Paul Smith’s College Launches New Degree Program in Government and Public Administration Starting in Fall of 2023

College Developing Concentration in Climate Change Public Policy

PAUL SMITHS, NY– Paul Smith’s College is launching a bachelor of science degree in Government and Public Administration. The program was approved by the New York State Education Department (NYSED) on October 12, 2022. Paul Smith’s new Government and Public Administration program will help students better understand how public policy and government shapes many facets of society, especially our natural habitats and ecosystems—the College’s core focus. The College is also working on a special concentration in climate change policy—a space where Paul Smith’s already undertaking leading scientific research.

The new program includes courses in public administration, state and local government administration, public budgeting and finance, economics or microeconomics + macroeconomics, sociology, comparative government, public policy, social research methods, among other courses.

“Paul Smith’s new degree program in Government and Public Administration will provide a unique opportunity to tie together our leading programs in natural sciences, forestry, sustainability, and the environment with public policy to show how inextricably linked our ecosystems are to the policy choices we make,” said Dan Kelting, Interim President at Paul Smith’s College. “I’m particularly excited that our faculty is also building a climate change policy concentration. Our faculty and research staff, like Dr. Curt Stager and Brendan Wiltse, are doing leading scientific research on climate change and to tie that together with public policy is a win-win for our students.”  

Special thanks to Dr. Catherine Lalonde for leading development of the program. Thank you to all faculty and staff who were involved in these efforts, Kelly Cerialo, Joe Henderson, Vance Jackson – and the Curriculum Standards Committee members, chaired by Janet Mihuc.  

Contact Information: Zoë Smith, media@paulsmiths.edu