Reduced Health Plan Contributions

Faculty and staff are encouraged to carefully review the expanded eligibility guidelines for 2025 that outline how to apply for reduced payroll contributions for health coverage. Depending on an employee’s household income and size, reduced health plan contributions are available through Schedule B.��The application deadline is Dec. 6.��For more information and a copy of the application,��.

Dependent Care Subsidy

As part of ongoing efforts to support the changing needs of families, the University continues to offer subsidies to faculty and staff to assist with dependent care.��The application deadline is Dec. 6.��For more information and a copy of the application,��.

Supplemental Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability Insurance

Faculty and staff who chose to newly elect or increase supplemental life insurance during this year’s annual Open Enrollment period must complete the����and return it to MetLife. Individuals who newly elected long term disability insurance through The Standard must complete a����and return it to The Standard.

Questions? Visit the����or contact HR Shared Services at��hrservice@syr.edu��or 315.443.4042.

The celebration seeks to honor the life and legacy of individuals who exemplify the spirit, life and teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. yet have not received widespread recognition or been previously honored for their efforts. These individuals represent a direct expression of ���ϲ�����’s commitment to fostering and supporting a university welcoming to all.

If you know an individual who should be honored and celebrated, please consider for recognition at the 2025 celebration. Nominations must be a minimum of 250 words and a maximum��of 500 words. The nomination should be a written explanation of how the nominee embodies Dr. King’s legacy, and what makes them an Unsung Hero. ��included ���ϲ����� community members, and ���ϲ����� faculty, students and staff.

Nominations may be made in any of the following categories:

• youth/teen from Onondaga, Madison, Oswego, Cayuga or Cortland counties
• adult from Onondaga, Madison, Oswego, Cayuga or Cortland counties
• currently enrolled student at ���ϲ����� or SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF)
• faculty or staff from ���ϲ����� or SUNY ESF

Nominations are due by Wednesday, Dec. 18, at 11:59 p.m. EST.

The 2025 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration will take place on Jan. 26, 2025, in the JMA Wireless Dome. Further information will be announced in the coming weeks at .

Questions regarding the Unsung Hero Awards can be directed to Hendricks Chapel at chapel@syr.edu.

“This rise in the rankings is proof positive of the Whitman School’s continuing commitment to providing innovative programs in entrepreneurship at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. Our success has been supported by the entrepreneurial spirit that runs throughout the entire university,” says Maria Minniti, Bantle Chair of Entrepreneurship and Public Policy and chair of the Department of Entrepreneurship and Emerging Enterprises (EEE). “This upward movement in the rankings is the result of the hard work and commitment of the Whitman School’s leadership, faculty and students, and we are proud to be acknowledged for this level of success.”

The graduate programs were also ranked at No. 24 this year. “These rankings are a quantifiable reflection of the quality of our program and our commitment to giving our students experiences that continue to spark their entrepreneurial spirit,” says John Torrens, deputy department chair and professor of entrepreneurial practice. “Our faculty are truly committed to helping our students bring their ideas to life through mentoring, coaching and sharing their own professional experiences in this space. In addition, students have many opportunities to obtain funding through our various competitions, like the Orange Tank business pitch competition and our Panasci Business Plan Competition, many of which are supported by generous alumni who appreciate the work we do at the Whitman School.”

The rankings are based on data collection that takes into account 40 points about schools’ entrepreneurship programs, faculties, students and alumni. The Princeton Review conducted the data collection in summer 2024 with administrators at nearly 300 schools.

“Since we debuted these rankings nearly two decades ago, the number of colleges and universities offering entrepreneurship courses has grown tremendously,” says , The Princeton Review’s editor-in-chief. “We highly recommend the schools that made our lists for 2025. Their faculties are outstanding. Their programs have robust experiential components. Their students have access to extraordinary mentors as well as networking contacts that will serve them well into their careers.”

For more information on Whitman’s undergraduate entrepreneurship major visit: or for the graduate program visit:

More information is available on the����to help answer any questions. If faculty and staff have any additional questions about Open Enrollment or benefits, please contact��HR Shared Services��at 315.443.4042.

Imam Amir Durić (left) and Rabbi Ethan Bair, chaplains at Hendricks Chapel, received national recognition as Interfaith America Innovation Fellows.

