The University’s top teaching assistants were recognized by the Graduate School with the Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award.

The important work and contributions of teaching assistants were recognized yesterday at a ceremony hosted by the .

The Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award is given to teaching assistants who have demonstrated excellence in the role through activities such as classroom teaching, laboratory or studio instruction, leading recitation or discussion sections or assisting senior faculty members with high-enrollment courses.

“Teaching assistants are vital to the undergraduate experience,” says Graduate School Dean Peter Vanable. “They bring energy and important insights to their academic disciplines and are dedicated to the students with whom they work. I thank this year’s award winners for their contributions to the University’s academic mission.”

The 2025 Outstanding Teaching Assistant Awardees, representing the top 3.5% of the TA workforce, are:

• Agathe Baggieri, languages, literatures and linguistics, College of Arts and Sciences
• Karisa Bridgelal, writing studies, rhetoric and composition, College of Arts and Sciences
• Caroline Capuano, physics, College of Arts and Sciences
• Yu-Wei Chang, psychology, College of Arts and Sciences
• Jing Cheng, mechanical and aerospace engineering, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Gargi De, civil and environmental engineering, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Ayşenur Değer, political science, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs
• Julie Harnett, teaching and curriculum, School of Education
• Tori-Ann Haywood, sociology, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs
• Elise Hegarty, languages, literatures and linguistics, College of Arts and Sciences
• Elana Israel, mathematics, College of Arts and Sciences
• Benjamin Kaufman, mathematics, College of Arts and Sciences
• Harneet Kaur, social science, College of Arts and Sciences
• Pyeonghwa Kim, information science and technology, School of Information Studies
• Hannah Kimbrell, mathematics, College of Arts and Sciences
• Amanda Kingston, cultural foundations of education, School of Information Studies
• Connor Knowlan, communication and rhetorical studies, College of Visual and Performing Arts
• Megan Koch, earth and environmental sciences, College of Arts and Sciences
• Elise Krespan, biology, College of Arts and Sciences
• Gabriella Larson, psychology, College of Arts and Sciences
• Adarsh Raghuram, geography and the environment, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs
• Abhishek Samlodia, physics, College of Arts and Sciences
• Hector I. Sanchez, history, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs
• Victor Sholl, philosophy, College of Arts and Sciences
• Nathalie Uwamahoro, electrical engineering and computer science, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Josiah van Egdom, political science, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs
• Ying Xu, human development and family science, David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics

Awardees are nominated by their departments and must present a teaching portfolio as part of the review process.

Recipients of the 2025 Excellence in Graduate Education Faculty Recognition Award were honored by the Graduate School at a campus ceremony April 24.

Ten ���ϲ����� faculty members were honored with the Excellence in Graduate Education Faculty Recognition Award at a campus ceremony April 24. The award, given annually by the , honors professors who have had a significant impact on graduate education through teaching, service and research or creative activities.

This year’s awardees, chosen by an interdisciplinary committee of graduate students, are the following:

• , associate professor of communications, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications
• , assistant professor of human development and family science, David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics
• , assistant professor of exercise science, Falk College
• , associate professor of sociology, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs
• , professor of mathematics, College of Arts and Sciences
• , assistant professor of biology, College of Arts and Sciences
• , associate professor and associate chair of psychology, College of Arts and Sciences
• , mechanical and aerospace engineering, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• , assistant professor of marriage and family therapy, Falk College
• , professor of higher education, School of Education

“We know that talented faculty members are the cornerstone of a quality graduate education,” says Peter Vanable, dean of the Graduate School. “This awards program gives us an opportunity to hear directly from our students, as well as from faculty, staff and alumni, about which professors have had a significant positive influence on their studies. We are delighted to recognize these ten individuals for their dedication and contributions to the University.”

This year’s recipients are:

• Jeffrey Adams, English,
• Akshay, computer and information science and engineering,
• Erika Arias, political science,
• Seok Wun (Shiila) Au Yong, cultural foundations of education,
• Bruce Baigrie, geography, Maxwell School
• Erin Bisesti, sociology, Maxwell School
• Eric Cochran, mathematics, Arts and Sciences
• Xiaoyu Fu, human development and family science,
• Jessica Fundalinski, teaching and curriculum, School of Education
• Michael Kelly, geography, Maxwell School
• Shanel Khaliq, sociology, Maxwell School
• Hyojeong Kim, public administration, Maxwell School
• Minseok Kim, philosophy, Arts and Sciences
• Amanda Kingston, cultural foundations of education, School of Education
• Elise Krespan, biology, Arts and Sciences
• Akit Kumar, information science and technology,
• Sanggu Lee, philosophy, Arts and Sciences
• Jinfen Li, information science and technology, Information Studies
• Tyler Logie, earth and environmental sciences, Arts and Sciences
• Abigail Long, composition and cultural rhetoric, Arts and Sciences
• Desiree Martin, mathematics, Arts and Sciences
• Fasika Melese, instructional design, development and evaluation, School of Education
• Arda Ozyenginer, English, Arts and Sciences
• Henry Potts-Rubin, mathematics, Arts and Sciences
• Samuel Santiago, English, Arts and Sciences
• Dustin Satterfield, sociology, Maxwell School
• Mahder Serekberhan, political science, Maxwell School
• Paige Spencer, religion, Arts and Sciences
• Elina (Ruiqi) Sun, social psychology, Arts and Sciences
• Benjamin Valen, social psychology, Arts and Sciences
• Jenna Walmer, social psychology, Arts and Sciences

Corri Zoli

“Corri is an amazing thinker and has a great strategic mind. She has the ability to integrate various perspectives into a coherent agenda for the future. The Lender Center is fortunate to have her joining our team,” says center director .

Zoli joins , associate professor of management in the , who was named Lender Center senior research associate in Fall 2022. They will work together with Phillips to bring existing research to culmination, maximize impact and find new research opportunities focused on social justice.

Zoli is also an affiliated faculty member with the . Her research and teaching focus on U.S. military veterans and national and international security, with an emphasis on law and policy challenges, problems of new technologies in warfare and the role of cross-cultural dynamics in conflicts and humanitarian efforts.

“I’m thrilled to be appointed as a research associate at the Lender Center and to be working with Kendall, Kira and our many dedicated colleagues who have made the Lender Center’s mission of interdisciplinary, community-engaged research a priority,” Zoli says.

Glenn Wright congratulates Three Minute Thesis competition winner Jayda Felder.

, a doctoral student in social psychology at the , won the competition with her presentation, “.” She received 16-inch MacBook Pro M4 and a one-year membership in the , the professional organization of her choice.

“The cliché is that academic research is both impenetrable and pointless,” says Glenn Wright, executive director of professional and career development at the Graduate School. “The 3MT really challenges graduate students to tackle that perception head-on, explaining quickly and clearly what their research is and why it makes a difference. That’s a great skill when engaging the public, and highly useful in academia, too.”

The other 3MT contestants were:

• Nimisha Krishnan (Ph.D., physics, ): “How Cells Move Cargo: Learning from Nature’s Tiny Transport System”
• Bramsh Khan (Ph.D., social science, Maxwell School): “Politics of Gendered Infrastructure Violence in Balochistan, Pakistan”
• Mary Theresa Pagan (Ph.D., sociology, Maxwell School): “Older Recent Widows and Physical Activity: A Qualitative Investigation of the Roles of Care Work and Social Support”
• Sarah Nahar (Ph.D., religion, Arts and Sciences): “Closing the Poop Loop: An Everyday Way to Heal the Planet”
• Ratnakshi Mandal (Ph.D., chemical engineering, ): “Decoding Alzheimer’s: Putting Together the Puzzle of Memory Loss”
• Abigail Helen Long (Ph.D., composition and cultural rhetoric, Arts and Sciences) “‘Stuck’ Together: Identifying Writing Teachers’ Access Needs”
• Nghia Le Ba Thai (Ph.D., bioengineering, Engineering and Computer Science): “PorousX: A Novel Artificial Matrix for Treating Chronic Wounds”
• Paul Sagoe (Ph.D., biomedical engineering, Engineering and Computer Science): “Small but Mighty: Therapeutic Nanoparticles, the Tiny Heroes Fighting Arthritis”
• Qingyang Liu (Ph.D., human development and family science, ): “When and Where to Invest: Early Material Hardship and Children’s Self-Regulation.”

Three-Minute Thesis participants share details about their research and creative work in a compelling way—within a three-minute time limit.

Wright moderated the event. Judges were Matthew Carr, chief financial officer at Manlius Pebble Hill School; Davoud Mozhdehi, associate professor of chemistry at the College of Arts and Sciences; and Sylvia Sierra, associate professor of communication and rhetorical studies in the .

was first developed at the University of Queensland in Australia and is now held at colleges and universities around the world.

Doctoral candidates received a certificate of recognition at the event March 28 at the National Veterans Resource Center (Photo by Chuck Wainwight)

“This is a major milestone on the path to a Ph.D.,” says Peter Vanable, dean of the Graduate School. “As these students now turn their attention fully to their dissertations, we wanted to take a moment to honor them for the many hours of hard work they have already invested in their doctoral education, and to cheer them on towards timely completion of their degree.”

The half-day event brought together doctoral candidates, advisors and academic leaders from across campus. Vanable offered opening remarks, after which certificates of recognition were presented to the candidates in attendance.

The event also included a series of breakout sessions on topics relevant to doctoral candidates.

Graduate School Dean Peter Vanable greeted guests ahead of the ceremony (Photo by Chuck Wainwright)

Glenn Wright, executive director of professional and career development in the Graduate School, moderated a panel discussion on “Planning and Writing Your Dissertation.” Panelists were Heidi Hehnly, associate professor of biology in the College of Arts and Sciences (A&S); Yiling Lan, doctoral candidate in biology in A&S; Mary Beth Monroe, associate professor of biomedical and chemical engineering in the College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS); and Nghia Le Ba Thai, doctoral candidate in biomedical and chemical engineering in ECS.

A panel discussion on “Humanities, Social Sciences and Other Fields” was moderated by Qingyang Liu, a graduate assistant in the Graduate School. Panelists were Jin Lei, associate dean for academic affairs and a professor in the School of Education; Fasika Melese, doctoral candidate in instructional design, development and evaluation in the School of Education; Patrick Berry, associate professor of writing studies, rhetoric and composition in A&S; and Zakery Munoz, doctoral candidate in composition and cultural rhetoric in A&S.

The Graduate School plans to hold the doctoral candidate recognition event annually.

Kendall Phillips, director of the Lender Center, welcomes the audience to the 2025 Lender Symposium.

Representatives from some 80 regional community-based organizations gathered at the Marriott ���ϲ����� Downtown March 27 for an expo event hosted by ���ϲ�����’s . About 300 people attended.

The event was designed to facilitate dialogue and strengthen collaboration between individuals and organizations that serve Central New York, according to Lender Center Director Kendall Phillips. “The Lender Center is focused on increasing economic inclusion for all people and allowing them to create intergenerational wealth and stability. These organizations are on the front lines of providing support, resources and opportunities for all the communities in our region,” Phillips says.

Participants included organizations like Peace Inc., ���ϲ����� Housing Authority, Vera House, Alzheimer’s Association of Central New York, Helio Health and InterFaith Works. Roundtable discussions, open forums and breakout sessions focused on the unique opportunities and challenges facing community-based organizations, including funding, burnout and effective advocacy. The event also featured tabling and networking opportunities.

The event was part of the Lender Center’s ongoing focus on the racial wealth gap, funded by a three-year, $2.7 million grant from MetLife Foundation.

Kira Reed (far right), senior research associate at the Lender Center, introduces the participants in the Funders Roundtable (from left to right): Jonathan Snow, president of the John Ben Snow Foundation; Melanie Littlejohn, president and CEO of the CNY Community Foundation; Meg O’Connell, executive director of the Allyn Family Foundation; and moderator Lyndsey Hodkinson, director of foundation relations.

Lender Center postdoctoral fellows brought their expertise to the Lender Symposium. Pictured are (from left to right) Yolanda Christophe, Mauricio Mercado and J Coley.

Community members and nonprofit leaders engaged in priority setting exercises organized by the Program for the Advancement of Research on Conflict and Collaboration.

Local nonprofit organizations shared information and created connections during the Lender Symposium.

Susan Albring and Willie Reddic from the Whitman School of Management join in the community discussion about priorities and strategies for the future.

The CRB, which consists of 11 individuals in various roles across campus, reviews appeals of civilian complaints regarding Department of Public Safety (DPS) officer conduct, current and prospective DPS policies, procedures and trainings and key community-facing functions of DPS. The CRB is also responsible for issuing an of findings and recommendations.

Join the CRB

CRB members serve on a rotating schedule. Currently, there are seven open seats for two undergraduate students, one graduate student, one staff member, two faculty members and one administrator.

To be considered for a seat on the CRB, by Monday, April 15, and submit as follows:

• Undergraduate Students: Two undergraduate students will be selected by the Student Association (SA); applications should be submitted to SA President German Novilas at studentassociation@syr.edu.
• Graduate Students: One graduate student will be selected by the Graduate Student Organization (GSO); applications should be submitted to GSO President Daniel J. Kimmel at gsointernalvp@syr.edu.
• Staff: One staff member will be selected by the Office of Human Resources; applications should be submitted to Andrew Gordon, senior vice president and chief human resources officer, at SVPCHRO@syr.edu.
• Faculty: Two faculty members will be selected by the University Senate; applications should be submitted to Doug Yung, chair of the Employee Services, Fiscal Affairs and Operations committee, at ptyung@syr.edu.
• Administrators: One administrator will be selected by Chancellor Kent Syverud; applications should be submitted to Souher Cosselman, director for strategic initiatives in the Office of the Chancellor, at sscossel@syr.edu.

New members will be notified by Monday, April 29.

Spring Open Forum

The CRB’s annual spring open forum, where members share information about their work, will be held Friday, April 18, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. in 411 MacNaughton Hall (Falk College Complex). Attendees will have the opportunity to share their experiences or ask thoughtful questions related to DPS and policing on campus. The event will also be .

American Sign Language (ASL) and Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) will be available. To request additional accommodations, email crb@syr.edu.

