Thanks to the ICMA Student Chapter at Syracuse University for sharing this recording of a recent panel featuring ICMA Executive Director Bob O’Neill and three local government management professionals discussing current issues in local government.

“What do Carmelo Anthony, natural disasters, changing politics and Syracuse have in common? For basketball fans, you can take it easy; Carmelo is not quitting his day job and planning a run for Mayor of ‘Cuse in 2017 (as far as we know). These were simply topics and openers for questions at the recent Maxwell ICMA Student Chapter “Current Issues in Local Government” panel.

Bob O’Neill (’74 MPA), Executive Director of ICMA; Wally Bobkiewicz (’89 MPA), City Manager of Evanston Illinois; Ann Rooney (’86 MPA), Deputy County Executive of Onondaga County; and Kelly Cupit (’00 MPA) were panelists and communicated their wisdom to Maxwell’s students.

Students can learn from professors and textbooks, but the value of having alumni return to share real-life experience is priceless. Insights ranged from lessons learned during Hurricane Sandy, to the fact that there is no typical day for a public administrator (unless your name is Bob O’Neill and you go to the airport every day, which was a joke he made).

Afterwards, students were able to speak with the panelists to ask more specific questions and build relationships with the panelists—an important aspect of being a Maxwellian.

The panel was organized by the Syracuse ICMA Student Chapter and the Center for Career Development."

To view a recording of the event, visit the Maxwell School Youtube Channel.