Imam Amir Durić and Rabbi Ethan Bair, chaplains at , model how friendship and understanding can transcend and transform adversity. Through the Jewish-Muslim Dialogue Fellowship they co-founded, Bair and Durić have helped the ���ϲ����� campus community unlock the potential of religious and spiritual diversity, and their shared efforts are receiving national recognition.

Rabbi Ethan Bair

Each year, , founded by and known as one of the nation’s premier interfaith organizations, chooses exemplary leaders as Interfaith Innovation Fellows. Out of over 200 applicants across the country, both Durić and Bair were chosen. The Fellowship awards grant funding to leaders with an inspirational vision for social change. Durić and Bair will network with cohort members, learn from one another’s projects, participate in a retreat geared toward professional development and work with mentors at Interfaith America. .

After Bair and Durić first met at a Hendricks Chapel retreat in 2022, they perceived potential not just for their friendship but for the opportunities to continue the interfaith work they both valued.

“Interfaith work has always been a priority for me,” says Bair. “Amir and I really only knew each other for a year before we created this Jewish-Muslim Dialogue Fellowship and applied for our first grant from Interfaith America. I’ve been an ordained rabbi for 15 years and have dedicated myself to interfaith work in every position I’ve held. What’s new is being able to work with an ordained Muslim imam who shares so many of my values. That is a blessing.”

Imam Amir Durić

Durić completed his undergraduate degree in Sarajevo, Bosnia, which is known for its religious and spiritual diversity. In one part of the city, you can locate a mosque, synagogue and cathedral all on one city block. However, when he attended the Hartford International University for Religion and Peace seminary in Connecticut, he observed interfaith dialogue in practice.

Durić remembered visiting campus when two friends (one Jewish, one Muslim) came to speak about a summer project. Their organization in California visited the Middle East to bring together Jews, Muslims and Christians. “I was like, wow, this is really powerful. They are investing time, and resources just to invite people to have a meal together,” Durić says. “So when Rabbi Bair joined ���ϲ�����, I felt we could team up, and that was really a blessing.”

A Friend for Virtue and Creating Connections for Students

According to Bair, in Jewish tradition there are teachings about finding a mentor, acquiring a friend and giving everyone the benefit of the doubt. “There are a few different versions of friends, and the top level is a friend for virtue. I feel like Amir and I are friends for virtue,” Bair says. “Our friendship helps us become better people. We talk about our values, our vision for our own chaplaincies and also for what we can do together.”

Bair and Durić’s friendship extends into their work as chaplains in various ways. As chaplains serving minority religious groups, the pair have a unique opportunity to create more understanding between their respective communities. Bair notes that their partnership and fellowship are focused on creating intentional space between two communities that rarely meet each other. “There are so many unique similarities between Jews and Muslims, such as dietary rules and holidays that follow the lunar calendar,” Bair says. “And, of course, there are differences as well.”

What’s Next?

The imam and rabbi have already implemented the Jewish-Muslim Dialogue Fellowship, which has created support and understanding during an undoubtedly challenging year for their students. Now, the two are seeking to create a Living Learning Community (LLC) where Muslim and Jewish students can live communally in a residence hall. They hope the LLC will build the foundation for shared communities, lasting friendships, understanding and imagination.

Durić and Bair will travel to Chicago for a retreat with the other Interfaith Innovation Fellows in mid-November. In addition to the work they’ll be doing with their Interfaith America cohort, they’ll be working on their second round of Jewish-Muslim Dialogue Fellowships and creating opportunities for their students to build relationships and support their communities through kindness and service.

Both Bair and Durić are grateful for their experience at Hendricks Chapel and the support they receive from both the Chapel and ���ϲ�����. “When we enter spaces that are not Hendricks Chapel, I recognize how challenging it is what we’re doing. And yet, I am very comfortable here and I feel so much support for the kind of work and relationships that we build. The entire team of Hendricks is supportive and it’s an example of helping across the boundaries of religion, of worldviews, of race, of whatever we can think of,” Durić says. “Hendricks Chapel is an example of how it looks when we elevate ourselves and go beyond those boundaries that often limit what we can do.”

For employees wishing to advance their careers in higher education administration, using the to pay for a School of Education is a great choice for professional development.

This program enables students to develop their skills in student affairs, while offering a broad understanding of higher education systems, policies, professional organizations, faculty and staff culture, and student learning and development. Typically, the program takes two years of full-time study, or it can be completed part time while the student continues to work on campus.

Shelby Bergen

But what is it like to both work full time and take this degree program? We interviewed three of the program’s recent graduates to ask how they juggled work and study, why they decided the program was right for them, and how it has benefited their higher education careers.

