Recognition for Mihm's Promotion of 'Outstanding Civil Service for Future Generations'
Chris Mihm Honoured with Prestigious Teaching Award
Chris Mihm, an adjunct professor at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, has been recognised for his exceptional teaching skills and contributions to public administration education. In 2025, he was awarded the prestigious Arnold Steigman Excellence in Teaching Award by the New York State Academy for Public Administration (SAPA) [1][2][5].
This award, given annually, honours part-time instructors who engage public service professionals and foster excellence in the field. The award is named after the late Arnold Steigman, a government official with 40 years of experience, who taught public administration at various universities including City University of New York, Long Island University, and Empire State College [1][2].
Mihm's teaching primarily focuses on public administration, democracy, and performance management. He is known for his clear presentation style, inclusive classroom environment, and promotion of diverse, robust dialogue. He develops meaningful course assignments with feedback to help students master concepts [1][5].
In addition to his work at the Maxwell School, Mihm frequently serves as a guest lecturer on advanced topics such as globalized governance, risk management, performance assessment, public-private partnerships, performance budgeting, and public sector management reform [1][5].
Mihm's career achievements are numerous. He has spent over three decades as a public servant, including 37 years at the U.S. Government Accountability Office, 17 of which were served as the managing director for strategic issues [3]. He has also served as a member and chairperson of the Independent Expert Oversight Advisory Committee for the World Health Organization and is currently the deputy chair on the Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee at the Fédération Internationale de Football Association [4].
Maxwell Dean David M. Van Slyke has praised Mihm's impact on students, highlighting his ability to lead critical discussions that allow students to grapple with fundamental questions about the role of government, bureaucracy, and democracy [6]. Mihm's former students continue to be influenced by his teaching, as they apply his lessons in their own careers in modern times [7].
Over the past seven years, Mihm has taught over 400 students in Maxwell's M.P.A. and executive M.P.A. programs [8]. In addition to the Arnold Steigman Excellence in Teaching Award, Mihm has also received the Executive Education Excellence in Teaching award [9].
The SAPA is a New York State-based, nonprofit organization that promotes best practices for public administration professionals [10]. Mihm's work is recognised for contributing to a vibrant learning atmosphere and bridging academic theory with practical public administration challenges [1][5].
[1] https://www.maxwell.syr.edu/faculty/chris-mihm [2] https://www.nyapa.org/awards/arnold-steigman-excellence-in-teaching-award/ [3] https://www.gao.gov/about/leadership/leadership-team [4] https://www.fifa.com/about-fifa/governance/committees/executive/governance-audit-and-compliance-committee [5] https://www.maxwell.syr.edu/news/stories/2025/05/chris-mihm-named-arnold-steigman-excellence-in-teaching-award-winner [6] https://www.maxwell.syr.edu/news/stories/2023/03/chris-mihm-receives-executive-education-excellence-in-teaching-award [7] https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-mihm-37b7054/ [8] https://www.maxwell.syr.edu/academics/programs/executive-education/ [9] https://www.maxwell.syr.edu/news/stories/2023/03/chris-mihm-receives-executive-education-excellence-in-teaching-award [10] https://www.nyapa.org/about-us/
- Chris Mihm's dedication to education-and-self-development extends beyond the classroom, as he frequently shares his expertise through skills-training sessions on various advanced public administration topics.
- Mihm's influence on personal-growth and career-development is not limited to his students at the Maxwell School, but also extends to professionals in various sectors who attend his guest lectures and workshops.
- His contributions to public administration education, coupled with his involvement in policy-and-legislation at both local and global levels, make him a significant figure in the ongoing discourse of general-news and politics, bridging the gap between academic theory and real-world challenges.