On Tuesday, April 8, MSCHE’s vice president for institutional field relations, , will hold an open forum to provide information and answer questions about the reaccreditation process. All students, faculty and staff are invited and encouraged to attend. The event will be held from 11:15 a.m. to noon in the Joyce Hergenhan Auditorium, Newhouse 3. A virtual option will also be available; .

For more information about MSCHE accreditation, visit .

is part of the 2025-26 cohort of cultural organizations being considered for accreditation by the (AAM).

The highest national recognition afforded to museums in the U.S., accreditation signifies excellence to the museum community, governments, funders, outside agencies and the museum-going public. Just over 1,000 of an estimated 33,000 museums in the U.S. are accredited; of those, only 16% are university museums.

To prepare for the accreditation process, museum staff members, with support from University partners and advisory board members, have spent the last five years closely examining museum operations, activities and policies and creating five “core documents” required for accreditation. This has resulted in strengthened operations, adherence to best practices and strategic future-planning.

Museum staff also completed two Museum Assessment Programs (MAP): one in Collections Stewardship (2021) and the other in Community and Audience Engagement (2024). Offered through a cooperative agreement between AAM and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, MAP is widely considered the first step toward becoming a fully accredited cultural institution.

“Over the past five years, our team has been diligent in our path towards accreditation and already witnessed that this process is both vigorous and complex, yet highly rewarding,” museum director Emily Dittman says. “We could not have arrived at the final step in that process without the hard work of everyone on our talented team, and we are looking forward to the next year as we work towards securing AAM accreditation for the very first time.”

The accreditation process begins immediately with six-to-eight months of self-study, followed by a site visit by a team of peer reviewers in Spring 2026.

Punto de Contacto/Point of Contact is located in the Nancy Cantor Warehouse in downtown ���ϲ�����.

For half a century, (POC) has served the University and local communities as a hub for artistic and literary exploration. Two special programs will be held this year in celebration of the organization’s 50th anniversary.

Poet Diana Marie Delgado will read from her work April 2 as a guest of POC’s Cruel April poetry series.

On Thursday, April 2, a reading by acclaimed Mexican American poet will kick off POC’s Cruel April poetry series, which is held annually in observance of National Poetry Month. The reading will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. at the , located in Shaffer Art Building on campus.

The event will also feature a pop-up show of five artist books commissioned in honor of POC’s 50th anniversary. The exclusive works—created by POC advisory board members (board president and associate professor of studio arts in the College of Visual and Performing Arts), Pedro Roth, Matías Roth, Joseph Kugielsky and Maritza Bautista—are inspired by Delgado’s poems and by poetry selections from POC’s early literary publications, including Argentine author Julio Cortázar’s “Five Erotic Sonnets.”

The 2025 Cruel April series is dedicated to the memory of poet , associate professor emeritus of English in the College of Arts and Sciences, who died in December. Burkard was a longtime partner of and contributor to POC, and his poetry was published in the POC poetry collection “Corresponding Voices, Vol. 4.”

Guests at the Delgado reading will also be able to view the exhibit “,” curated by , assistant professor of Latinx literature and culture, who will also speak at the event.

POC’s second 50th anniversary event will be a major exhibition of Latin American art from the permanent collection. “50 Sin Cuenta” will open Friday, Sept. 19, at the College of Visual and Performing Arts’ Warehouse Gallery in the Nancy Cantor Warehouse, 350 West Fayette Street, ���ϲ�����.

Artistic Evolution

Punto de Contacto/Point of Contact was founded by late scholar Pedro Cuperman. It began in 1975 as an independent editorial project at New York University, where Cuperman first taught when he migrated from Argentina in the late 1960s. He brought POC to ���ϲ����� in 1976, and it evolved to include the “Corresponding Voices” book series, poetry editions and, in 2005, an art gallery. Cuperman, who died in 2016, taught Latin American literature and semiotics in the Arts and Sciences’ Department of Languages, Literatures and Linguistics for more than 40 years.

“I’ve always felt that Point of Contact is sort of a rare, hidden gem—a fiercely creative space where voices correspond across borders, disciplines and cultures,” says ’82, executive director of the Office of Cultural Engagement for the Hispanic Community. “I am incredibly fortunate to have spent 22 of those 50 years working closely with Pedro Cuperman and with so many amazing colleagues, artists, poets and scholars. Point of Contact has also served as a training ground for students, many who now hold top positions as arts administrators, curators and museum professionals across the country, extending the impact of our mission far beyond ���ϲ�����.”

For more information about POC and scheduled events, visit .

“Monumental Concerns 2”—a continuation of the first “Monumental Concerns” symposium held on campus in fall 2023—is scheduled for Friday, March 21, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at The Museum of Modern Art’s Titus 1 Theatre, 111 West 53 Street, New York City. The event is free and open to the public. .

“As artists we are all profoundly engaged in our mutual practices, yet the water gathers us into a single pool,” Weems says. “I invite you to stand on the bridge as we consider contested sites of memory and monuments.”

The symposium seeks to evoke an examination of the politics of disagreement in order to collectively create a framework for moving towards a sense of belonging for all. Questions to be addressed include: How might we understand the stakes of the dialogue and debate around monuments and the sites they commemorate? How do we negotiate among multiple—and often conflicting—narratives and the way they show up in public space? Is disagreement crucial to transformation?

In addition to Weems, event participants include:

• , art historian and director of research programs, The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
• , curator and director, Monument Lab
• , director of transformative art and monuments, City of Boston
• , civil rights lawyer and founder, 14th Amendment Center for Law and Democracy, Howard University
• , composer and pianist
• , assistant professor of English, College of Arts and Sciences, ���ϲ�����
• , founder and principal strategist, Equity Empowerment Consulting
• , artist and associate professor of art, Brooklyn College, City University of New York
• , professor of communication and rhetorical Studies, College of Visual and Performing Arts, and director, Lender Center for Social Justice, ���ϲ�����
• , founder and CEO, Beyond Conflict
• , composer and 2025 Adobe Creative Resident, MoMA
• , poet and playwright
• , historian and director, Institute for Historical Justice and Reconciliation
• , composer and trumpeter
• , lawyer and founder, Equal Justice Initiative
• , architect and Nancy and George Rupp Professor of Architecture Planning and Preservation, Columbia University
• , assistant professor of art, architecture and design, Lehigh University

The event will conclude with “Defiant Life,” a musical performance by Iyer and Smith, from 6 to 7 p.m.

“Monumental Concerns 2” is co-organized by ���ϲ����� and The Museum of Modern Art, and supported in part by the Mellon Foundation. For more information, contact Kate Schwartz at 315.443.8017 or kschwa03@syr.edu.

Established in 2018, the Office of the University Ombuds is an informal, confidential, neutral and independent resource that helps members of the campus community navigate difficult situations without fear of retaliation or judgement. Neal Powless G’08 serves as the University Ombuds.

The survey seeks to gather input from individuals who have utilized the office’s services as well as those who have not. Survey results will help ensure that the Office of the University Ombuds continues to be a valuable and effective presence on campus that meets the needs of our students, staff and faculty.

Questions about the survey should be directed ir@syr.edu. For more information about University Ombuds, email ombuds@syr.edu.

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The award recognizes programs that represent strong partnerships between academic and student affairs in a way that supports and fosters student learning and positively contributes to the university. It was accepted by Shannon Hitchcock Schantz, director of FYS, and Jimmy Luckman, former associate director of FYS, now director of the LGBTQA+ Center at Pace University.

First Year Seminar director Shannon Hitchcock Schantz and former associate director Jimmy Luckman accepted the Collaborative Excellence Award at the ACPA–College Student Educators International conference last month

“We are so honored to receive the Collaborative Excellence Award from ACPA,” Schantz says. “It showcases what we can accomplish when we work together to impact students’ sense of belonging on campus. Without our over 35 campus and community partners, we would not have been able to accomplish the goals of the Shared Experience Week, so this award is for everyone that has helped this initiative take shape over the last four years.”

, a semester-long, one-credit course, was started in 2021 as a way to foster a sense of community among incoming first-year and transfer students. An essential part of FYS, Shared Experience Week sends students across campus and into the local community to participate in service-learning projects that ultimately benefit all. Among the campus and community partners in that effort are the Office of Student Engagement, the Shaw Center, the Barnes Center at The Arch, ���ϲ����� Art Museum, ���ϲ����� Abroad, the Rescue Mission, Ronald McDonald House and others.

FYS Information Sessions for Faculty, Students

FYS is taught by lead instructors (faculty, staff and graduate students) with assistance from peer leaders (undergraduate students). Two upcoming events will provide more information for faculty and staff who would like to get involved.

• A will be held Tuesday, March 25, from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence, 550 Bird Library.
• A will be held Tuesday, April 8, from 4 to 5 p.m. at the Peter Graham Scholarly Commons, 114 Bird Library.

For more information about the lead instructor role or partnering with the FYS team for the Fall 2025 Shared Experience Week, contact Schantz at 315.443.9035 or sschantz@syr.edu.

The recognizes new students who earned a GPA of 3.75 or higher in their first semester, completed a minimum of 15 credits and are in good standing with the University. The honor carries a $500 Invest in Success Scholarship per semester, renewable for up to four years if the student completes 30 credits a year and maintains a minimum 3.25 cumulative GPA.

Students mingle at a networking event following the Success Scholars reception Feb. 21 at Schine Student Center’s Goldstein Auditorium. (Photo by Amelia Beamish)

“As we celebrate the remarkable achievements of our Success Scholars, we reaffirm our dedication to nurturing a community of scholars, innovators and leaders who will shape the future with their commitment to excellence,” says Kal Srinivas, director for retention and student success. “This event is a testament to the hard work and determination of our students, and we are proud to support them on their academic journey.”

The Success Scholars program was started in 2019 to foster academic excellence and motivate and retain exceptional students. The recognition event also gives students the opportunity to connect with faculty and staff and learn about campus resources like the Renée Crown University Honors Program, ���ϲ����� Abroad, The SOURCE, ’Cuse Works and the Mary Ann Shaw Center for Public and Community Service.

TianYing Callam

Success Scholar TianYing Callam is a first-year student in the . The Cleveland native says she chose to attend ���ϲ����� for the competitive curriculum, numerous clubs and organizations and wide-ranging opportunities and experiences available to students, as well as the sports programs and strong school spirit. Since arriving on campus, she has worked with the , joined the and attended events. During the course of her undergraduate years, Callam plans to work in a research lab, study abroad, find internship opportunities and learn more about the city of ���ϲ�����.

“Being a Success Scholar means that I have achieved my goal of being a high-level academic student,” she says. “This achievement gives me the confidence that I have the potential to strive even further than I imagined. This achievement is a result of my active participation in and outside of the classroom.”

Shwetha Srinivasan

Success Scholar Shwetha Srinivasan, also a first-year student in ECS, came to ���ϲ����� from Bangalore, India. She is a Campos Student Fellow at the college’s , and she has volunteered with the Shaw Center’s and participated in . She plans to add a second major, study abroad and delve into research.

“I hope to establish and rediscover myself here. The best way to do this is to put myself out there and try as many new things as I can,” she says. “I am honored to be a Success Scholar. To me, this symbolizes the effort I put into my coursework last semester. It shows that working hard always has its reward.”

Eight graduate students will be honored with the Graduate Dean’s Award for Excellence in Research and Creative Work at an annual hosted by the Graduate School on Wednesday, March 5. The event will also include brief presentations from the awardees about their research or creative work. The campus community is invited and encouraged to attend.

This year’s honorees, selected by members of the Graduate Faculty Council from a pool of nearly 60 applicants from across the University, are:

• Caroline Charles, English, : “Black Family Photography in ���ϲ�����: Assembling a Community Collection with Family Photo-Sharing”
• Bramsh Khan, social science, : “Gendered Politics of Infrastructure Violence in Balochistan, Pakistan”
• Natalie Petryk, bioengineering, : “Biodegradable and Bioactive Polyurethane Foams to Improve Traumatic Wound Healing”
• Frank Sicong Chen, computer and information science and engineering, Engineering and Computer Science: “Enhancing Security and Health Monitoring on Wearable Devices through Multi-Modal Continuous Monitoring”
• Lily Holloway, creative writing, Arts and Sciences: “Always I Am Wanting and Wanting: A Literary Reading”
• Benjamin Valen, social psychology, Arts and Sciences: “Health Disparities Among Transgender, Nonbinary and Cisgender Undergraduate Students”
• Jersey Cosantino, cultural foundations of education, : “Resisting Pathologizing Discourses: (Re)claiming Mad, Neurodivergent and Trans* Narration via a Mad Trans* Studies Oral History Method(ology)”
• Yasmine Tiana Goring, television, radio and film, : “222 Macon Street”

“The depth and breadth of our graduate students’ portfolios are truly impressive,” says , dean of the Graduate School. “We are proud to honor them, and look forward to hearing more about their work during their presentations at the awards ceremony.”

The awards recognize overall academic excellence and outstanding research and creative activities by master’s and doctoral students. Honorees receive a certificate of recognition and a $500 award.

Student who earned honorable mention were:

• Azadeh Ghanizadeh, composition and cultural rhetoric, Arts and Sciences
• Pardha Sourya Nayani, electrical and computer engineering, Engineering and Computer Science
• Tevvon Hines, film,
• Elina Ruiqi Sun, social psychology, Maxwell School
• Tosin Alabi, business administration,

The will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. in 312 Lyman Hall. A reception will follow. For more information, contact Holly Johnson at hjohns02@syr.edu.

Kevin Adonis Browne

The program is designed to facilitate cross-institutional networking and collaboration among academic leaders while building leadership capacity at participating ACC institutions.

���ϲ����� members included in the 2025 cohort are:

• , associate professor of writing studies, rhetoric and composition and chair of the Humanities Council,

  Brad Horn

• , professor of practice in public relations and associate dean for strategic initiatives,
• , teaching professor, executive director of clinical education and executive director of the Betty and Michael D. Wohl Veterans Legal Clinic,

  Elizabeth Kubala

• , assistant dean for undergraduate programs,
• , assistant provost for arts and community programming, Office of Strategic Initiatives,

  Lindsay Quilty

Miranda Staats Traudt

The program will kick off with a virtual event on Feb. 7, followed by three on-site sessions at Wake Forest University (March 26-28), the University of Miami (June 23-25) and Georgia Institute of Technology (Oct. 20-22).