Shelby Bergen G’23 signed up for the program while an administrative assistant in the College of Law; currently, she is a career advisor in the College of Engineering and Computer Science.

Like Bergen, Carly Signor ’14, G’21 was employed by the College of Law when she entered the master’s program, as program coordinator and communications manager of the New York State Science and Technology Law Center. Now working in the Office of Admissions, Signor recently was promoted to associate director of admissions.

Sarah Tomlinson G’23 began her University career as a temporary office coordinator before moving to the College of Professional Studies’ English Language Institute. After graduating from the Higher Education program, she joined ���ϲ����� Abroad in March, where she now works as senior international program advisor.

1. Why did you decide to take the Higher/Postsecondary Education master’s degree program, using your Remitted Tuition benefit?

Shelby Bergen (SB): I like to think I center equity and justice in what I do, so the Higher Education program seemed to be a culmination of all the things I’m passionate about.

Carly Signor

Carly Signor (CS): I have such a passion for learning and believe in the value of continued education. The opportunity to pursue this program for free was too good to pass up, especially as I was changing careers and seeking to gain knowledge that would help me succeed in the field of higher education.

Sarah Tomlinson (ST): I started my career at ���ϲ����� in 2018 and knew within a few months that higher education was the career I wanted. In my previous role at the College of Professional Studies, they emphasized the importance of continuing your education and encouraged employees to seek out opportunities through the Remitted Tuition benefit. When I found the Higher Education program, I knew it would be a perfect to continue to grow my knowledge and passion for the field.

2. How were you able to fit the degree’s coursework and practicum around your full-time work?

SB: If you want complete transparency, it was a bit stressful! Luckily, I had supervisors that valued professional development and this program valued the “non-traditional” student experience by offering flexible class arrangements.

CS: It was definitely challenging, I’m not going to lie, but a little hard work goes a long way. I dedicated time in the evenings and weekends to complete homework. My practicum—you only have to do one as a full-time staff member—was in Athletics, which provided many opportunities for night and weekend hours. My practicum supervisor—Michelle Giordano ’11, G’15, who is also a Higher Education master’s alumna—was incredibly understanding and supportive of the balance I needed to maintain.

Sarah Tomlinson

ST: Having a full-time job while being in a master’s program is not easy; however, the program really allows for flexibility for part-time students. Most courses are once a week, starting at 4 p.m. The professors work with students to ensure that their schedules meet their needs. Plus, my practicum was a perfect fit for me. At the Stevenson Educational Center for Student Athletes, I met with students outside work hours, and my supervisor allowed me to work on projects during weekends or evenings. Overall, the Higher Education program helps its students every step of the way.

3. What aspect of the program stood out to you?

SB: It sounds nerdy but the literature and classroom structure! We collaborated on assignments and projects a lot, so it was cool to unpack topics in so many unique ways.

CS: The practicum and other hands-on experience, plus research opportunities, mentorship and campus connections.

ST: The ease of being able to build my schedule around my full-time job. Professor worked with me to ensure that my course plan fit well with my job, including my practicum. Also, the program was very applicable to my career. Being able to take what I learned the night before and apply it next day to my responsibilities demonstrates the tangible knowledge that I acquired. I use what I learned every day in my job.

4. How did receiving the Higher Education master’s degree benefit your career?

SB: I started as a part-time temp and didn’t really know what path to take professionally. However, this degree not only built my community but afforded me many professional opportunities, including my current role!

CS: In a very literal sense, this degree program connected me with my current supervisor—I received a job offer on the very day I graduated. The campus connections I made were invaluable. Additionally, it turned me into a self-proclaimed “data nerd,” and I apply the research skills I learned in my everyday work, enabling me multiple opportunities to present at national conferences.

ST: I use the theories, models and presentation skills gained from the program in my work. Having an understanding of how universities work and run is deeply beneficial when developing new goals, procedures and processes. Also, the network I built through the program has been great.

5. What advice would you have for a University colleague thinking of taking the Higher Education master’s while continuing to work?

SB: If you’ve been out of the educational game for a while it can feel intimidating to go back. But know your life experiences are what make you valuable in a program like this. You are worthy of the spaces you’re in.

CS: Just do it! The time flies by, and the benefits are so worth it. As a University employee, you’ll find a supportive community and a sense of camaraderie with many Higher Education alums ready to help you along the way—including myself. Take advantage of this opportunity to advance your education and career!

