Lindenmayer Will Conclude Service as Specialization Director

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Elisabeth Lindenmayer will retire at the end of this academic year from her position as director of SIPA’s specialization in International Organization and UN Studies (IO/UN) but will continue to teach as an adjunct professor and lead Capstone workshops in her areas of expertise.

Lindenmayer, who won SIPA’s Teacher of the Year Award in 2010, was the founding director of the UN Studies track. Under her leadership, IO/UN Studies grew from 33 students in fall 2014 to 113 this past semester.

“Building on SIPA’s historical connections with the United Nations, Elisabeth Lindenmayer truly brought the UN to SIPA — and SIPA to the UN,” said Dean Merit E. Janow. “Students came to SIPA from around the world to study with her and participate in the amazing programs that she led — from field research with peacekeepers in Africa to small group meetings with permanent representatives in New York City.

“Her passion and inspiration will thrive for decades to come in the work of her students,” she added.

A former assistant secretary general of the United Nations with special expertise in peacekeeping, Lindenmayer joined SIPA in 2009 as an adjunct professor and taught highly popular classes on topics including peacekeeping and peace building in Africa. She also advised multiple Capstone teams. Among many pathbreaking activities, in 2012 Lindenmayer led a team of students to North Korea in the first such trip sponsored by a U.S. university.

Janow has announced that SIPA will consult external experts this spring about the emerging needs in research and education in multilateral organizations and the UN, and the complementary area of humanitarian policy. Drawing on this expert advice, SIPA will conduct an international search for faculty to ensure that SIPA remains a global leader in research and education in these critical areas.

Read more about SIPA’s International Organization and UN Studies specialization.