Mitchell Patrick McFarlane
Curriculum Vitae[pdf]
426 Eggers Hall, Syracuse, NY 13244
Email: mpmcfarl@syr.edu
Citizenship: United States

Education

Expected May 2027
PhD in Public Administration Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs Syracuse University Fields of Specialization: Social Policy & Public Finance, Budgeting and Financial Administration Advisors: Sarah Hamersma (Chair), Colleen Heflin, & Jun Li
Expected May 2027
Certificate in University Teaching Syracuse University
2021
Master of Public Affairs Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs University of Wisconsin–Madison
2018
BA in History With Distinction; With Distinction in the Major; Phi Beta Kappa University of Wisconsin–Madison

Employment and Affiliations

2022–present
Graduate Research Associate, Center for Policy Research Syracuse University
2022–present
Research Assistant, Sarah Hamersma Syracuse University
2021–2022
Budget and Policy Analyst—Advanced (Assignment: Medicaid Acute Care) Office of Policy Initiatives and Budget Wisconsin Department of Health Services
2020–2021
Graduate Project Assistant, Institute for Research on Poverty University of Wisconsin–Madison

Teaching Experience

Summers 2024–2026
Public Budgeting (Graduate), Teaching Assistant
Summer 2026
Introduction to Statistics (Graduate), Teaching Assistant
Springs 2023 & 2025
Quantitative Analysis (Graduate), Teaching Assistant
Summers 2023 & 2025
Introductory Algebra & Foundations for Microeconomics, Instructor (Preparatory course for incoming graduate students)
Spring 2024
Policy Implementation (Undergraduate), Teaching Assistant
Spring 2024
Fundamentals of Policy Analysis (Graduate), Tutor

Research

Hamersma, S., & McFarlane, M. (2026). How does SNAP access prior to pregnancy affect maternal and infant health outcomes? The Milbank Quarterly. https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-0009.70097.

Manuscripts Under Review

“Separating Distance from Scale: Decomposing the Effects of Obstetric Unit Closures on Maternal and Infant Health”
Winner, Larry D. Schroeder Award for Excellence in PhD Research, Syracuse University, 2024

Working Papers and Works in Progress

“Hospital Responses to Medicaid Provider Assessments: Charges and Medicaid Patient Share”

“The Impact of SNAP Work Requirements on Nutrition-Sensitive Comorbidities: Evidence from Hospital Inpatient Data”

“Do Medicaid Provider Assessments Affect Geographic Access to Hospital Obstetric Care?”

Presentations

“Do Medicaid Provider Assessments Affect Geographic Access to Hospital Obstetric Care?”, Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management annual conference, 2026 (Upcoming)

“The Impact of SNAP Work Requirements on Nutrition-Sensitive Comorbidities: Evidence from Hospital Inpatient Data”, Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management annual conference, 2025

“How Does Geographic Access to Perinatal Care Affect Maternal and Infant Health Outcomes?”, Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management annual conference, 2024

“The Give and Take of Medicaid Financing: How Provider Taxes Affect Hospital Finances Across Payers”, Association for Budgeting and Financial Management annual conference, 2024

“How Does SNAP Access Prior to Pregnancy Affect Maternal and Infant Health Outcomes?”, Southern Economic Association meeting, November 2023

Funding

Training Grants

NIA/NRSA T32 Predoctoral Trainee
Syracuse University Policy, Place, Population, Health, and Aging Training Program (T32AG099823)
August 2026–May 2027

External Grants and Funding

Co-Investigator (PI: Sarah Hamersma)
“How Does SNAP Access Prior to Pregnancy Affect Maternal and Infant Health Outcomes?” Research Innovation and Development Grants in Economics (RIDGE)
RIDGE Partnership (funded by USDA Economic Research Service and Food and Nutrition Service)
2023–2024
$75,000

Internal Awards

Public Administration and International Affairs Department Summer Research Award, 2025 & 2026

Larry D. Schroeder Award for Excellence in PhD Research, 2024

Spencer D. Parratt Endowed Scholarship, 2024

Birkhead–Burkhead Graduate Research Apprenticeship, 2023

Mark Stone Scholarship, 2019

Reports

Downer, L., Leffin, S., McFarlane, M., & Schaefer, N. (2021). Addressing energy poverty in Wisconsin communities. Report prepared for Wisconsin Public Service Commission. University of Wisconsin–Madison, Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs.

Escalona Aldana, V., Mathur, K., McFarlane, M., McIlhon, M., & Pankratz, J. (2020). Benefit-cost analysis of expanding Wisconsin’s Independent Living Program eligibility criteria. Report prepared for the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families. University of Wisconsin–Madison, Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs.

Professional Service

2026–present
Ad-Hoc Reviewer, Journal of Behavioral Public Administration

University Service

2020–2021
President, La Follette School Student Association University of Wisconsin–Madison
2019–2020
Vice President, La Follette School Student Association University of Wisconsin–Madison

Professional Memberships

Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management
Association for Budgeting and Financial Management

Skills and Certifications

Special Sworn Status, US Census Bureau
Statistical Software: Stata, R