ST: Do it! It may seem daunting at first to be able to juggle a job and a degree program, but it is truly built with part-time students in mind. It is a very supportive community and provides foundational knowledge about higher education. Time management is definitely important though!

According to the organization, the HEIBO Member of the Year exemplifies the HEIBO mission: Being committed to developing and advancing the knowledge, skills, best practices and network of professionals who provide financial, operational and business leadership for global higher education.

Shukhrat Aminov

Aminov joined the HEIBO Steering Committee this year.

“His (Shukhrat’s) insights, experience and leadership quickly proved invaluable to a group focused on shaping HEIBO’s vision for the next 5 to 10 years. As the incoming co-chair of the HEIBO Steering Committee, we are excited about the direction he will help guide this volunteer-led organization,” says��Missy Peterson, director of finance and operations for global programs and strategy alliance at the University of Minnesota.

In his role at ���ϲ�����, Aminov oversees all non-academic operational activities for ���ϲ����� Abroad and its centers abroad. He supports centers in the following areas: budget/finance; human resources; IT/data; legal; facilities; agreements and other operational areas. Additionally, Aminov is a member of the ���ϲ����� Abroad Enrollment Management Committee and the ���ϲ����� Abroad leadership team.

Aminov possessed more than a decade of operations management experience prior to his time with ���ϲ����� Abroad, including��budget management, administration, strategy development and implementation, project management and asset management. He has also completed the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification.

Prior to joining ���ϲ����� Abroad, Aminov served as the regional chief operating officer for the Western and Central New York regions of the American Red Cross, where he oversaw all administrative and business functions for a team that provided humanitarian services for a population of more than four million people. He has managed complex humanitarian aid operations in post-tsunami Indonesia and humanitarian efforts in Post-9/11 Northern Afghanistan.

Founded in 2014, is an educational association that supports higher education international business professionals who are passionate about quality education. Its��membership consists of over 100 financial professionals representing higher education institutions and global providers from across the country.��HEIBO strives to work in collaboration with surrounding international education and higher education business networks.

The employee giving campaign runs through Friday, Dec. 13. Celebrating 102 years of impact in the local community, the����funds 73 different human service programs and projects at 34 nonprofit partners.

Kirsten Elleby

“The United Way makes a direct impact on people through supporting a variety of amazing initiatives and programs within our community. You will treasure the feeling when you know your dollar helped make a profound difference in someone’s life, perhaps even a family member or a friend in need,” says , one of the co-chairs of the University’s employee giving campaign and the deputy athletics director and senior woman administrator.

University employees are encouraged to consider making a voluntary pledge through MySlice. Options are available for either a one-time donation or a recurring donation through payroll deduction each pay period. University retirees are also invited to participate as many enjoy the longstanding tradition and generous spirit of this annual event. For those who prefer, a paper pledge card may be obtained by contacting campaign coordinator Jake Losowski at��jjlosows@syr.edu��or 315.443.4137.

In case you need inspiration for why your gift matters,�� featuring Elleby and her fellow University co-chair for the campaign, , vice president of enrollment services, along with other University employees discussing the importance of contributing to the United Way.

Ryan Williams

“���ϲ����� is crucial to the vitality of the broad ���ϲ����� community. When we partner with the United Way of Central New York, we ensure that services and supports are made available to community members who need them,” Williams says. “I have personally seen how United Way agencies change lives and knowing that ���ϲ����� faculty, students and staff contributed made it even more impactful.”

Every dollar raised remains in Central New York to help the United Way address various community needs. Faculty and staff are encouraged to unite with their Orange colleagues to give hope to those with the greatest need in our community.

Through the ���ϲ����� employee giving campaign, faculty and staff can give back to this initiative that supports and empowers the United Way to continue making a vast impact in our community.

“I challenge us to come together and make this year the best turnout ever for the ���ϲ����� campaign—to not only reach our monetary goals, but more importantly the goals of making our community stronger, prouder and more united than ever before,” Elleby says.

Many departments organize activities to raise additional funds to be donated to the campaign. Fundraising activities have included bake sales, raffles, contests and gift baskets. In the past, the Department of Public Safety held a step counting challenge, while ���ϲ����� Libraries held a bake sale that was popular with staff and students with all proceeds benefiting the United Way. Employees are encouraged to get involved, even if they have not participated in the campaign in the past.

