginia Tech, Stephanie Smith '09 Ph.D. (PA) was an associate professor at the University of New Mexico. She has also worked in the nonprofit sector in San Francisco and served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Vladivostok, Russia, prior to her return to academia.

In his new position as public engagement manager for the City of Menlo Park, California, Clay Curtin '06 M.P.A. will be responsible for implementing a pilot program to increase community engagement. This role, which was newly created for Curtin, is meant to help unite members of the community and community groups directly with city commissions. 

In her new role, Honora Spillane '09 J.D./M.P.A. will work on CenterState CEO’s business development portfolio. CenterState CEO is a nonprofit based in Syracuse that focuses on connecting businesses across Central and Northern New York.