Description

Now in its 14^th year, this popular program on national, regional and local issues continues in honor of Annette Guisbond, series creator and long-time facilitator.

September 13:  Syracuse and Onondaga County: Moving Forward after the Pandemic

Ryan McMahon, Onondaga County Executive, and Ben Walsh, Mayor of Syracuse

Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon and Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh have consistently shown the community their unprecedented alignment of leadership which has focused on important investments in our infrastructure, establishing our region as a national leader in both new and established industries while also taking care of our most vulnerable and creating a community that is inclusive of everyone. While neither leader could have predicted the COVID-19 pandemic or the toll it would take on the community, their shared vision for Syracuse and Onondaga County remained undeterred. In this session, they will discuss the lessons learned, the progress and success that has been made, the status of their vision and priorities, and new goals that have been established for ensuring our community continues its recovery in a way that leaves no one behind.

September 20:  Immigration Policies and Politics Under Biden: New Directions or More of the Same?

Jamie Winders, Professor of Geography, Syracuse University

This presentation will examine US immigration policies and politics under President Biden, focusing in particular on how his administration’s approach compares to that of former President Trump. Cutting through the political rhetoric, Prof. Winders will explain what is actually going on in this politically charged area.

September 27:  The US Health Care System: Lessons from the Last Ten Years

Tom Dennison, Ph.D. Professor Emeritus, the Maxwell School, Syracuse University

Over the past ten years, the U.S. health system digested the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) and faced a pandemic at a scale never seen in modern times. We will explore what changes these forces wrought and what we learned that should shape our agenda for the next ten years.

October 4:  Trends in Population Health and Aging

Janet Wilmoth, Ph.D., Director, Aging Studies Institute, Professor and Chair, Sociology, Syracuse University

Prof. Wilmoth will provide an overview of current trends related to the aging population in the U.S. and worldwide. She will also highlight cutting-edge research in the area of aging studies being conducted by SU faculty.

October 18:  Strengthening Education in our Community: From Early Childhood to a STEAM High School

Laurie Black, Director, Early Childhood Alliance, and Jaime Alicea, Superintendent, Syracuse City School District

Transforming our education system starts with investing in our youngest learners, then maintaining those supports through high school. The first five years of life are the foundation for all future learning, but fewer than half of our children enter kindergarten with the requisite skills to succeed. Ms. Black will describe the initiatives the ECA Onondaga has been advancing to ensure that more children begin school ready to learn.

Jaime Alicea will update us on the regional STEAM high school being built downtown, which will offer a rigorous academic curriculum with a focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math. The first of its kind in New York State, this academy will move well beyond the Career and Technical Education programs in the 5 SCSD high schools, and serve a wider, more diverse student population across urban, suburban and rural school districts.  Learn more about this innovative high school, the partnerships it has engendered, and its promise for the future of our region.

October 25:  Serving Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University

Mike Haynie, Ph.D., Executive Director, IVMF, Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives and Innovation, and Barnes Professor of Entrepreneurship, Syracuse University

In 2011, Syracuse University expanded its long-standing commitment to serving veterans and the military community by establishing the Institute for Veterans and Military Families. The first academic institute in the country specifically focused on this population, the IVMF has received national recognition for its work. IVMF Founder Mike Haynie will describe the Institute’s context, objectives and achievements in research, policy analysis, and innovative programs to advance the post-service lives of veterans and their families. He will also discuss the new National Veterans Resource Center, which fosters academic, government, and community collaborations to empower those who have served.

November 1:  US Elections and Voting Rights

Shana Gadarian, Ph.D., Professor and Chair, Political Science, Maxwell School, and Kristen Barnes, Ph.D., J.D., Professor of Law, Associate Dean for Faculty Research, College of Law, Syracuse University

Drawing on her research in political psychology and political communication, Prof. Gadarian will first present an overview regarding public opinion and voting rights, including the public’s views on voting, voter turnout, and related election issues. She will also address how the pandemic affected voting rights and public perceptions of elections.

Prof. Barnes will provide a legal perspective, covering recent developments concerning the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and several Supreme Court decisions that impact the electoral landscape. She will also offer some historical context, highlighting the history of voter suppression in the US, then discuss how certain mechanisms (e.g., the census, redistricting, the Senate filibuster) relate to voting rights.

November 8:  The Ivory Tower Panel

David Chanatry, Moderator, and members of “The Ivory Tower Half Hour”

The popular Ivory Tower scholars are back to discuss politics, current events and public affairs on the local, state, and national scene, with a focus on the Biden Presidency to date. After some prepared remarks and exchanges, the panelists will address questions from our audience.

No class 10/11.