In addition to the co-chairs, the annual campaign is led by a collection of team leaders from colleges and departments across campus who collaborate to promote the campaign and encourage their colleagues to participate.

“This campaign touches so many different aspects of peoples’ lives. It’s not just to give money to a company for them to do this one goal. It’s how can we take these funds and find the most important or the most critical or the ideal place to help the community in the best way possible,” says Kristin Jeter, access services librarian with ���ϲ����� Libraries.

No gift is too small and every dollar helps change lives.

“You don’t miss one or two dollars a week coming out of your paycheck. And that little bit can help make a big difference. Community is everyone working together for a common goal,” says Charlotte Stahrr, academic program administrator in the College of Professional Studies.

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.

Participants benefit from professional photography, mentorship resources, educational opportunities, receptions and social gatherings.

Gabriela Vasquez Jimenez (pictured in glasses) with her mentor, Beth Wagner (far right) during the Staff Mentoring Program’s opening reception. (Photo courtesy of Diversity and Inclusion)

Gabriela Vasquez Jimenez, administrative specialist for the public administration and international affairs department in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, is a mentee in the first cohort of the program. She says she experienced significant personal growth, especially with her confidence and ability to connect with others.

“When I started, I was new to both the University and ���ϲ�����. Having Beth Wagner [associate director of budget and administration in the College of Arts and Sciences] as a mentor—a ���ϲ����� native with over 20 years of experience at the University—was the perfect match for me,” Vasquez Jimenez says. “If you want to grow, learn more about this institution and its operations, and expand your network while connecting with various learning opportunities, I highly recommend this program.”

The program is open to all staff; those who are members of marginalized identities are strongly encouraged to apply.

. Completed applications and the submission of a current resume is required to be considered as a mentor or mentee. All applications are due Friday, Nov. 1.

Mentee qualifications:

• Full-time, active staff members with up to five years of career experience
• In good professional standing as confirmed by the Office of Human Resources
• Not currently receiving mentorship as part of a formal University program

Mentor qualifications:

• Full-time, active staff members with an associate director title or above, or equivalent responsibilities, and at least five years of professional experience
• Combined full-time, active ���ϲ����� work history of no less than one year
• In good professional standing as confirmed by the Office of Human Resources
• Not currently providing mentorship as part of a formal University program

For more information, attend the on Thursday, Oct. 17, at 2 p.m., or email the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.

Carrie Murawski

Carrie Murawski started a little over two months ago in her role as the inaugural DEIA director of learning and development for the . Already immersed in expanding learning experiences on campus to advance diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA), Murawski was drawn to the University because of the importance it places on DEIA and the community of people dedicated to the work.

“It was obvious that there is a true commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility practices at the University, and I wanted to be part of an institution that values that sort of investment into their community,” Murawski says. “I see DEIA as a lifelong commitment of learning and relearning and I knew that ���ϲ����� shares that principle.”

Murawski, who began in her role July 16, came to ���ϲ����� from Roanoke College, where she was assistant professor of communication studies, faculty affiliate for the Center for Studying Race and co-coordinator of the Gender and Women’s Studies Program.

In her role with ODI, Murawski provides leadership, collaborative decision-making and oversight of short and long-term professional development opportunities through the office. She is also coordinating the biennial DEIA Symposium and follow-up activities, a new micro-credential program and a new train-the-trainers program. She also provides direction on the Office of Diversity and Inclusion’s CORE Four curriculum, learning materials/resources, and discussions and workshops. All of this work is essential to achieving the critical priorities and goals outlined in the and .

“We are so pleased to have Carrie join us in our work to make the University a place welcoming for all. In this inaugural position, she will help guide and shape DEIA learning and development into a new era,” says Tanya Williamson, assistant vice president for diversity and inclusion. “With her strategic experience and background, Carrie will help pave the way for the development of DEIA professional programs and sustained learning experiences for students, staff and faculty.”

In the following Q&A, Murawski shares more about the work she will be doing and offers a peek at what to expect for next year’s DEIA Symposium.

Why were you interested in this role at ���ϲ�����?

I applied for the director of DEIA learning and development role because I was, and still am, excited about the opportunity to lead inclusive initiatives and programs at ���ϲ�����! I see this institution as leading the way for inclusivity in higher education.

What do you see looking forward regarding DEIA professional development for University community members?

