HWS News
18 November 2025 Expanding Knowledge and Exploring Careers in Public Policy
Students gain experience at Maxwell School Public Policy Camp.
This fall, public policy minors Holden May ’26, Chloe Odell ’27 and Isabella Falcone ’28 attended a public policy camp at Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. The program was established to provide students with an immersive introduction to public policy careers, combining workshops, collaborative projects and presentations from professionals in the field.
The students explored topics ranging from environmental policy to social welfare, gaining insight into how policies are developed, implemented and evaluated. By the end of camp, participants could see the tangible impact of public policy on communities and consider how their own interests might align with opportunities in the field.
“I learned a lot about various careers rooted in public service and policy work. It was interesting to hear from speakers across policy-related backgrounds and learn about different opportunities in the field,” Odell shares.
In addition, students developed practical skills through workshops and exercises. They practiced analyzing policy issues and evaluated potential solutions through hands-on experiences.
These projects allowed students to work in groups to address a policy challenge.
May says, “My group focused on increasing America’s involvement in the Philippines on a limited budget. Our faculty advisor was a foreign service officer based in Manila, which is where I grew up!”
Similarly, Odell shares, “Our public issue was about satellite regulation, and after we presented, we learned that our faculty leader had worked at NASA. This was so memorable because we got to apply the skills we learned in our "Public Policy 201" course.”
Taught by Professor of Sociology Renee Monson, “Public Policy 201” is a core requirement for the public policy minor. The course provides a foundation of critical concepts that students can both build on and apply, explains Associate Professor of Economics and Public Policy Studies Joshua Greenstein.
“The public policy minor at HWS combines insights from multiple disciplines such as economics, political science, sociology and ethics to help prepare students for policy focused careers.”
For HWS students, the experience offered more than just exposure to policy topics; it provided inspiration, practical experience and guidance from professionals actively shaping public policy.
Top: Public policy minors Isabella Falcone ’28, Holden May ’26 and Chloe Odell ’27 attended a public policy camp at Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.
