While students make final arrangements for moving out for the summer, the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University is preparing to usher in the arrival of a new, internationally recognized professor to its staff.

Catherine Bertini, United Nations under-secretary-general for management who oversees the UN’s human, financial and physical resources, will join Maxwell in fall 2005. She will begin work as a professor in the public administration program, said Jeff Straussman, chair of the public administration department at the Maxwell school.

‘She has a wealth of information to share not only with students but with personnel,’ Straussman said. ‘That type of high-level of experience is useful to students.’

Born in Syracuse, Bertini’s work with the United Nations also included a position as executive director of the World Food Program, the U.N. agency that receives the most voluntary funding. There, she was responsible for managing emergency and refugee food aid operations for over 100 countries.

John McPeak, professor of public administration, said his work in Kenya had much in common with Bertini’s work with the United Nations.

‘I work in development economics, so I have some overlap with her,’ he said. ‘When I was in Kenya, I saw the World Food Program distributing food.’

At Maxwell, Bertini will teach courses on international affairs, Straussman said.

‘Students will benefit from her experience by appreciating the complexities of how international organizations operate,’ he said. ‘I’m quite excited. I think she’s going to bring a fresh perspective about international affairs.’

McPeak said he also has a lot to learn from Bertini’s experience.

‘I think she has a lot of practical, real-world experience,’ he said. ‘She will provide a lot of good illustrations and contacts (for students and faculty). I’ll learn a lot more about the policy side.’

Bertini’s work at SU will not only affect many of her colleagues, but also her students. Samanthe Eulette, a junior international relations major, said she is excited about learning more about the international side of public administration than is normally covered in her classes.

‘Usually you just hear what the State Department does for America, but (the United Nations is) an international organization that’s totally different from the State Department,’ she said. ‘It’s not biased for American views. I think it’s a good opportunity.’

Bertini will also be able to help Eulette’s aspirations of working with foreign services with her knowledge of international relations. She will be able to give many interested students a more in-depth look at what it is like to work with the United Nations and with the administrations of other countries, Eulette said.

‘A lot of ambassadors here are phenomenal; they’ve worked with people within the U.S. administration, but she can tell us about working with people in different countries and bring a different outlook,’ she said. ‘She’ll be able to bring something different to the tables.’

Published on May 10, 2005 at 12:00 pm