I’m looking forward to creating more long-term professional development infrastructure for the University with an office that prioritizes sustainable change to make the campus more inclusive and accessible for everyone. I’m enthusiastic about building on the , which lays a DEIA foundation for our University community. I’m also eager to think about how to create more professional development opportunities for staff and faculty members whose work is already rooted in DEIA.

What are your plans regarding microcredentialing and how University community members can really immerse themselves in DEIA personal development and greater understanding?

The office’s microcredentialing program is one of my big undertakings this academic year! We’re thinking about not just what it means to be inclusive, but how our DEIA microcredentialing program is uniquely Orange. Our office wants to offer microcredentialing that is free, accessible and self-paced. With a blend of theory and practical application, we want our program to focus on how we can enhance our own community, and University community members will have a way to demonstrate their long-term commitment to DEIA. I’m excited to work with the to make this happen.

Can you give any hints about what to expect for the 2025 symposium? What can prospective presenters start to think about?

The 2025 DEIA Symposium is, in fact, happening, and we are preparing for it to be even bigger than the inaugural event. We’re planning for fall of 2025 and we are excited to have faculty, staff and students from across campus present. The University community can expect diverse topics and a wide range of presentation formats, including keynote speakers, poster presentations, discussion panels and more. We are especially delighted about the focus on accessibility. We are going to offer more ways to participate, virtual and in person, to include as many people as possible.

What have you enjoyed so far about the University and the local community?

I’ve enjoyed meeting my colleagues across campus! It’s refreshing to meet so many folks who are just as passionate and committed to DEIA as I am. Campus is beautiful, and I like to walk around during my lunch break. I’ve started to explore the local eateries on Marshall Street and I’m mapping out my calendar for all the wonderful programming that will take place this fall semester. I’m still waiting on my selfie with Otto, but I’m sure that day is just around the corner.

Diane Crawford

Crawford, executive director of institutional culture at the Whitman School of Management, and Yu, health and wellness research director at the Barnes Center at The Arch, will each conduct projects to advance the priorities outlined in the .

“The fellowships offered by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion provide a unique opportunity for staff members to advance a diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility project that may fall outside of their primary role,” says Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion Mary Grace Almandrez. “The professional development for supervisors and student research projects that will be led by our fellows this year will assist us in our efforts to ensure every campus member feels a sense of inclusion and ��belonging at the University.”

Crawford plans to develop a course that will empower supervisors to foster a culture and climate of authentic inclusion, where every team member is valued, developed and included. “This embodies what ‘Leading with Excellence’ looks and feels like. Campus members who have direct reports are encouraged to participate,” says Crawford.

This fellowship provides Crawford an opportunity to develop leadership discovery learning tools, which are practical skills that campus leaders can leverage to drive inclusivity in their respective areas of focus. “As the landscape of the workforce continues to diversify and evolve, it is crucial for leaders to understand and practice ways to make their team members feel that they are valuable contributors,” she says.

“The goal is to equip our leaders with the necessary tools to enhance their leadership capacity in regard to inclusivity, thereby building stronger, dynamic teams that further establishes ���ϲ����� as an exceptional workplace,” says Crawford.

Qingyi Yu

Yu plans to conduct focus groups among multiple marginalized identity student groups on topics of belonging and inclusion in different contexts, such as social belonging and academic belonging. This fellowship allows Yu to combine her passion for health and wellness research and assessment while focusing on enhancing DEIA.

“As the leader of the Barnes Center Health and Wellness Research Consortium, I aim to foster cross-campus collaborations and use data to identify predictive and protective factors for student wellness and thriving,” says Yu. “A key goal of my assessments is to better understand how inclusion and belonging impacts student success and thriving. I see the ODI fellowship as a valuable opportunity to expand the reach of DEIA assessment and research, support data-driven strategic planning and serve a diverse student population at the University.”

Through the fellowship, Yu aims to capture unique narratives and perspectives to guide the creation of an inclusive, equitable and supportive environment for all students. “The focus groups’ data collected will identify key aspects of belonging and existing resources that enhance the sense of community,” she says. “The project seeks to gain a comprehensive understanding of students with marginalized identities, identify successful resources that promote a sense of belonging, propose interventions to enhance this sense of inclusion, and provide data-driven recommendations for strategic planning.”

Stephanie Solywoda

Originally from New York, Solywoda joins ���ϲ����� London after more than twenty years of studying and working at Oxford University. For the past eight years, she has served as director of Stanford University’s Montag Centre for Overseas Study at Oxford. As director, Solywoda was responsible for all operations of the Montag Centre, as well as local partnerships, staff/faculty leadership and program development, notably in the increase of science, technology, engineering and mathematics offerings.