The sessions will focus on leadership topics and trends in higher education while promoting leadership growth, awareness and effectiveness.

Participating faculty members from all member institutions have received foundational leadership training and served at least one year in a relevant leadership role.

The entire campus community is invited to participate in these four virtual events, which focus on key areas of the plan:

• Monday, Jan. 27, 3 to 4:15 p.m.: , facilitated by , associate provost for strategic initiatives, and , associate vice president for academic operations
• Monday, Feb. 17, 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.: , facilitated by , vice president for research, , associate provost for academic programs, and Dekaney
• Friday, March 21, 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.: , facilitated by Brown, Eiffe and Hasenwinkel
• Tuesday, April 29, 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.: , facilitated by Brown and , professor of women’s and gender studies in the College of Arts and Sciences and director of the ���ϲ����� Humanities Center

The town halls are designed to create an inclusive environment that promotes the sharing of diverse viewpoints, opinions and ideas, reflecting the participatory nature of the plan’s development during the 2022-23 academic year. Following an introductory presentation about the town hall topic, moderators will facilitate conversation centered on five key questions.

“These events will allow our community to come together to discuss progress on the plan and what it means for the future of the University,” says Interim Vice Chancellor, Provost and Chief Academic Officer in a message to the campus community. “We look forward to hearing from all of you.”

All events will be held on Zoom. To register, .

“There are individuals across campus, in many different kinds of roles, who consistently go above and beyond in service to our university,” says Jamie Winders, vice provost for faculty affairs. “The Chancellor’s Citation for Excellence provides the perfect opportunity to recognize those individuals.”

Faculty, staff and students may be nominated in one of four categories:

• Award for Faculty Excellence and Scholarly Distinction (faculty)
• Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Student Experience and University Initiatives (faculty or staff)
• Award for Excellence in Student Research (students)
• Lifetime Achievement Award (faculty)

More information about the award and the nomination process is . Questions may be directed to Amanda Latreille at 315.443.5413 or arlatrei@syr.edu.

Maloney, a researcher who investigates fundamental questions in theoretical physics and quantum information theory, comes to ���ϲ����� from in Montreal.

Alexander Maloney

“I am delighted by the opportunity to work with the outstanding students and faculty at ���ϲ����� to help push the forefront of research in quantum science,” Maloney says.

The Walters Endowed Professorship was established by a $2.5 million gift from ���ϲ����� Board of Trustees Chair Emeritus Kathy Walters ’73 and her husband, Stan ’72. Their gift was made as part of the , which supports the recruitment and retention of high-caliber faculty.

“The commitment of the Walters family has allowed us to recruit a world-class leader for ���ϲ�����’s quantum science program,” says , vice president for research. “Professor Maloney will bring together outstanding faculty from the and the and provide new opportunities for our students to engage in cutting-edge research.”

Maloney’s research focuses on connections between quantum information theory, field theory, statistical mechanics and quantum gravity.

“Over the last century, advances in our understanding of the quantum world have underlain some of the most important scientific and technical advances that have changed both our society and our understanding of the universe,” Maloney says. “This includes deep questions ranging from elementary particle physics and black holes to materials science and engineering. Many of the most exciting current directions lie at the intersection of quantum science and information theory, where a new field of science is being created that may have profound implications, both for our understanding of fundamental physics and for the construction of quantum computers and precision devices.”

A&S Dean Behzad Mortazavi notes that health care is another area of promise in quantum information science. “For example, we can imagine the potential for much earlier detection of diseases like cancer through quantum sensing, and the creation of highly personalized, more effective treatments for those diseases based on analysis of massive amounts of DNA data,” he says. “With Professor Maloney bringing his internationally recognized expertise to join the other top researchers in A&S physics, we are excited to be on the leading edge of this frontier.”

Maloney’s previous positions include James McGill Professor of Physics and Sir William Macdonald Chair in Physics at McGill University, where he was honored with the John David Jackson Award for excellence in teaching. He was a member of the in Princeton, New Jersey, and a research associate at the . He was selected as a Simons Fellow in Theoretical Physics in 2013. He earned a Ph.D. in physics from Harvard University and an M.Sc. in mathematics and B.Sc. in physics from Stanford University.

At ���ϲ�����, Maloney will work with four new researchers—now being recruited by the University with support from and —who will grow teaching and research in quantum science, providing opportunities for students to advance understanding of nature and design the next generation of quantum technologies.

Emily Dittman

Following 17 years of service to the , Emily Dittman has been named director, effective Oct. 16. The announcement was made today by Associate Provost for Strategic Initiatives Elisa Dekaney.

“Emily’s steady, visionary leadership has already guided the ���ϲ����� Art Museum along a successful path and secured its place at the center of campus life,” Dekaney says. “I am excited to continue working with her to further expand and strengthen the museum as a resource for students, faculty, staff and the local community.”

Dittman has served as the museum’s interim director for two years, leading operations, financial and strategic planning, alumni relations, fundraising and communications and marketing, and managing a staff of six full-time and 14 part-time employees. Additionally, she directs the collections care team, overseeing cataloguing, storage, environmentals and the design and function of the collection database.

“I am thrilled to embark on the next chapter of my leadership journey with the arts at ���ϲ�����,” Dittman says. “The museum’s prestigious permanent collection, engaging exhibitions and dynamic programs inspire me daily with their potential to serve as transformative experiences for our community. I am excited for the opportunity to collaborate more closely with our students, faculty, artists and community members during this exciting period of growth for the museum as an arts destination that is welcoming and open to all.”

Dittman joined the Art Museum in 2007 as a collection and exhibition manager, a role she held for 11 years. In that capacity, she had oversight of the SUArt Traveling Exhibition program, the Campus Loan program, special exhibitions and photography exhibitions at ���ϲ����� Art Galleries. She also handled communications tasks, including gallery publications and media relations. She later served as associate director for four years.

Dittman has curated a number of exhibitions, including “Impact!: The Photo League and its Legacy,” “Wanderlust: Travel Photography,” “Everyday Art: Street Photography in the ���ϲ����� Art Collection” and “Pure Photography: Pictorial and Modern Photographs.” She serves on the board of and teaches museum studies courses in the .

Dittman earned an M.A. in museum studies and an M.S. in library and information science from ���ϲ����� and a B.A. in history from Allegheny College.

Chancellor Syverud speaks at the opening of the University’s new center in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 24. (Photo by Shannon Finney)

The opening of a new ���ϲ����� center in Washington, D.C., was celebrated by members of the University community at a special event Sept. 24.

“This city is a place our students want to be. It’s a place they want to live. And it’s a place they want to build their futures and careers after they graduate,” said Chancellor Kent Syverud. “Our students studying away here benefit from ���ϲ�����’s academic strength and deep connections in policy, government, media and law.”

The center, located at 1333 New Hampshire Ave. in the Dupont Circle area of Washington, will serve students, faculty, staff and alumni. Building on an already thriving presence in the nation’s capital, the center will enhance the University’s global influence and impact.

Mike Tirico ’88, host and play-by-play commentator with NBC Sports, hosted the event. Speakers included Chancellor Syverud, Interim Vice Chancellor, Provost and Chief Academic Officer Lois Agnew, and Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives and Innovation J. Michael Haynie.

The centerpiece of the event was a panel discussion examining the changing landscape of collegiate sports and public policy. Margaret Talev, Kramer Director of the ���ϲ����� Institute for Democracy, Journalism and Citizenship, moderated the discussion. Panelists were James Phillips, commissioner of the Atlantic Coast Conference, Felisha Legette-Jack ’89, ���ϲ����� women’s basketball coach, and Tirico.

From left: Mike Tirico, Felisha Legette-Jack, James Phillips and Margaret Talev participate in a panel discussion on the changing landscape of collegiate sports and public policy on Sept. 24. (Photo by Shannon Finney)

Expanded Opportunities

The Washington, D.C., center houses the and serves as a home base for study away programs offered by the , and , through which hundreds of students live, learn and work in the city every year. Washington is home to more than 15,000 alumni, many of whom connect with students as teachers, mentors and internship supervisors.

The center will support the continued growth of study away programming across the University’s schools and colleges, as envisioned in the academic strategic plan, “.”

“We now begin a new chapter in that already successful story,” Provost Agnew said. “This space is more than just a building. It is ���ϲ�����’s academic home in one of the most important cities in the world. It will serve as a hub for students, faculty and staff, positioning them as change makers and thought leaders on some of the most important issues of our time.”

Students joined alumnus broadcaster Mike Tirico (sixth from left, front) and Newhouse School Director of Washington Programs Beverly Kirk (fourth from right) to celebrate the opening of 1333 New Hampshire Ave., the University’s new dedicated space in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Shannon Finney)

The center will also enhance the work of the (IVMF), which has a satellite office in the building. Haynie noted that IVMF has contributed more than 1,750 research publications, engagements and products for public benefit, with much of that work focused on the federal level.

“I am confident that with a permanent presence in Washington, the institute’s impact will grow considerably and accrue to the benefit of those who have worn the nation’s cloth and their families,” he said.

The center includes classrooms, student lounges, conference and interview rooms and a multipurpose space, as well as satellite offices for the and the Division of Advancement and External Affairs. It features the Greenberg Welcome Center, named for alumnus and Life Trustee Paul Greenberg ’65, whose philanthropy supported the 1990 opening of Greenberg House, the University’s first outpost in Washington.

The program, NRT-URoL: Emergent Intelligence Research for Graduate Excellence in Biological and Bio-Inspired Systems (EmIRGE-Bio), will support the integration of research and education on emergent intelligence in both biological and bio-inspired systems and allow doctoral students to work and experience team-building across disciplinary and departmental boundaries.

Lisa Manning speaks at a previous BioInspired Symposium. (Photo by Angela Ryan)

“Many of society’s most pressing challenges—including food security, sustainability and supporting aging populations—will require breakthroughs in biotechnology and bio-inspired science,” says , William R. Kenan Jr. Professor of Physics in the College of Arts and Sciences (A&S), who is principal investigator (PI). “This program will train a new generation of scientists and engineers who can evaluate and harness complex systems, such as biological tissues or next-generation materials, to drive intelligent responses such as sensing, actuating and learning, leading to breakthrough technologies.”

Co-PIs are , associate professor of biology and chemistry in A&S; , associate director of BioInspired and Renée Crown Professor in the Sciences and Mathematics and associate professor of biology in A&S; , Samuel and Carol Nappi Research Scholar and associate professor of biomedical and chemical engineering in the College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS); and , associate professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering in ECS.

BioInspired director , professor of biomedical and chemical engineering in ECS, says, “the Research Traineeship Program is currently one of—if not the most—competitive funding programs at the National Science Foundation. Receipt of the award speaks to the existing strength of graduate education in BioInspired fields at ���ϲ����� and to the exciting new opportunities and programming that Lisa and the team designed and proposed and now stand poised to deliver.”

The EmIRGE-Bio program will feature advanced core disciplinary courses in areas foundational to biotechnology and bio-inspired design; the development of two new courses utilizing team-based learning paradigms; and a longitudinal professional development program. It will also include a STEM entrepreneurship course offered by the Martin J. Whitman School of Management, an internship program and a co-curricular workshop series on project management and technology transfer.

Some 115 Ph.D. students from fields that span the life and physical sciences and engineering are expected to take part in the training, which the research team says will address a STEM workforce gap identified by local and national partners in industry and academe.

“Emergence in biology and bio-inspired design is one of the University’s signature areas of strength, and we have seen that borne out by the success of BioInspired since its founding in 2019,” says Interim Vice Chancellor, Provost and Chief Academic Officer . “This initiative draws on that strength and supports our long-term strategic goal to transform STEM at ���ϲ����� and enhance graduates’ potential for success in a swiftly evolving marketplace.”

Adds , vice president for research: “The NRT award will advance BioInspired in ways that are core to ���ϲ�����’s identity: recruiting and retaining a diverse student population, advancing cutting-edge interdisciplinary research and education and providing our students with the entrepreneurial skills needed in the 21st century workforce.”

Terence Lau

After graduating from the in 1998, Terence Lau embarked on a legal career that took him from Detroit to France to Thailand to the U.S. Supreme Court. He worked in the Office of the General Counsel at Ford Motor Company. He served as director of ASEAN Governmental Affairs for Ford Asia Pacific Operations. He was a Judicial Fellow, working for the counselor to the chief justice of the United States.

But it was a guest speaker role at the University of Dayton (UD) that changed the course of his career. When he was invited to consider taking a faculty position there, he decided—“after a lot of thinking and introspection,” he says—to make the move to academe.

Lau, who was recently named dean of the College of Law, has held multiple academic and leadership positions in higher education since then. At UD he started as a faculty member in the School of Business Administration and went on to serve as chair of management and marketing and associate dean for undergraduate programs. He also ran faculty affairs for the University of Dayton China Institute. Lau later went to California State University, Chico, where he served as dean of the College of Business, interim dean of the College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Construction Management, and interim provost and vice president for academic affairs. He begins his tenure at ���ϲ����� today.

SU News sat down with Lau to learn more about him and his plans as dean.

What does it mean to you to return to your alma mater?

It’s an unbelievable opportunity. The education I received at the College of Law is central to who I am personally and professionally, and is at the center of many good things that have happened in my life. I’ve supported the college in any way I could over the years, from contributing to the campaign for the building of Dineen Hall to serving on the Board of Advisors. To now have the privilege of serving as dean is something I never would have dreamed possible. I can’t wait to get started.

What do you see as the greatest opportunities for the College of Law?

As I see it, the college has four primary strengths. The first is a longstanding reputation for academic excellence and outstanding graduates, including the current president of the United States. The second is an ability to produce innovative programs, including the first-in-nation . The third is a strong and supportive alumni network. The fourth is a diverse group of faculty experts, leaders in their field who contribute to the college’s research output and academic reputation.

