About the Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs

The Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs is home to six undergraduate degree programs, four graduate programs, an interdisciplinary doctoral program, and several certificate programs. Two dual degree programs allow students to complete both their Juris Doctor (J.D.) and Master’s degrees in four years through a partnership with the College of Law. Research and Career Enhancement Centers provide engaged research conducted by faculty and staff, often with the involvement of students.

Since its establishment in 1977, the Levin School has gained a reputation for:

• Training present and future generations of urban planners, nonprofit and for-profit leaders, public administrators and scholars;
• Collaborating with neighborhood and civic leaders to address key challenges in Cleveland and Northeast Ohio;
• Conducting applied and scholarly research that improves public policies and expands opportunities for communities and people; and
• Facilitating the exchange of ideas and dissemination of information through forums and publications.

The School’s many degree programs provide diverse opportunities for learning while also functioning as a cohesive community. Students can expect to become part of a thriving academic environment that values intellectual freedom, debate, collaboration, diversity, and civic engagement. They can also expect to see their work and research extend far beyond the boundaries of campus, to the city and region that sits at our doorstep.
 

History

The Maxine Goodman Levin School of Public Affairs traces its origins to the turbulent 1960s, a time marked by the Hough riots and student protests at Cleveland State University. In 1967, Dr. Thomas F. Campbell and fellow faculty members formed the Ad Hoc Committee on Urban Studies, advocating for an institute that would bring together faculty from various disciplines to address urban issues in an interdisciplinary way, connecting academia with Cleveland’s political and economic leadership. 

Supported by the Gund Foundation, the Institute of Urban Studies offered its first classes in 1968 and became one of the founding members of the Council of University Institutes of Urban Affairs (later the Urban Affairs Association). In 1969, Maxine Goodman Levin established the Albert A. Levin Chair of Urban Studies and Public Service, the nation’s first endowed chair that allowed its holder to combine teaching and public service to address urban issues. 

Over the years, the college gained national recognition through its distinguished faculty, including David Sweet, Norman Krumholz, Sylvester “Sy” Murray, and Roberta Steinbach. Their contributions helped solidify the college’s reputation as a leader in urban affairs education. In 1977, the Institute was reorganized into the College of Urban Affairs, and in 1989, it was renamed the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs, in honor of a major endowment from its namesake. 

In 2022, a university-wide reorganization and continued philanthropic support from the Levin family positioned the Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs within a larger interdisciplinary entity—the Levin College of Public Affairs and Education—integrating urban studies with fields such as education, communication, sociology, and criminology. This comprehensive approach enhances the college’s ability to drive public impact and foster community engagement. 
 

Mission

The Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University is dedicated to excellence in teaching, research, and service through engagement in the civic, cultural, and economic life in Greater Cleveland and the state of Ohio.

 
Vision

The urban challenges that gave rise to the Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs, such as inequality and urban blight, are now intensified by larger global trends. We envision a strong, open, adaptive institution that addresses these challenges and improves the quality of life in Northeast Ohio through robust research and training opportunities.
 

Core Values 

The Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs community—faculty, staff, and students—values creating and effectively transmitting knowledge, encouraging intellectual freedom, supporting diversity in all its forms, and civic engagement that strengthens our nation’s democratic principles. 
 

Recognition 

The Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs is recognized as one of the best public affairs schools in the nation according to US News & World Report.

• #4 Urban Policy
• #12 Local Government Management