A scholar of Russian history and philosophy, Solywoda graduated from Smith College with a bachelor of arts degree in Russian civilization, then relocated to Oxford to pursue a master of philosophy in Russian and Eastern European studies. In 2008-09, she was the Max Hayward Fellow of Russian Culture at St Antony’s College Oxford, and in 2015, she completed her doctor of philosophy in modern history at Oxford.

Throughout her career, Solywoda has expressed a deep commitment to widening access to education abroad. She herself studied abroad in Moscow as an American undergraduate and learned first-hand how living and studying in another country as a young scholar helps develop independence, global competencies and a sense of one’s place in the wider world.

“I see the setting of the London Centre as key to upholding and furthering ���ϲ�����’s educational mission,” says Solywoda.��“London displays the diversity of human experience and culture, from some of the world’s most vulnerable communities to the wealthiest. This amazing city provides a great platform for curricula that explores global human experience.”

Troy Gordon

Solywoda takes over the London program’s leadership from Troy Gordon, who, after ten years as director, moves into his new role of director of global teaching and learning, working across all ���ϲ����� Abroad centers.

“I am genuinely happy to hand the leadership of our center to someone as capable and inspiring as Stephanie,” Gordon says. “I look forward to collaborating with her in my new role, working with all of ���ϲ�����’s abroad centers.”

Gordon’s new role will be based abroad and will focus on pedagogy and local faculty support, experiential learning and civic engagement, diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility priorities and curricular implementation.

In his new role, he brings his previous experience as a director, full-time faculty member, department chair and associate dean, as well as years of experience teaching at ���ϲ����� London. His academic leadership will be a valuable asset, as will his knowledge of the University and of ���ϲ����� Abroad.

Last year, ���ϲ����� and Hendricks Chapel featured a story about the friendship and unique collaboration between Imam Durić and Rabbi Bair, which showcased their efforts in uniting their respective chaplaincies through conversation and community building. The story not only resonated with students and staff at ���ϲ����� but also captured the attention of Interfaith America, a leading interfaith non-profit organization.

This recognition led to a grant from Interfaith America, funding the creation of the Jewish-Muslim Fellowship (JMF) at ���ϲ�����. This initiative provided a dialogue space for Jewish and Muslim students, alongside Imam Durić and Rabbi Bair, to discuss pressing issues and foster Jewish-Muslim relationships. As a result of its growing national reputation for interfaith engagement, ���ϲ����� received an invitation to the Interfaith Leadership Summit.

“Spending time with people from diverse backgrounds reminded me that interfaith cooperation and dialogue are about understanding not only others but also ourselves in the context of a broader, pluralistic society,” said Durić. Founded by Eboo Patel, Interfaith America aims to inspire, equip and connect leaders and institutions to harness the potential of America’s religious diversity.

Adam Baltaxe (center) and Avva Boroujerdi (far right) with students from other universities.

Over the three days of the summit, attendees participated in interfaith dialogue training alongside representatives from more than 20 universities. The event featured speakers, dancers, singers and interactive sessions. Imam Durić and Rabbi Bair were interviewed about their collaboration, the JMF, and their future goals. “Connecting with national interfaith leaders was both grounding and inspiring. Engaging with others on Jewish-Muslim dialogue was a highlight,” said Bair.

Durić participated in a panel entitled “Holy Envy: Discovering the Sacred Unexpectedly” which focused on encountering beautiful and valuable teachings and traditions through interreligious journeys. Leaders from varying traditions and geographical locations participated in the panel, shared their experiences of holy envy, and invited participants to do the same. “The Interfaith America Leadership Summit underscored the importance of interfaith cooperation, especially in an era of increasing polarization. It inspired me to deepen my commitment to building interfaith relationships. These relationships foster a positive attitude towards each other, enhance our appreciation of diverse worldviews, and help us identify shared values,” said Durić.

Baltaxe and Boroujerdi connected with campus representatives from universities of all sizes and forged strong connections with fellow students and other religious leaders. “A common theme at the summit regarded communicating effectively through difficult topics. I’ve helped others learn to engage in emotional discussions without taking things personally. Following the summit, I was selected as a student advisor for Search for Common Ground’s ‘Blueprint for Belonging’ project. We are working to implement interfaith initiatives at universities nationwide,” said Baltaxe. “I’m excited to build on the ideas from the summit and foster unity both at ���ϲ����� and across the country.”