Looking at these strengths, I think there are opportunities to leverage the ���ϲ����� brand to grow JDi even more, and to continue to lead the nation in delivering high quality legal education on demand and, in the process, to continue to disrupt the legal education industry.

There are also opportunities to grow our dual-degree, blended and certificate programs, as more skilled workers seek smaller credentials and specialized legal knowledge beyond the broad-based J.D. program. I’d also love to see us tell our story in a more compelling way and to be recognized in external rankings as a top-tier law school.

Finally, as the nation’s economy continues to evolve in a post-COVID world, I see the legal industry changing to adapt to those changes, and legal education will also change. The traditional model of success as being defined by being part of “Big Law” in New York City will probably give way to a broader definition of success as a lawyer.

What are you most excited about?

I’m excited to take my wife and daughter to Dinosaur Bar-B-Que for the first time! And to explore all the beautiful places around Central New York.

At the College of Law, I’m excited to get to know our outstanding faculty and staff and listen to what they have to say about who we are, what we do, what makes us different and where we should be going. And I’m really looking forward to meeting some of our outstanding alumni who are making a big impact with their ���ϲ����� legal education.

What are your priorities for the first year? What do you hope to have achieved in five years?

In my first year I hope to have met with every single faculty and staff member in the college in a meaningful way, to learn how I can best support them and give them the tools and resources they need to build a high performing organization. I hope to spend a significant amount of time with students in all our programs, listening to their dreams and aspirations as well as their frustrations and ideas for ways to improve their ���ϲ����� experience. And I look forward to working with Interim Provost Lois Agnew and Chancellor Kent Syverud to continue to find ways for the college to contribute to the University’s goal of leading with distinction.

In five years, I hope we will see a law school that has moved up considerably in external rankings, with outstanding bar passage and employment outcomes, and that is recognized as a national leader in access and diversity, and in innovating new ways to meet the needs of the legal industry.

What advice do you have for incoming students?

First: Approach being a law student like it’s a job in terms of time management. It’s critical to set aside time and be really strict about academic work. When I was a law student, having nights and weekends as “me” time was really important, so I made myself a promise that if I was a law student between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., I didn’t have to be a law student after 5 p.m. or on weekends. It didn’t always work out that way, but having that understanding with myself helped me stay afloat of all the work.

Second: Make sure that self-care is high on the list. Students who are able to step away from their studies are the ones who can come back to it refreshed and energized, versus being burned out all the time.

Finally: The road to becoming a lawyer starts on the first day of law school, and the type of attorney you will become is defined early. Give some thought to what that means for you; it matters and will make a difference.

What do you do for fun?

My family and I love to travel, see new things and make new memories. And I’m an avid runner: I find it’s my most productive thinking time and a real stress reliever.

Lightning round:

Kindle/e-reader or old-school books?

Definitely old-school books.

Movies or series?

Series. These days there are so many good ones!

Take out or dine out?

Take out.

Museums or theater?

Theater.

Ocean or lake? Domestic or abroad? Beach or adventure?

Ocean. Abroad. Beach!

College sports: Yes or no? Football or basketball? Other?

Yes, and basketball!

Sleep: Night owl or early riser?

Early riser, definitely.

Favorite season?

Summer.

Something about you no one would expect?

I have a private pilot’s license and I love all things aviation related. And of course, being from the car industry, I think real cars have manual transmissions!

“���ϲ����� is so fortunate to count outstanding teachers, scholars and administrators like Julie and Elisa among its faculty members, and I am truly grateful for their willingness to serve in these important roles,” Agnew says. “Their past leadership experiences and fresh perspectives position them to make a positive impact not only on the Academic Affairs team, but also across the University and in the local community.”

Julie Hasenwinkel

Julie Hasenwinkel

As associate provost for academic programs, Hasenwinkel will support teaching, learning and student success. Her portfolio will include oversight of a wide range of University offices and programs in these areas, including the , the and . She assumes the role from Agnew, who was named interim vice chancellor, provost and chief academic officer July 1.

, a Laura J. and L. Douglas Meredith Professor of Teaching Excellence, is currently chair of the Department of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering in the (ECS). She is also a faculty affiliate of the . She has served as ECS associate dean for academic and student affairs and senior associate dean.

Her professional and scholarly areas of expertise include faculty development in teaching and learning; engineering education and active learning pedagogies; student success initiatives; orthopedic biomaterials; and biomaterials for nerve regeneration. She holds a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering from Northwestern University, an M.S. in bioengineering from Clemson University and a B.S.E. in biomedical engineering from Duke University.

“I’m very excited to take on this role and to have the opportunity to work with colleagues across the University and the leadership team in Academic Affairs to enhance our academic programs, student success, experiential inquiry and teaching and learning excellence,” Hasenwinkel says. “I look forward to implementing the goals of the academic strategic plan and exploring innovative ways that we can meet the current and future needs of our students so they can thrive at ���ϲ����� and beyond.”

Elisa Dekaney

Elisa Dekaney

In the role of associate provost for strategic initiatives, Dekaney will work to strengthen the academic experience through strong connections with campus and community-based programs, particularly in the arts and humanities. In this role, she will oversee University-based cultural organizations like the , and , among others. Dekaney will also have oversight of the University’s study abroad and study away initiatives. She assumes the role from Marcelle Haddix, who was recently named dean of the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

, now the associate dean for research and global engagement and a professor of music education in the , is also a Laura J. and L. Douglas Meredith Professor of Teaching Excellence.

Her scholarly research focuses on aesthetic response to music, world music and cultures, International Phonetic Alphabet, Indigenous and Afro-Brazilian culture and clinical simulation applied to music education. She holds a Ph.D. in choral music education from Florida State University, a master’s degree in choral conducting from the University of Missouri-Kansas, a bachelor’s degree in sacred music (piano) from the Seminário Teológico Batista do Sul do Brasil and a bachelor’s degree in communications from the Universidade Federal Fluminense.

“I am honored to join Interim Provost Lois Agnew and the entire Academic Affairs team. This role presents an incredible opportunity to collaborate with ���ϲ����� faculty, staff and students in driving innovative projects and fostering a culture of excellence in an environment welcoming to all,” Dekaney says. “I am committed to advancing our strategic goals with a strong focus on diversity and inclusion. By ensuring that our initiatives reflect these core values, we can create a transformative educational experience that benefits all members of our community.”

J. Cole Smith

Vice Chancellor, Provost and Chief Academic Officer today announced that has been reappointed to a five-year term as dean of the . Today’s announcement follows a comprehensive review process that includes feedback from key stakeholders, including ECS faculty, staff and advisory board members.

“In Cole’s nearly five years as dean, the College of Engineering and Computer Science has grown stronger on multiple counts and made great strides towards reaching a new level of excellence,” Provost Ritter says. “This is an exciting time for the college, and I can think of no better leader to shepherd the students, faculty, staff and alumni into this new era.”

Smith assumed leadership of ECS in October 2019. His tenure has been marked by several high points for the college. A massive renovation, which included multiple new lab spaces and the Allyn Innovation Center, served to modernize ECS buildings and facilities. The pending new Campos Student Center, supported by a recent $2 million gift that Smith helped secure, will further enhance the college’s physical space.

Smith oversaw the development of the new ���ϲ����� Center for Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing, an interdisciplinary center that brings together expertise in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, manufacturing processes, optimization and robotics to advance the science of semiconductor manufacturing. He also helped launch a new master’s degree program in , as well as the .

Under Smith’s leadership, ECS research expenditures grew by 30% during the 2022-2023 academic year over 2019 levels. Enrollment, faculty size and staff size are also on track to grow by 50% in the next four years as part of a plan Smith developed. He also helped guide the college toward .

“Engineering and Computer Science is driving regional, national and international growth in areas such as advanced manufacturing, sustainable infrastructure, healthcare engineering, advanced computing technologies and materials science,” Smith says. “I have never been a part of a more exciting moment at the nexus of college, University, city and national growth. What we are doing here matters and will resonate for decades to come, and it is a true privilege to have the opportunity to realize the transformational opportunity that awaits ���ϲ����� and the College of Engineering and Computer Science.”

Smith came to ���ϲ����� from Clemson University, where he held positions as associate provost for academic initiatives and chair of the Department of Industrial Engineering. His research focuses on integer programming and combinatorial optimization, network flows and facility location, computational optimization methods and large-scale optimization due to uncertainty or robustness considerations. In 2023, he was .

The work of the Human Dynamics Task Force will focus on programs in human development and family science; marriage and family therapy; public health; and social work with the aim of positioning them for future success by leveraging opportunities and expanding impact. Those programs have long been housed in the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics which, as announced in April, will become the David B. Falk College of Sport and focus exclusively on sport-related disciplines.

“The human dynamics programs have played an important role in the history of our University, and have had a significant impact on the communities they serve,” Provost Ritter says. “With the transformation of Falk College comes a unique opportunity to take a thoughtful approach to ensuring the future success of these programs and the continuation of that legacy.”

The first meeting of the task force was held May 28, and work will continue throughout the summer. A final report will be submitted to Provost Ritter by the end of October.

Members of the task force include:

• , associate provost for academic programs (co-chair)
• , associate dean for human dynamics, Falk College (co-chair)
• , professor of practice of human development and family science, Falk College
• , associate provost for strategic initiatives
• , Falk College Advisory Board
• , Dean’s Professor, School of Education
• , assistant dean for online and distance education and associate teaching professor of social work, Falk College
• , deputy mayor, City of ���ϲ�����
• , assistant director of undergraduate admissions, Falk College
• , deputy county executive for human services, Onondaga County
• , member, Falk Faculty Council and associate teaching professor and graduate director of marriage and family therapy, Falk College
• , professor of human development and family science and Marjorie Cantor Professor of Aging Studies, Falk College
• , associate professor of social work, Falk College
• , associate professor and undergraduate director of public health, Falk College
• , professor of practice and chair of marriage and family therapy, Falk College
• , associate dean, College of Professional Studies

The three-year grant supports the creation of a unique oral history archive and course development focused on the history and ethics of public health pandemic response and faculty and doctoral student training that centers humanities knowledge and methods.

From left: Marian Moser Jones, Amy Fairchild and Cheryl Healton

The educational and research resource will create “new, urgently needed, accessible opportunities for the humanities to speak to public health and broaden access to humanities higher learning opportunities,” says , professor at the Maxwell School, who is principal investigator (PI). Co-PIs are , associate professor of health services management and policy at The Ohio State University, and , founding dean and professor of public health policy and management at the School of Global Public Health at New York University (NYU).

The research team has already conducted nearly 100 interviews with state and local health officials, delving into their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. A planned third phase of the oral history initiative will result in approximately 150 interviews from 40 states and two territories that will become part of a digital archive, “Stewards in the Storm,” housed at ���ϲ�����’s .

Widespread public and political backlash against protective health measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic—and against those who were trying to implement those measures—has had a lasting impact on public health, including ongoing staff shortages and attempts to sharply curtail public health authorities needed to preserve life. In their initial rounds of interviews, the research team found that 36 percent of health officials reported receiving death threats, and 24 percent reported serious threats to their families—with women and people of color more likely to receive such threats.

The third round of interviews is important, Healton says, “because it ensures a resource with a broad, nationally inclusive sample that both researchers and instructors can use to conduct reliable, valid research and to develop strong humanities content in courses that reach both public health and humanities students.”

In addition to expanding the interviews, the researchers also plan to establish a hands-on “Backlash Lab” that will introduce students to the history and ethics of public health, oral history interviewing techniques, qualitative coding strategies and techniques, and quantitative analysis. The lab, anchored at ���ϲ�����, Ohio State and NYU, will also create partnerships with colleges that have historically served Black, Hispanic or first-generation students. Students will code interviews and write case studies to be used in undergraduate and graduate courses as well as professional settings.

Additionally, a survey course, Pandemics: History, Ethics, Politics and Policy, will be developed collaboratively and offered at ���ϲ�����, Ohio State, NYU and Cornell University, with the aim of extending it to other collaborating institutions and other schools and programs in public health. The course aims to cut across public health, public policy and the humanities with a focus on history, medical sociology and communications.

In years two and three of the project, the team will run two workshops for scholars teaching public health and humanities at community and four-year colleges and universities across the country, with a focus on institutions that have public health schools or programs. The workshops will introduce teachers to the techniques of oral history, suggest ways to work with the archive and extend the reach of the new course.

The project capitalizes on synergies between public health and the humanities and addresses common gaps in knowledge about public health history. “As important as easy access to primary documents related to pandemic responses are, we can further illuminate broader historical themes that enrich both the humanities and the field of public health by providing insight into peoples’ lived experiences of pandemics and pandemic response,” Moser Jones says.

“This rich body of narrative history does more than create qualitative data through oral history methods,” Fairchild adds. “Rather, it uses the experience of the pandemic as a lens that can clarify and contextualize the continuing climate of pandemic-associated backlash that has ongoing repercussions for pragmatic efforts to confront population health challenges, from reproductive rights to climate change. It is primarily the foundation for humanistic investigation into the ways in which governmental responses to crises are social products and reflect the societies in which people live and die.”

“This well-deserved honor acknowledges the groundbreaking work and professional contributions of Professors Artuso and Qiu and, at the same time, honors them for their tremendous impact on the University and our students,” says Vice Chancellor, Provost and Chief Academic Officer Gretchen Ritter.

Marina Artuso

Marina Artuso

Artuso is an internationally recognized expert in experimental particle physics. Since 2005, she has worked on the at the CERN laboratory in Geneva, and since 2021 has served as the principal investigator of the LHCb team at ���ϲ�����. Her scholarship challenges the dominant understanding of how the particles that make up all matter work, and she is a global expert in designing and building detectors to see these particles. The detector, recently completed under her leadership, is part of a new and improved LHCb detector that is expected to greatly increase sensitivity to new physics.

CERN researcher Monica Pepe Altarelli describes Artuso as “one of the world’s most experienced and recognized experts in experimental flavor physics… [with] broad expertise in both instrumentation and data analysis.” Carl Haber, a senior scientist with the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, says she “is among the rare individuals who have successfully bridged the worlds of data analysis and instrumentation, and achieved the highest reputation in the process.”

