On Tuesday, April 7, students from Moravian University’s political science department got the chance to speak with Mayor William Reynolds over Zoom. A 2003 graduate of the Moravian political science program himself, Reynolds was elected mayor of Bethlehem in 2021 and reelected in 2025 after serving on the City Council. He served on Bethlehem City Council for fourteen years and has previously served on Moravian’s Board of Trustees. 

Reynolds’ father, the late Dr. John Reynolds, was a beloved professor of political science at Moravian from 1979 until his death in 2020 and spearheaded the Promise of the Rainbow Diversity Program at the college. The program brought high school students to Moravian to discuss diversity and social justice issues. 

Reynolds was invited to speak with students of Dr. Khristina Haddad’s POSC 292: New American Political Thought class. Students, faculty, and staff outside the class and department were invited to attend, as well. During the brief meeting, students and faculty asked Reynolds various questions about his role, initiatives, and Moravian influence. 

When asked about public spaces and street safety, Reynolds discussed the need for creating a shared experience that reflects the identity of Bethlehem. He noted the importance of public infrastructure being designed with everyone in mind, but also understanding that a single policy or initiative won’t be able to please everyone. 

Part of his agenda for his second term includes the “40 in 10” initiative, which, in the next ten years, will advance the maintenance and rehabilitation of the city’s more than 40 public parks. Through another citywide initiative, “Complete Streets,” city officials plan to make streets safer and more accessible to all travelers, including adding separate bike lanes and improving pedestrian areas. 

In reference to the collective action problem, an issue that is thoroughly discussed in political science classes, one participant asked how Reynolds deals with challenges where residents may oppose a policy, even if it will, for the most part, benefit everyone. 

“I don’t pretend that a project will benefit 80,000 [Bethlehem residents] in the manner they think it will,” he said. “When you think it’s the right thing to do, you should just do it.” He added that the payoffs from various initiatives take time, and residents won’t see immediate effects. 

Reynolds also credited his humanities training in political science and history during his time at Moravian for his empathetic outlook. Quoting his father, he remarked, “The goal is to help people, not to feel like you’re helping people.” He said Moravian gave him the toolkit to see different points of view, be flexible, and try to balance competing interests—skills that are all essential to his role as mayor. 

In closing the meeting, Reynolds offered advice for those going into political science careers. He encouraged students to find whatever they’re passionate about, but still understand that they’re not always going to be able to do that. Take the opportunities that aren’t ideal, he offered, and gain as much experience as possible. 

“Make sure whatever you’re doing, you feel it as deep[ly] as possible,” he ended. “You can fake a message, but you can’t fake a mission.”