Syracuse Sun

Miranda Peterson, a policy advisor for U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., and an alumna of the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, finds her work on the Hill to be deeply fulfilling. Peterson, who earned an executive master’s in international relations, provides analysis and recommendations on key issues such as energy, the environment, and disaster preparedness.

Peterson attributes her success in her position to the expertise she gained from the Maxwell School. She emphasizes the school's focus on foreign policy and security studies, stating, "Maxwell has a serious reputation for its high-caliber focus on foreign policy and security studies, so I knew it would be the right school to help me put a lens on the problems that matter to me."

Reflecting on the importance of her work, Peterson acknowledges the interconnectedness of domestic and international affairs, noting, "What happens out in the world affects our domestic politics, but also what we do here at home affects America’s standing in the world and ability to lead." She credits her degree program for providing her with a better context for understanding the decisions made by leaders.

Peterson also highlights the invaluable experience she gained through Maxwell's D.C. programs, which offered a unique mix of scholars and practitioners as instructors. She expresses gratitude for the flexible scheduling that allowed her to balance her academic work with her position on the Hill.

In addition to her academic pursuits, Peterson had the opportunity to work on a capstone project that examined India’s climate strategy with the guidance of experts from the think tank CSIS, a partner of Maxwell for over a decade. This experience allowed her to contribute to discussions on climate issues, which have always been close to her heart.

Having previously worked on environmental and climate-related projects, Peterson transitioned to advocacy and policymaking, ultimately finding her place on Pallone's staff. She recalls a significant moment in August 2022 when Pallone signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law, which included climate provisions authored by him or advanced through his committee. Peterson describes her role in addressing climate and biodiversity crises as "deeply fulfilling," emphasizing her belief in using her abilities for the greater good.