Artuso was recently named a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science for extraordinary achievements in her field and her efforts on behalf of the advancement of science. She is one of the most widely cited faculty members at ���ϲ�����. She holds a laurea in engineering from Politecnico di Milano and a Ph.D. in physics from Northwestern University. She worked as a postdoctoral research associate at Columbia and Cornell Universities before joining the ���ϲ����� faculty in 1991.

Qinru Qiu

Qinru Qiu

Qiu is a world leader in the field of energy-efficient computing, a research area with deep technological and societal impacts that is transforming many fields, including major computation centers, cloud computing, mobile computing, next-generation artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. Her work has fundamentally changed the principles of runtime power management design and enabled a systematic method to search for optimal power management policies. She has contributed groundbreaking research on brain-inspired neuromorphic computing, offering a new computing paradigm that overcomes hardware constraints in traditional GPU design and enables the handling of AI operations in an energy-efficient manner.

Vijay Narayanan, associate dean for innovation at the Penn State College of Engineering, says, “Her groundbreaking research, innovative contributions and unwavering dedication have solidified her reputation as a leader in the realm of computing systems and energy efficiency… she is known for her mentorship, leadership and collaborative spirit, fostering a vibrant and inclusive research community.”

Hai “Helen” Li, Clare Boothe Luce Professor and chair of electrical and computer engineering at Duke University, says, “Dr. Qiu has garnered widespread recognition for her recent pioneering efforts in neuromorphic computing, which have not only advanced the field but also gave inspiration for many researchers who now follow in her footsteps.”

Qiu holds a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from Zhejiang University and a master of science degree in computer engineering and Ph.D. in electrical engineering from the University of Southern California. She joined the ���ϲ����� faculty in 2011.

���ϲ����� City School District students work on an experiment

The initiative, ���ϲ����� Physics Emerging Research Technologies Summer High School Internship Program (SUPER-Tech SHIP), is a partnership between the Department of Physics in the College of Arts and Sciences and the ���ϲ����� City School District (SCSD). , professor and chair of physics, is principal investigator. The co-principal investigator is , professor and associate chair of physics.

“This program will allow us to really increase the impact we can have on both the local community of high school students who might be interested in future STEM careers, and also on our ���ϲ����� undergraduate and graduate students who work alongside them and use the experience to develop as mentors, teachers and scientists,” Soderberg says.

Jennifer Ross

Through SUPER-Tech SHIP, student interns will be exposed to skills and concepts related to quantum information, semiconductors and biotechnology during a six-week program. It’s based on a run by the physics department during the summers of 2022 and 2023. That program, ���ϲ����� Research in Physics (SURPh), engaged SCSD students and recent graduates in six-week, paid internships, during which they worked alongside faculty researchers in physics labs and classrooms. Ross developed it after then-student Ruell Branch ’24 told her that his former classmates at SCSD’s Henninger High School would love to experience hands-on learning in the University’s physics lab.

“I am very invested in exposing people to the positives of physics and science—especially people who have been historically excluded from the field due to cultural stereotypes,” Ross says. “I want people to have opportunities, and this program is a way to give people opportunities to learn about other career paths.”

SUPER-Tech SHIP, like SURPh, seeks to create STEM career pathways for historically excluded groups by involving them in authentic research experiences and providing mentoring and peer networks. The SCSD student body is 48% Black, 15% Latino and 1% Indigenous; 85% of students are economically disadvantaged. To recruit students to the program, physics faculty members will visit SCSD classrooms to promote participation. Applications will be evaluated based on a student’s persistence and grit, rather than science experience.

Mitchell Soderberg

Following an orientation “boot camp,” interns will work in pairs on long-term research projects in the labs. Ross says interns may work on biotechnology in biophysics labs, looking at the mechanical nature of bacteria; particle detection, using semiconductor technology and novel detection schemes; or astrophysics, working to understand how black holes collide and tear apart stars.

Past participants in the SURPh project will return to serve as peer mentors and participate in research with current interns. The interns will also benefit from seminars on science topics, professional development workshops, lunch-and-learns with speakers from the University and the industry and weekly activities to introduce them to different areas of campus. The six weeks will conclude with a poster session and a celebration event attended by the interns’ friends, family members and teachers.

Ross says encouraging the next generation of creative problem-solvers to work in tech is essential in order for the U.S. to remain competitive in the high-tech industry, and that “creativity requires diversity in thought and that often comes from diversity in thinkers.”

She also notes the program’s synergy with the impending arrival of Micron Technology in Central New York. “Micron will need many workers for the fabrication and production factory, and the exposure the students will get will help them to understand the fundamental science and the cutting-edge technologies that microchips support,” she says. “It is the right thing to do to develop our local economy by training the folks in our community who have outstanding potential to make the world a better place through high-tech solutions to the world’s problems. ���ϲ����� is the right place for this development to take place.”

Weems, an internationally renowned artist, will travel to Florence to deliver a public lecture, “Resistance as an Act of Love,” April 17. While there, she will review the work of students in the studio arts program.

Carrie Mae Weems (Photo by Jerry Klineberg)

The students will also attend the conference in Venice April 20 and 21. Weems and Florence faculty member will participate in the conference, which is co-sponsored by ���ϲ�����. Weems will be a panelist for the discussion “Black Realities through Digital Media,” and Nelson will serve on the “Radical Curricula” panel.

Students traveling to the conference include studio arts majors Anastasia Cardona, Sidney Hanson (a dual art history major in the College of Arts and Sciences) and Rumini Nguyen; computer art and animation major Mark Casadevall; and illustration majors Madeleine Herberger, Sarah Mednick, Sarah Skalski and Alissar Youssef.

Black Portraitures, now in its 14^th year, is organized in concert with the . This year’s theme “Shifting Paradigms,” brings together thought leaders in the arts from Africa and the African Diaspora. Founder Deborah Willis says the convening “will explore and expand narratives on memoir and memory studies; migration stories through family and politics; and reimagine ideas about art practices and the exhibition experience, all while considering new research practices.”

“We are seeking a skilled, experienced arts professional who will leverage the museum’s existing strengths to expand its impact on campus and beyond,” Haddix says.

Miranda Traudt, assistant provost for arts and community programming, is chair of the committee.

Members are:

• Kate Holohan, curator of education and academic outreach, ���ϲ����� Art Museum
• Samuel Johnson, assistant professor and director of graduate studies in art history, College of Arts and Sciences
• Juan Juarez, associate professor of studio arts, College of Visual and Performing Arts
• David Seaman, dean of Libraries and University Librarian

The search firm m/Oppenheim will assist the committee in all aspects of recruitment and selection. To , visit the ���ϲ����� Job Board. To apply or nominate individuals for the position, contact Lee Kappelman at 202.803.6674 or leek@moppenheim.com or Oscar Quiros at 415.762.2643 or oscarq@moppenheim.com.

The Success Scholars recognition event was held Feb. 23 in Schine Auditorium

The Success Scholars program recognizes new students who earned a GPA of 3.75 or higher in their first semester, completed a minimum of 15 credits and are in good standing with the University. This year, 1,141 students earned the accolade, which carries a $500 Invest in Success Scholarship per semester, renewable for up to four years if the student completes 15 credits each semester and maintains a 3.25 cumulative GPA.

“The Invest in Success Scholarship acknowledges the diligent efforts of these students during an outstanding initial semester at the University and aims to encourage their ongoing achievements. Their exceptional performance sets a strong foundation for their academic journey at ���ϲ�����,” says Lois Agnew, associate provost for academic programs.

The Success Scholars program was started in 2019 to foster academic excellence and motivate and retain exceptional students. The recognition event also gives students the opportunity to connect with faculty and staff and learn about campus resources like the Renée Crown University Honors Program, ���ϲ����� Abroad, The SOURCE, ’Cuse Works and the Shaw Center for Public and Community Service.

Kal Srinivas, director for retention and student success, says, “We applaud these students for their remarkable achievements during their inaugural year. As we celebrate the triumphs of our Success Scholars, we reaffirm our dedication to nurturing a community of scholars, innovators and leaders who will shape the future with their unwavering commitment to excellence.”

Committee members, who serve two-year, staggered terms, work in an advisory capacity to ensure consistency across the promotion and tenure processes and promote high academic standards. They advise Vice Chancellor, Provost and Chief Academic Officer Gretchen Ritter, providing a wide range of perspectives and serving as Universitywide faculty representatives. Members must be tenured full professors and are not eligible to serve consecutive terms.

Newly elected committee members, whose terms span the 2023-24 and 2024-25 academic years (except where noted), include:

• , professor, College of Law
• , Distinguished Professor, School of Architecture
• , professor of Spanish and chair of languages, literatures and linguistics, College of Arts and Sciences (completing the two-year term of Amanda Eubanks-Winkler following her departure from the University)
• , Distinguished Professor of Information Science, School of Information Studies
• , associate dean for research and professor of inclusive education and disability studies, School of Education
• , Thonis Family Professor of earth and environmental sciences, College of Arts and Sciences
• , professor of political science, Maxwell School

They join the following committee members, who are completing their terms this academic year:

• , Edward Pettinella Professor of Finance, Whitman School
• , associate dean for research and professor of public health, Falk College
• , professor of electrical engineering and computer science, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• , professor of communications and director of mass communications and media studies, Newhouse School
• , professor of communication and rhetorical studies, College of Visual and Performing Arts

Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs Jamie Winders convenes the committee. Winders assigns a subset of seven members to assess cases that meet the criteria for review, including those that have substantial disagreement between layers of recommendation or a strong probability of a negative determination. Members engage in timely consultation with the provost and offer an advisory vote but do not issue a formal report or consider appeals.

Provost Ritter is chair of the committee. Vice President for Research Duncan Brown serves in an ex-officio capacity.

Student-athletes will be able to take a new Maymester course in Los Angeles.

A new study away opportunity for student-athletes will be offered this year as a Maymester course in Los Angeles.

The course, Networking and the Art of the Pitch, was developed by , chair of communication and rhetorical studies (CRS) in the College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA), and , director of VPA’s Los Angeles program, working with , assistant provost for student-athlete academic development in the Department of Athletics.

The course was designed to help break down a common barrier faced by student-athletes who are interested in studying off campus.

“Student-athletes are often constrained by their training and game schedules, which means they do not have many opportunities for study abroad and study away,” Dubrofsky says. “Tommy mentioned that student-athletes would love an opportunity to study away, and that a perfect time for it is Maymester, when they don’t have any games or practices.”

Dubrofsky adds that CRS enrolls many student-athletes, making it the logical program to house the new initiative.

The two-week course will introduce students to the principles of persuasive communication and networking in the sports broadcasting industry. Students will visit studios and other companies and attend games and cultural events. ���ϲ����� alumni who were student-athletes and pursued a variety of career paths will serve as guest lecturers.

The course is open to all CRS student-athletes; those in other majors can take it as an elective. For more information, contact Proulx at 818.314.6722 or asproulx@syr.edu.

The announcement was made today by , associate provost for academic programs.

“Jessamyn Neuhaus is a nationally respected scholar and leader in teaching and learning who will bring an exciting and creative vision to the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence,” Agnew says. “Jessamyn is noted for her skill in building collaborative partnerships, listening and responding carefully, supporting teachers across all ranks and levels of experience and centering diversity, equity and inclusion in all of her work. We are extremely fortunate that Jessamyn has agreed to lead the CTLE, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with her.”

Neuhaus is currently director of the Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE) at SUNY Plattsburgh, where she is also a professor of history.

Jessamyn Neuhaus

“I am elated to be joining the ���ϲ����� CTLE. I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to work with these outstanding faculty, professionals, staff and students, and so excited to become a member of the ���ϲ����� pedagogical community of practice. I very much look forward to building connections with other centers, programs, departments and individuals on campus, and to supporting educators’ innovative, inclusive, and scholarly teaching,” Neuhaus says.

As CTE director at Plattsburgh, Neuhaus developed multiple professional development opportunities and spearheaded several new initiatives. She wrote and implemented a new mission and vision statement, collaborated on programming with other offices—such as the Office of Accessibility Resources and the Technology Enhanced Learning Unit—and created a “Thank a Professor” program and a CTE Student Think Tank. Neuhaus also created a CTE Advisory Board comprised of faculty and staff, the Department Delegate program to increase inclusive teaching and the “CTE Superstar” recognition program for faculty who engaged in five or more hours of center programming per semester.

Neuhaus teaches a wide range of courses on topics such as history methodology, historiography, social studies pedagogy and the history of popular culture in the United States, including courses on youth culture, religion, race, ethnicity and gender.

She has held teaching positions at Denison University, Case Western Reserve University, Oregon State University, Lewis and Clark College, Portland Community College, California State University East Bay and New College of California. She earned both a Ph.D. and a master of arts degree in history from Claremont Graduate University and a bachelor of arts degree in religious studies from the College of Wooster.

At ���ϲ�����, the was launched in 2021 to help incoming students create meaningful and rewarding connections within the University community. Faculty, staff and graduate students participate in FYS as lead instructors, partnering with undergraduate students who serve as peer leaders.

Hundreds of University employees have served as lead instructors since the beginning of the program—but faculty engagement has not been as high as that of staff. This past fall, for example, of 162 lead instructors, only 39 were faculty. FYS leadership is now putting out a call for more faculty members to participate in the program.

“Due to the small class size and discussion-based pedagogy of First Year Seminar, faculty get to know their students and what they are experiencing on campus well. We find that faculty speak very highly of their experience, and they take what they learned from their students into their own disciplines,” says FYS Director .

Lead Instructor: A Pivotal Role

Following the Fall 2023 semester, a FYS 101 course feedback survey drew a 72.13% response rate and over 2,700 responses. Results indicated that students feel lead instructors and peer leaders create a trusting and positive environment and allow for dialogue and connections across differences.

“The impact that lead instructors and peer leaders have on students is what makes FYS unique,” Schantz says, noting that questions about these connections resulted in the highest course feedback averages among all students.

Rochele Royster

The desire to connect with students was one reason , an assistant professor of art therapy at the who recently joined the ���ϲ����� community, decided to participate in FYS.

“Engaging with undergraduate students through meaningful conversations, coursework and assignments has provided invaluable insights. This interaction has allowed me to forge connections that extend beyond the traditional academic realm,” Royster says.

The impact isn’t just felt by faculty.

“The involvement of faculty in a leadership role significantly enhances the student experience by providing exposure to a diverse range of expertise, especially for students whose majors or fields of study may not naturally intersect. The diverse composition of students from across the campus adds richness to this experience,” Royster says. “In my role as an instructor for graduate students in a more specialized field, I found it particularly rewarding to share insights about my field, sparking interest and curiosity among undergraduate students who may not have otherwise encountered the field of art therapy. Beyond academic exposure, the presence of someone on campus not directly involved in grading or academic evaluation can offer valuable non-biased support, creating a more holistic and inclusive learning environment.”

A lead instructor guides discussions for one section of FYS 101 with the support of one or two peer leaders. Sections are capped at 19 first-year or incoming transfer students who come from programs across campus, including . Discussions are intended to create a sense of belonging and help new students navigate diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA), the University and the local community.

Lead instructors receive course materials, including Blackboard Ultra course shells, but they can expand those materials as desired, drawing from their own expertise and experience. In addition to instructing the weekly 80-minute class, lead instructors meet weekly with their peer leader, hold one office hour, grade assignments, input attendance in Orange Success and engage in training with the FYS team. Compensation is $2,500 per section.

In the first six weeks of the course, students engage in dialogue on their own intersectional identities and attend the shared experience activity and the first Home College Experience (HCE), which provides discipline-specific opportunities for students to connect to and build community within their home school or college. (Lead instructors do not hold classes during the HCE weeks.)

Over the subsequent weeks, the students engage in discussions on the foundations of DEIA before attending the second HCE. As the course progresses, students engage around the concepts of privilege, oppression and marginalization, and how these concepts work in context, specifically in the ���ϲ����� community. Finally, students create a personal engagement plan, map personal goals and action items and attend the final HCE week.

Lead instructor training sessions are held during the summer. Participants can choose either a daylong, in-person session or two half-day, virtual sessions. Interested in becoming a lead instructor? . For more information, email firstyear@syr.edu or call 315.443.9035.

Prof Quinn Qiao (third from left) with his research team (from left) Hansheng Li, Madan Bahadur Saud, Muhammad Bilal Faheem Sattar, Poojan Indrajeet Kaswekar and Yuchen Zhang

���ϲ����� is a core partner in the , one of 10 inaugural Regional Innovation Engines created by the National Science Foundation (NSF). The program was Monday by U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer, whose CHIPS and Science Act helped create the NSF Engines.

“Up to $160 million is now on its way to supercharge Upstate New York as a booming battery research hub from ���ϲ����� to Binghamton and beyond,” Sen. Schumer says. “Thanks to my CHIPS and Science Law, Upstate New York will be the beating electric heart of federal efforts to help bring battery innovation and manufacturing back from overseas to spark the growth of this critical industry vital to America’s national and economic security. Whether it is Micron’s historic investment in Central New York or cutting-edge innovation in battery development, my CHIPS and Science Law has been the catalyst to supercharge a transformation in Upstate New York’s economy. Batteries are the building block for the next generation of technology—from cell phones to electric vehicles—and this esteemed award from the National Science Foundation shows that America’s top scientific minds believe Upstate New York universities and workforce are best-in-class for the scientific discovery and innovation to ensure this industry grows in America.”

Led by Binghamton University and its New Energy New York coalition, the Upstate New York Energy Storage Engine will bring $15 million in federal funding over two years and up to $160 million over 10 years to support research and development in battery and energy storage technologies.

The goal, according to NSF, is to establish a “tech-based, industry-driven hub for new battery componentry, safety testing and certification, pilot manufacturing, applications integration, workforce development and energy storage, including through material sourcing and recovery.” It builds on the region’s historical strengths in battery innovation and manufacturing.

“���ϲ����� looks forward to collaborating with New Energy New York to further world-renowned research and development, address next-generation energy storage challenges and inspire the future innovators of this critical industry,” says Vice President for Research .

At ���ϲ�����, the program lead is , professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering in the (ECS) and an expert in solid-state batteries. Qiao is the ���ϲ����� site director for the Center of Solid-State Electric Power Storage, an NSF Industry-University Cooperative Research Center.

“The transportation sector produces the largest share of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. Battery is a key component in electric vehicles, which will significantly reduce the amount of carbon emissions,” Qiao says. “NSF Engines funding will address the entire battery technology value chain and facilitate new battery technologies for a green world by working on the three key areas including use-inspired battery research and development, technology translation and workforce development.”

Professor Quinn Qiao works with his graduate students on testing new solid-state batteries.

Qiao will conduct use-inspired battery research and development and training activities, work with industry partners and collaborate with local economic development agencies and government. Leveraging the work of the Center of Solid-State Electric Power Storage, he will also work with faculty, graduate students and existing entrepreneurship programs for technology transfer and commercialization. Additionally, he will organize workshops and other training opportunities for students from primary to graduate school as well as local industry employees.

“The College of Engineering and Computer Science is dedicated to research that tackles the grand challenges facing our planet today: research that improves the human condition,” says ECS Dean . “The NSF Engines award speaks to the heart of our college’s mission by promoting the development of cleaner, safer and more affordable energy sources. This prestigious award will serve as a vital cornerstone as our college embarks on its 50% growth trajectory in the next five years.”

In addition to Binghamton and ���ϲ�����, core partners include Rochester Institute of Technology, Cornell University, New York Battery and Energy Storage Technology Consortium, Launch NY and Charge CCCV.

Members are:

• , professor of accounting, Whitman J. Whitman School of Management
• , professor and associate chair of psychology, College of Arts and Sciences (A&S)
• , professor of practice, Whitman School
• , professor of public affairs and international affairs, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs
• , professor of magazine, news and digital journalism, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications
• , associate professor of women’s and gender studies and director of undergraduate studies, A&S
• , professor of electrical engineering and computer science, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• , associate teaching professor of writing studies, rhetoric and composition and director of undergraduate studies, A&S
• , associate teaching professor of public relations and graduate program director, Newhouse School
• , professor of public health, David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics
• , associate professor of architecture, School of Architecture
• , teaching professor of nutrition and graduate director, Falk College
• , professor of art education and teaching and leadership, College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) and School of Education
• , professor of anthropology, Maxwell School
• , associate teaching professor and executive director of the Center for Online and Digital Learning, College of Professional Studies
• , associate professor of acting, VPA

“The PFSAC is tasked with providing key feedback and advice on faculty salary appeals and plays an important role in our efforts around salary transparency and equity,” Winders says. Members are jointly selected by Winders and the chair of the University Senate from a pool of nominees brought forward by deans and the senate agenda committee.

A for full-time faculty members seeking to appeal their current salary was recently established by the Office of Academic Affairs.

For each salary appeal, Winders will convene a subcommittee of nine PFSAC members based on disciplinary closeness with the faculty member whose case is under review. The subcommittee will not include faculty members who have had a prior role in a particular faculty salary appeals case or who come from the faculty member’s home department or unit.

The deadline for submitting faculty salary appeals for consideration by the PFSAC in this academic year is Friday, March 1. Appeals must first have been reviewed by the dean of the faculty member’s school or college.

is available online or by contacting the Office of Faculty Affairs at facultyaffairs@syr.edu.

Rumman Chowdhury

Data scientist and artificial intelligence (AI) expert will visit campus on Wednesday, March 6, as the featured speaker for the University’s annual Spring Lecture. Her talk, “Generative AI and the Future of Humanity,” will begin at 7 p.m. in the Schine Student Center’s Goldstein Auditorium.

Chowdhury’s remarks will touch on how AI will impact the lives of students, what policymakers have missed—both positively and negatively—that will significantly affect students and what bearing AI will have on the upcoming U.S. election cycle.

Chowdhury will also participate in a Q&A session with , associate provost for faculty affairs, and , University professor and director of the Autonomous Systems Policy Institute at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.

The event is free and open to the public, but for entry. Additionally, the University’s will be enforced.

Chowdhury is a data scientist and social scientist. She is the CEO of the tech nonprofit Humane Intelligence, which builds a community of practice around evaluations of AI models. She is also the Responsible AI Fellow at Harvard University’s Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society.

Previously, Chowdhury was the director of the Machine Learning, Ethics, Transparency and Accountability (META) team at Twitter (now X), as well as the global lead for responsible AI at Accenture Applied Intelligence. She was named one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People in AI, BBC’s 100 Women, Worthy Magazine’s Top 100, recognized by San Francisco Business Times as one of the Bay Area’s top 40 under 40 and named by Forbes as one of Five Who are Shaping AI.

Chowdhury holds two undergraduate degrees from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a master’s degree in quantitative methods of the social sciences from Columbia University and a doctorate in political science from the University of California San Diego.

Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) and American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation will be available. For more information, or to request additional accommodations, contact Sarah McAndrew at provost@syr.edu.

from the ���ϲ����� Student Box Office.

Under the direction of Vice Chancellor, Provost and Chief Academic Officer Gretchen Ritter, a has been convened to guide the implementation process and ensure accountability in addressing major institutional commitments outlined in the plan. Provost Ritter is the chair of the committee.

In addition, five have been formed to focus on key aspects of the plan: curricular; diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility; research transformation and STEM expansion; enrollment innovation; and veterans. Each thematic group is led by a chair and a lead or co-leads, who also serve on the steering committee.

The steering committee and thematic groups are inclusive of faculty, staff, students and administrators.

“‘Leading With Distinction’ reflects deep engagement from our University community. I am grateful to the individuals who are serving on the steering committee and thematic groups for their continued commitment to the plan and its successful implementation,” Provost Ritter says.

Members of the steering committee and thematic groups are listed on the . The site also includes the full text of “Leading With Distinction,” and will be updated throughout the implementation process.

“Bringing these already strong offices together creates an even stronger operation,” Provost Ritter says. “This is an important step that enhances our ability to produce data-driven decision making that supports students and faculty.”

Jerry Edmonds

OIRA serves all members of the University community. Its services span quantitative data, qualitative research, systems and processes, and helps to advance evidence-based decision making across campus. To that end, a new data request tool, accessible to all, will be available soon on the OIRA website.

The office is comprised of two aligned and integrated departments: Institutional Research and Institutional Effectiveness. Senior Assistant Provost Gerald Edmonds oversees the Institutional Effectiveness department, reporting to Steven Bennett, senior vice president, and Lois Agnew, associate provost for academic programs. Seth Ovadia, formerly the interim director of OIR, has been promoted to assistant vice president and oversees the Institutional Research department, reporting to Bennett.

Seth Ovadia

“While we have outstanding professionals in both institutional research and institutional effectiveness and assessment, they have not been able to leverage each other’s strengths. This combined office aligns the deep relationships and qualitative expertise of institutional effectiveness with the data analytics and practices of institutional research,” Bennett says.

He notes that OIRA provides services to all schools and colleges and many departments across multiple divisions, including budget, student experience, government affairs, legal, compliance, faculty affairs, public safety and others. It supports key activities such as the Middle States accreditation process, school and college accreditation data requests and reporting, faculty development, and curriculum planning and course development, as well as surveys of faculty, staff and students on matters ranging from diversity and inclusion to student wellness to project effectiveness.

Among the delegation visiting campus from the University of Seoul were Yongkul Won, president; Jung Hyeun Kim, dean of the College of Engineering; Kang Su Kim, dean of the College of Urban Science; Ji Hee Song, vice president of international affairs; Nohjeong Park, chief secretary to the president; and Eunhwa Shin, head of international partnerships.

Leaders from the University of Seoul met with ���ϲ����� leaders Jan. 8 to advance and expand academic and cultural collaboration and exchange between the two institutions. (Photo by Jeremy Brinn)

They met with Chancellor Kent Syverud; Vice Chancellor, Provost and Chief Academic Officer Gretchen Ritter; and several other University leaders. The group also toured campus. A group from ���ϲ�����, including Chancellor Syverud, Provost Ritter and Dr. Ruth Chen, professor of practice in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, visited the University of Seoul last March.

University of Seoul President Yongkul Won, left, and Chancellor Kent Syverud sign the memorandum of understanding. (Photo by Jeremy Brinn)

Among the possible outcomes of the burgeoning relationship between the two institutions are the establishment of a University center in Korea as well as the development of new University of Seoul programs that leverage ���ϲ�����’s study abroad and study away facilities. Other potential activities and programs include the exchange of faculty members; joint research activities, including semiconductor research; and participation in joint seminars and workshops.

The ongoing relationship between the two institutions includes an MOU between the University of Seoul and ���ϲ�����’s that was signed last year.

“As we seek to deepen ���ϲ�����’s relationships with partners in Korea, we were pleased to welcome leadership from the University of Seoul to our campus,” Ritter says. “We are interested in collaborating across many disciplines with our Korean counterparts, and I am very excited to explore these possibilities.”

Lynn Brann, Renate Chancellor, Rachel Dubrofsky, Shana Kushner Gadarian and Jing Lei

Five faculty members have been selected to participate in the 2024 Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Academic Leaders Network.

The program is designed to facilitate cross-institutional networking and collaboration among academic leaders while building leadership capacity at participating ACC institutions.

���ϲ����� members of the 2024 cohort are:

• , associate professor and chair of nutrition and food studies in the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics;
• , associate professor and associate dean for diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility in the School of Information Studies;
• , professor and chair of communication and rhetorical studies in the College of Visual and Performing Arts;
• , professor of political science and associate dean for research in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs; and
• , professor and associate dean for academic affairs in the School of Education.

The program will kick off with a virtual event Feb. 27, followed by three on-site sessions at Clemson University (March 20-22), University of Louisville (June 12-14) and North Carolina State University (Nov. 18-20).

The sessions will focus on leadership topics and promote leadership growth, awareness and effectiveness.

Participating faculty members from all member institutions have received foundational leadership training and served at least one year in a relevant leadership role.

“The ACC Academic Leaders Network is a fantastic opportunity for our faculty members to fast-track their leadership development and build important relationships with colleagues across higher education,” says Jamie Winders, associate provost for faculty affairs, who participated in the program in 2018-19.

Gordon Roger Alexander Buchanan Parks, “Pool Hall,” 1950, printed 2017, gelatin silver print, 8 3/8 x 12 in., Kansas State University, Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art, gift of Gordon Parks and the Gordon Parks Foundation, 2017.445. Image courtesy of and copyright by the Gordon Parks Foundation.

The grant of more than $93,000 will support exhibition production costs and programming. It will also fund the hiring of two project-related positions: a project K-12 engagement specialist, who will work closely with the museum educator to engage Central New York students with the exhibition through tours and lesson plans, and a program assistant to aid in the planning and execution of programs both on campus at the museum and in the ���ϲ����� community. Planned events include a screening of one of Gordon Parks’ films at a public park in ���ϲ�����, with local vendors and artists present to contribute to a festive, community-focused atmosphere.

(1912-2006) was a prominent 20th century photographer whose work, spanning the 1940s through the early 2000s, documents American life and culture with a focus on race relations, poverty, civil rights and urban life. “Homeward to the Prairie I Come” is considered by many curators to be his self portrait. The collection’s title comes from the first line of a poem written by Parks, a Kansas native, who was also a composer, author and filmmaker.

“This exhibition leverages the power of art to catalyze dialogue about the wide range of issues that Parks engaged with in his photography, from systemic racism to the labor and ethics of the global fashion industry to ideas of celebrity and home,” says Melissa Yuen, the museum’s interim chief curator.

Gordon Roger Alexander Buchanan Parks, “Mrs. Jefferson,” 1950, printed 2017, gelatin silver print, 16 7/8 x 14 in., Kansas State University, Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art, gift of Gordon Parks and the Gordon Parks Foundation, 2017.373. Image courtesy of and copyright by the Gordon Parks Foundation.

Interim museum director Emily Dittman says the project will allow the museum to experiment with new interpretation strategies and expand other existing interpretation plans. For example, museum staff members are planning to produce large-type labels and a family guide and incorporate audio, she says. Other plans include dedicated spaces for reading and reflection and features like a sound cone so that visitors will “not only be surrounded by his photographs, but also hear his music and read his writings for a multisensory experience of his wide-ranging output,” Dittman says.

Additionally, an open-access digital community catalogue will allow members of the University and local arts communities to record their responses to the work. Through this project, and in partnership with venues, the museum will seek to establish new connections with area photographers and the ���ϲ����� Black Artist Collective, Dittman says.

FYS 101 is a semester-long, one-credit course taken by all first-year and incoming transfer students. The course helps students learn about themselves, the University and the local community through guided conversations, experiential activities and reflective assignments. The goal is to create a more welcoming, inclusive and diverse campus community.

Since the start of the program, more than 400 faculty, staff and students have participated in FYS 101, either as (faculty, staff and graduate students) or (undergraduate students). Lead instructors partner with peer leaders to lead discussions for a single section of FYS 101, which is capped at 19 students.

As part of First Year Seminar 101, peer leaders like Sydney Rothstein (left) partner with lead instructors like Kal Srinivas to facilitate discussions for a single section of FYS 101.

, director for retention and student success, and Sydney Rothstein, a sophomore in the , make up one such pair. They both say they are gratified by the opportunity to help new students share their stories and become comfortable with what can sometimes be uncomfortable conversations.

“Our goal is to create a place for our students to share their thoughts without fear of being incorrect, and they often teach me and each other about how to communicate about uncomfortable topics without fear and with the goal of learning,” Rothstein says. “We all learn something new because of the discussions we have.”

“Students have told me that we have empowered them to be okay with telling their stories in class and also will speak up if they see, observe or witness anything. Engaging across differences and leaning into the more difficult conversations has become more comfortable,” adds Srinivas.

Srinivas says the experience has helped her learn about herself. “Taking the time to understand how my own identity impacts my ability to engage the students in supportive dialogue has been rewarding. FYS 101 has helped me be introspective about the biases that I bring to each conversation.” And while unlearning biases has been a challenge, she says, FYS 101 “has given me the opportunity, platform, tools and voice to speak about issues that I had not been comfortable with before.”

Rothstein says the most rewarding part of the experience is seeing other students succeed. She also enjoys the working relationship she has cultivated with Srinivas. In her first year at ���ϲ�����, Rothstein was herself a student in a FYS 101 section led by Srinivas.

“Kal and I work well together because we can bridge the student vs. teacher experience for our students and encourage them to go outside of their comfort zones. We compare our experiences in front of our class so that students can see examples of civil cross-cultural communication and can contribute to the conversation across their differences as well,” Rothstein says.

Srinivas says the collaboration between lead instructor and peer leader is key.

“As we try to take our ideas and change some of the rhetoric circulating around today in the world, we truly believe that with constant conversations in our classroom, we can make a difference in the young minds of our students and launch them into this world equipped with knowledge, self-confidence and the ability to accept the whole (beauty and ugliness) within us,” adds Srinivas.

Information sessions for students, faculty and staff members interested in being part of FYS 101 will be held ; and ().

For more information, contact firstyear@syr.edu or call 315.443.9035.

“Navigating Civil Dialogue in the Context of the War in the Middle East” will be held Tuesday, Nov. 28, at 10:30 a.m. ET via .

Tarek El-Ariss (left) and Susannah Heschel

The professors—, James Wright Professor and chair of Middle Eastern Studies, and , Eli M. Black Distinguished Professor and chair of Jewish Studies—will share insights and relate details about the ways they have sought to educate and listen to students in the wake of the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks in Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza. The pair recently discussed their approach to these issues in an .

Vice Chancellor, Provost and Chief Academic Officer will offer opening remarks. , Kramer Director of the ���ϲ����� Institute for Democracy, Journalism and Citizenship, will serve as moderator.

The event, sponsored by the Office of Academic Affairs, is open to the University community. A Q&A session will follow the discussion, which can be on Nov. 28 at 10:30 a.m.

Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) will be provided. For more information, contact Sarah McAndrew at provost@syr.edu.

Inside the Skä·noñh Great Law of Peace Center (photo courtesy of the Onondaga Historical Assocation)

���ϲ����� students, faculty and staff will now enjoy free admission to , thanks to a new partnership with the Onondaga Historical Association (OHA).

Skä·noñh Center is a Haudenosaunee cultural center located in the ���ϲ����� suburb of Liverpool at 6680 Onondaga Lake Parkway. The center offers a history of the native peoples of Central New York through the lens of the Onondaga Nation. Permanent and temporary exhibitions cover topics such as Creation, European Contact and The Great Law of Peace, among others.

The goal of the partnership is to “educate students, faculty and staff about the history, culture and knowledge of the Haudenosaunee people and the perspective of the citizens of the Onondaga Nation,” according to Lisa Moore, OHA executive director.

The , or “People of the Longhouse,” represent a confederacy of Six Nations: the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca and Tuscarora. The Onondaga are considered the Central Fire of the Confederacy. The Onondaga Nation Territory is located 10 miles south of the ���ϲ�����.

“Our University is located in an area with a rich, multilayered history, and getting off campus and learning about that history—and how it contributes to the present day—is an important experience not only for our students, but also for our faculty and staff,” says Marcelle Haddix, vice provost for strategic initiatives. “Partnerships that allow us to engage with our community, like this partnership with OHA, are vital to ���ϲ�����’s mission.”

Free Skä·noñh Center admission will be available through June 30, 2024. Funding will cover individual visits as well as attendance at center programs or classes. A valid ���ϲ����� ID is required for admission.

“This award gives our university the opportunity to recognize and celebrate excellence in nearly any member of our teams,” says Jamie Winders, associate provost for faculty affairs. “Our university community is full of people who go above and beyond every day in their scholarship, their work with students and their commitment to making our university and our world a better place. The Chancellor’s Citation for Excellence is a great way to recognize that excellence.”

Faculty, staff and students may be nominated in one of four categories:

• Award for Faculty Excellence and Scholarly Distinction (faculty)
• Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Student Experience and University Initiatives (faculty or staff)
• Award for Excellence in Student Research (students)
• Lifetime Achievement Award (faculty)

More information about the award and the nomination process is . Questions may be directed to Amanda Latreille at 315.443.5413 or arlatrei@syr.edu.

The campus community is invited and encouraged to attend Tuesday’s Academic Strategic Plan Launch Symposium.

A launch symposium will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 26, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in the K.G. Tan Auditorium, National Veterans Resource Center at the Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello Building. In-person attendance is strongly encouraged; a option is available for those not on campus.

will offer welcoming remarks.

will host the event, which is the first of what will become an annual symposium allowing the campus community to examine and refine the plan. Provost Ritter will discuss the process of developing the plan and next steps for implementation.

, David B. Falk Endowed Professor of Sport Management in the , will discuss his experience leading a study abroad program at Mount Everest.

, vice president for research, will moderate a panel discussion on the expansion of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) at ���ϲ�����. Panelists include:

• , Laura J. and L. Douglas Meredith Professor of Teaching Excellence and chair of the Department of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering in the ;
• Miguel Guzman, a senior biotechnology major and entrepreneurship and emerging enterprises minor in the and the ; and
• Joe Nehme, senior manager of external affairs, Micron Technology.

Sophie Creager-Roberts, a senior dual major in environment, sustainability and policy and history and minor in atrocity studies in the , will share her experience and the ways it impacted her education.

, associate provost for strategic initiatives, will discuss engaged citizenship and public impact in conversation with , Kramer Director of the ���ϲ����� Institute for Democracy, Journalism and Citizenship, and vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation, Barnes Professor for Entrepreneurship, executive director of the and executive dean of the Whitman School.

, director of ���ϲ�����’s Los Angeles Academic Semester Program, will speak about the impact of study away opportunities for students.

During the final portion of the program, Provost Ritter, together with Haddix, Brown and , associate provost for faculty affairs, will answer audience questions.

Communication Access Real-time Translation (CART) and American Sign Language (ASL) translation will be provided. For more information, contact Pamela Young at pyoung01@syr.edu.

At the Sept. 26, Guzman will take part in a panel discussion about the expansion of STEM at ���ϲ�����. ���ϲ����� sat down with him to discuss his research, his future plans and how ���ϲ����� nurtured his interest in the STEM fields.

Sophie Creager-Roberts ’24 is a senior double major in and in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs with a minor in in the School of Education. During the Fall 2021 semester, she studied abroad in Poland through ���ϲ�����’s program. Last summer, she interned in Belgium.

Creager-Roberts will discuss her time abroad at the Sept. 26. ���ϲ����� sat down with her to get her thoughts on the ways an expanded worldview elevates the undergraduate experience.

Rayan Mohamed

The program aims to elevate photography and digital media as pathways for undergraduate students to pursue their careers and make a difference in their communities. Fellows receive a $2,000 tuition scholarship as well as mentorship for a community project. Mohamed plans to make an ethnographic film focusing on the mental health of first-generation refugee youth.

Mohamed was born in Somalia and spent several years in an Ethiopian refugee camp before moving to ���ϲ����� as a grade-schooler in 2014. “I always wanted to start a discussion about the mental health of refugees,” she says. “This project is important to me because the topic of mental health in some cultures is found to be taboo, shame and embarrassing.”

The project will entail a series of interviews, workshops and creative art making, according to Mohamed. Participants will be asked questions such as, “What does it mean to be a first-generation refugee?” and “How do you heal from trauma?”

“I would love to give total control of creativity to these students and how they want to tell their stories to the world,” Mohamed says.

Before arriving on campus, Mohamed attended ���ϲ����� City Schools and, as a junior at Henninger High School, , a storytelling and leadership initiative that provides resettled refugee youth in ���ϲ����� with the tools and resources to share their histories and experiences through artistic expression.

The consortium brings together people from a range of disciplines and industries “to imagine, study and enact a more just and liberatory ‘America’ and world.” ���ϲ����� is a member institution.

In addition to working on her project, Mohamed will attend Imagining America’s —held this year in Providence, Rhode Island—and participate in regular, virtual learning exchanges. She will also benefit from connection to the consortium’s national network of scholars, artists and community organizers.

The Axios-Generation Lab-���ϲ����� of computer science professors found that 37% favored a new “Department of AI” to regulate AI, while 22% thought a global organization or treaty was the best option. These findings compared with 16% of respondents who said Congress was the best entity to regulate AI, while 4% said the responsibility falls on the White House and 3% mentioned the private sector. About 14% of respondents said AI cannot be regulated, while 3% said AI should not be regulated.

The survey results were released Tuesday.

A new survey co-sponsored by two ���ϲ����� institutes finds that a majority of computer science experts at top U.S research universities want to see the creation of a new federal agency or global organization to govern artificial intelligence.

Generation Lab conducted the survey for Axios in partnership with ���ϲ�����’s (IDJC) and the (ASPI).

Margaret Talev, Kramer Director of the IDJC, says the survey offered a different and important perspective on the expanding conversation about the uses and proliferation of AI.

“While larger general-population surveys can provide broad insights into most Americans’ hopes, fears and understanding of AI, this new survey offers an in-depth look at how computer science professors with significant subject-matter expertise are thinking about the same issues,” says Talev, who is also an Axios senior contributor.

“This survey provides valuable information about the current state of AI because it is based on the views of those who are closely involved in the development of AI techniques and systems. We are glad to be part of this effort, which also informs our own initiatives, including our plan to launch the Academic Alliance on AI Policy next month in Washington, D.C.,” adds Hamid Ekbia, director of the ASPI.

IDJC is a joint initiative of and the , while ASPI is a Universitywide initiative housed in the Maxwell School that focuses on the intersection of technology, society and policy.

Some other key survey findings:

• About 62% predict AI will increase racial, gender and economic disparities.
• Respondents also predict that customer service; art, design or content creation; and administrative and support services are most likely to experience job losses due to AI over the next five years.
• No single person is highly trusted to deal with AI issues; President Biden ranked higher than individual tech CEOs.

The Axios-Generation Lab-���ϲ����� AI Experts Survey was conducted July 15 – Aug. 6. Results are based on interviews with 213 computer science professors from 65 of the top 100 computer science programs in America, as defined by . Experts from ���ϲ����� were among those surveyed.

A listing of the participating institutions and additional details about the methodology may be found on the .

For more information, contact Margaret Talev at metalev@syr.edu.

The Direct Transfer Admission Program Agreement guarantees eligible OCC graduates admission to academic programs in ���ϲ�����’s , , and , where they can complete a bachelor’s degree in four semesters.

“���ϲ����� is proud to partner with Onondaga Community College to offer a new pathway to prepare students for emerging careers,” says ���ϲ����� Chancellor Kent Syverud. “To fully take advantage of the economic opportunities developing in the region, we need a workforce with the training and knowledge to meet the needs of emerging industries. This new agreement makes it easier for learners from OCC to benefit from the outstanding educational opportunities available at ���ϲ����� while building a ready workforce for the region’s employers.”

“We’re honored to partner with ���ϲ����� on this Direct Transfer Admission Program,” says OCC President Warren Hilton. “As the community’s college, we are committed to giving students access to higher education pathways, and ultimately the opportunity to enjoy rewarding careers at places like Micron’s new chip fabrication facility right here in Onondaga County. This agreement gives our students a clearly defined pathway to one of the top institutions in the country, and we are proud to collaborate with ���ϲ����� for the betterment of our students and the Central New York region.”

���ϲ����� Vice Chancellor, Provost and Chief Academic Officer Gretchen Ritter says, “This partnership reflects the University’s commitment not only to expanding academic excellence in STEM and other areas, but also to growing and strengthening our local community and embracing economic opportunities for our students and alumni.”

Adds OCC Provost and Senior Vice President Anastasia Urtz: “We appreciate the tireless work of our innovative faculty who have built more than 20 new programs in health and human services, STEM and advanced technologies, and the liberal arts. Our programs respond to local economic needs and prepare people for careers across New York state and around the world.”

To be eligible for the program, OCC graduates must have earned a minimum GPA of 3.0. Those with GPAs of 3.25 or higher will be awarded a merit-based scholarship of at least $10,000.

Both OCC and ���ϲ����� will establish advising guidelines and course transfer recommendations to support students in the program and ensure their ability to complete their degrees in a timely manner. The institutions will also work together to recruit students to the program from the ���ϲ����� City School District and other regional schools.

While participants in the program may study a range of disciplines, an emphasis on pathways to STEM-related majors will serve to prepare students for careers at high-tech companies, including Micron Technology, which plans to build a $100 billion semiconductor fabrication facility in the ���ϲ����� suburb of Clay. In this way, the program dovetails with OCC’s new associate degree in and related , as well as existing degrees in engineering science and liberal arts: mathematics and science.

Joey Gawrysiak

“Joey has the knowledge, the vision and the entrepreneurial approach needed to successfully launch the University’s robust esports degree program,” says Chancellor . “I am thrilled to have one of the pioneers in academic esports programming leading our efforts. I look forward to welcoming him to the Orange community.”

Says Vice Chancellor, Provost and Chief Academic Officer , “As we invest in and grow the University’s sport-related academic disciplines and leverage this key area of distinction, Joey’s guidance and leadership will be crucial to our success. I look forward to working with him and the Falk and Newhouse deans to launch the new esports degree and expand our esports infrastructure.”

The esports communications and management degree, offered jointly by the and the , will launch this fall. Among the first of its kind at a major university, the program, taps into the rapidly growing, multibillion-dollar esports industry and builds upon work already happening on campus.

, special advisor to the chancellor on esports and digital transformation, led the effort to bring an esports major to ���ϲ�����. “This is an exciting time for ���ϲ�����,” he says. “Joey will grow recreational and competitive esports on campus and will also help implement and utilize the University’s new sports facilities.”

Gawrysiak will report to incoming Falk Dean Jeremy S. Jordan and Newhouse Dean .

“It is with great enthusiasm that we welcome Joey Gawrysiak as executive director of esports,” says Falk Dean , who announced the conclusion of her tenure earlier this year. “He is well-equipped to guide the Falk College and our partners at the Newhouse School as we connect our respective disciplines around esports. In Falk, esports will benefit from our thriving sport management and sport analytics programs, and interdisciplinary connections with highly relevant Falk College scholarship in public health, social justice and equity. Under Joey’s leadership, I am confident we will maximize opportunities in Falk and Newhouse to position ���ϲ����� as a national trailblazer in esports.”

“Newhouse has been a leader in this space as one of the first schools in the country to offer courses in esports and communications,” Lodato says. “We’re very excited to welcome Joey to the ���ϲ����� family and look forward to building on our foundation to create an academic program with the Falk College that prepares students to succeed in this burgeoning field.”

Gawrysiak joined Shenandoah in 2012 and is a faculty member in sport management and esports. As director of esports, he has oversight of all aspects of the program, developing curriculum and experiential learning while securing more than $100,000 in partnerships.

Gawrysiak earned a Ph.D. in sport management and policy, an M.Ed. in physical education and sport studies, and a B.S.Ed. in sport studies, all from the University of Georgia. His research focuses on esports; video games and sport; sports and socialization; international sport culture; and sport and technology. He has co-authored multiple peer-reviewed articles on topics related to esports. He sits on the board of directors of the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE) and has been recognized with numerous awards, including the 2021 NACE Director of the Year and 2022 NACE Hero Award.

“���ϲ����� has shown remarkable commitment to embracing emerging fields and providing its students with cutting-edge educational opportunities,” Gawrysiak says. “I am thrilled to join this esteemed institution and lead its esports program. My goal is to create a dynamic and inclusive environment that promotes academic excellence, fosters competitive success and cultivates a strong sense of community among our esports students.”

The search committee was co-chaired by , professor of practice and chair of sport management in the Falk College, and , professor of practice and director of the Newhouse School’s Sports Media Center.

Jeremy Jordan

Jeremy S. Jordan, a seasoned academic with extensive experience in sport and recreation management, has been named the next dean of the . The announcement was made today by Vice Chancellor, Provost and Chief Academic Officer . His appointment, effective Sept. 1, was approved by the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees.

“Jeremy Jordan brings a combination of academic leadership experience and hands-on industry knowledge that will be a boon to Falk College and its professional programs—from food studies to marriage and family therapy to social work,” Provost Ritter says. “I look forward to working with him, especially on important initiatives like the launch of the esports degree and the expansion of the sport management program.”

Jordan is currently the vice provost for faculty affairs at Temple University in Philadelphia, where he is also a professor and Ed Rosen Senior Research Fellow in the School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management’s Department of Sport and Recreation Management. He is the NCAA Faculty Athletics Representative, and has also been the director of the Sport Industry Research Center and the Millard E. Gladfelter Research Fellow.

Jordan’s research focuses on the impact of sport participation and events on individuals and communities, as well as the social, environmental and financial impact of sport events and organizations. He has authored numerous peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, and has participated in more than 65 funded research projects.

Before joining Temple in 2008, Jordan held faculty positions at the University of Miami, Mississippi State University and the University of Memphis, and served as the athletic director at La Sierra University in Riverside, California. He earned a Ph.D. in sport management from The Ohio State University, a master’s degree in exercise and sport science from the University of Utah and a bachelor’s degree in physical education from La Sierra.

“I am honored to have been selected as the next dean of Falk College and look forward to becoming a member of the ���ϲ����� community,” Jordan says. “The college is known for its academic excellence, impactful research and commitment to community engagement. I admire the culture and rigor of the college and ���ϲ�����, and I look forward to contributing to the success of both with the support of the students, staff, faculty and alumni.”

The dean search committee, convened by Provost Ritter in February, was co-chaired by Falk College faculty members , professor of sport management and faculty athletic representative, and , associate dean of research and professor of public health.

“I am grateful to the committee members for their hard work in recruiting a talented leader like Jeremy Jordan to join our campus community,” Provost Ritter says.

Jordan succeeds , who is concluding her tenure as dean of the Falk College, a position she has held since 2005. She has served 45 years at ���ϲ�����. “Diane has truly left her mark on Falk College, shepherding it from its early days and overseeing multiple successful initiatives,” Provost Ritter says. “I thank her for her service and her incredible contributions to the college and the University.”

Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden confers the 2023 Library of Congress Prize for American Fiction to George Saunders at the National Book Festival on Aug. 12. (Photo by Shawn Miller/Library of Congress)

���ϲ����� professor and acclaimed fiction writer received the 2023 at the Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden presented Saunders with the award during the ceremony. In a subsequent conversation with Clay Smith, the festival’s literary director, Saunders discussed his writing career and his award-winning and bestselling novel “Lincoln in the Bardo.” (Updated Aug. 16, 2022)

The annual prize is one of the most distinguished awards in fiction, recognizing a writer “whose body of work is distinguished not only for its mastery of the art but also for its originality of thought and imagination,” according to an announcement from the Library of Congress.

Saunders, a professor of English in the , is the No. 1 New York Times bestselling author of 12 books, including:

• “Lincoln in the Bardo,” which won the 2017 Man Booker Prize
• “A Swim in a Pond in the Rain”
• “Congratulations, by the way”
• “Tenth of December,” a finalist for the National Book Award and winner of the inaugural Folio Award
• “The Braindead Megaphone”
• “CivilWarLand in Bad Decline”
• “Liberation Day,” a collection of short stories chosen as one of President Barack Obama’s favorite books of 2022

George Saunders

“We are delighted to see Professor Saunders recognized by our nation’s oldest federal cultural institution,” says , dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “This well-deserved honor shines a spotlight on the fantastic talent and teaching offered by ���ϲ�����’s English department and its creative writing program. We are so proud of George—and so pleased to offer our students the invaluable opportunity to hone the craft alongside such luminaries.”

In 2013, Saunders was named one of the world’s 100 most influential people by Time magazine. He is the recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship and a Guggenheim Fellowship. He has taught in the creative writing program since 1996.

“I look forward to… working with the Library [of Congress] to further the art of fiction; an art form that can do so much to bring us together and deepen our empathy for, and interest in, one another,” Saunders said when the prize was announced.

Judy Woodruff

Woodruff served as anchor and managing editor of “PBS NewsHour” for 11 years before becoming a senior correspondent. During 2023 and 2024, she is undertaking a reporting project, “America at a Crossroads,” to better understand the country’s political divide. She has covered politics and other news for more than four decades at CNN, NBC and PBS.

Woodruff is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Peabody Journalistic Integrity Award, the Poynter Medal, an Emmy for Lifetime Achievement and the Radcliffe Medal. She and late journalist Gwen Ifill were together awarded Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism after Woodruff and Ifill were named co-anchors of the “PBS NewsHour” in 2013, marking the first time an American national news broadcast was co-anchored by two women.

For 12 years, Woodruff served as anchor and senior correspondent for CNN, where her duties included anchoring the weekday program “Inside Politics.” At PBS, she was the chief Washington correspondent for “The MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour,” anchored PBS’ award-winning weekly documentary series “Frontline with Judy Woodruff,” was the principal reporter for the PBS documentary “Nancy Reagan: The Role of a Lifetime” and completed “Generation Next: Speak Up. Be Heard,” an extensive project on the views of young Americans.

At NBC News, Woodruff served as White House correspondent and as “Today” show chief Washington correspondent.

Woodruff is a founding co-chair of the International Women’s Media Foundation and serves on the boards of trustees of the Freedom Forum and The Duke Endowment. She is a former trustee of the Carnegie Corporation of New York and the Urban Institute, and a member of the Knight Foundation Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics. She is the author of “This is Judy Woodruff at the White House.”

The Dressler Award is given to individuals or organizations that have made distinct, consistent and unique contributions to the public’s understanding of the media.

About the Mirror Awards

The are the most important awards for recognizing excellence in media industry reporting. Established by the Newhouse School in 2006, the awards honor the reporters, editors and teams of writers who hold a mirror to their own industry for the public’s benefit. This year’s finalists will be announced next month.

The 2023 Mirror Awards ceremony will be held Monday, June 12, in New York City. Additional details will be announced soon.

For information about sponsorship opportunities, contact Carol Satchwell at cmsatchw@syr.edu. For information about the event, email mirrorawards@syr.edu.

Today’s announcement follows a comprehensive decanal review that took into account the feedback of key stakeholders, including School of Architecture faculty, staff and Advisory Board members.

“With Michael’s deanship has come a new era of success for the School of Architecture,” Ritter says. “He has extended the school’s reach and enhanced its already strong academic program. I know the school will continue to flourish with him at the helm and I look forward to our continued work together.”

Michael A. Speaks, dean of the School of Architecture.

Speaks was named dean of the School of Architecture in 2013. His accomplishments since then include the establishment of the Harry der Boghosian Endowed Fellowship Program for emerging professors in architecture, the Patrick Ahearn Workshops, the Design | Energy | Futures post-professional M.S. degree program and the Hal and Nina Fetner Architecture + Real Estate Summer Internship Program.

In addition, Speaks established the China studies program, including studios in Beijing and Shanghai, the Three Cities Asia Summer Studio Program, a research partnership with the Institute Building Research in Shenzhen and a high school recruiting initiative. He also established a faculty and student exchange, research and project collaboration with Ewha Womans University, Yonsei University, Korea University, University of Seoul, Yeungnam University and Pusan National University in South Korea; and a scholarship program for overseas study in arts and design, organized by the Taiwan Ministry of Education.

He was selected three times as a Design Intelligence Most Admired Educator and served as an advisory group member for the ���ϲ����� Campus Framework and Campus Framework Refresh.

“It has been an honor and privilege to lead this great school of architecture over the last several years and I look forward to continuing as we prepare, this fall, to celebrate our 150th anniversary,” Speaks says. “With our incomparable students, faculty and staff to thank, the ���ϲ����� School of Architecture has become the best single-discipline, global school of architecture in the U.S. and in the world.”

Previously, he was dean of the University of Kentucky College of Design, and director of the graduate program and founding director of the metropolitan research and design postgraduate program at the Southern California Institute of Architecture in Los Angeles. He earned a Ph.D. at Duke University.