For more information about the Jewish Muslim Fellowship and other programs, please .

Story by Adam Baltaxe ’25 and Dara Harper

From left to right: Adam Baltaxe, Rabbi Ethan Bair, Imam Amir Durić and Avva Boroujerdi

Allen Groves

The Gold Medal, which dates to 1940, is presented for lifelong service to the interfraternal community and is the highest interfraternal honor the NIC bestows.��In an NIC press release announcing the award, Groves was called an “ardent supporter of the fraternal experience.”

“I’ve always believed the fraternity and sorority experience can be a very positive part of a student’s involvement outside the classroom when it’s undertaken consistent with each organization’s expressed values and the host institution’s policies,” says Groves. “I know it was a transformative experience for me as a student and I formed many strong friendships that have lasted a lifetime.”

“Allen has provided encouragement, comfort, wise counsel and at times tough love to more fraternity men than one could possibly remember. In my over 25 years working with fraternities and fraternity men, there are very few men who match both the experience, character and intellect of Allen Groves,” says Justin Buck, Pi Kappa Alpha executive vice president and chair of the NIC Governing Council.

Groves was initiated into Pi Kappa Alpha’s (PIKE) Delta Upsilon chapter at Stetson University in 1979. Following graduation, he spent time on the PIKE staff and served as executive director from 1984-87. Groves holds a J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law. Following his tenure with PIKE, he embarked upon a 16-year career as a litigation attorney, in which he was nationally recognized for his work.

After retiring from his legal career, Groves transitioned back to student affairs at the University of Virginia, where he served as the university’s dean of students for 14 years. In 2021, he became ���ϲ�����’s senior vice president and chief student experience officer. In his role, he oversees more than 20 operational units dedicated to the student experience.

Groves’ service spans 10 years on Pi Kappa Alpha’s International Fraternity Supreme Council, including as international president from 2004-06; six years on the NIC Board of Directors, serving as board chairman from 2012-14; the Virginia’s Governor’s Task Force on Combating Campus Sexual Assault from 2014-15; and Stetson University College of Arts and Sciences Board from 2013-18; among other affiliations.

Richard N. McKaig, retired vice chancellor for student affairs and dean of students at Indiana University, was also named a Gold Medal honoree.

Kathryn Bradford, right, greets a new student and her family at Day Hall. (Photo by Charles Wainwright)

Bradford, a budget analyst with the ���ϲ�����CoE, has volunteered with Welcome Week for the past six years. In her role as a move-in captain, she is one of the first people that eager first-year students—and their parents and families—engage with as they begin their journey at ���ϲ�����.

It’s a role that Bradford—a 27-year employee of the University—relishes. For the first 20 years of her tenure at the University, Bradford worked in the textbook division of the Campus Store. The nature of that job, with the busiest times being at the start of each semester, meant that she wasn’t able to break away to volunteer.

Her most recent job at the Shaw Center, where she oversaw operations of the center, supervised the leadership internship program and directly coached and mentored more than 25 undergraduate interns, gave her that chance.

“The Shaw Center gave me the opportunity to join Welcome Week,” she says. Her Shaw Center colleagues Pamela Kirwin Heintz, associate vice president and director; Carla Ramírez, assistant director; and Laurel Morton, coordinator, provided the support for her to be out of the office for Welcome Week. “They saw the importance of me being involved in this,” she says.

Kathryn Bradford confers with Welcome Week student volunteers (Photo by Charles Wainwright)

Bradford was at Day Hall for three days last week, sun-up to sundown. “I love the interaction with the students and helping them get the best start possible,” she says.

In her role as move-in captain, she is the go-to person to smooth out any problems that arise. “All of the faculty and staff volunteers check in with me to get an overview of what’s happening and what the system is, to make sure we are collaborating with the Department of Public Safety and Parking and Transportation Services staff on site; to make sure that we are all on the same page,” she says.

Bradford is there to keep the staff in the residence hall apprised of what is happening outside, and support the orientation leaders and Goon Squad volunteers, who she describes as “phenomenal.”

One of the biggest challenges during move-in, she says, is keeping things moving. Cars are unloading in building fire lanes, which means a licensed driver who is in possession of the car keys must remain with the vehicle at all times. It’s a mix of logistics and people skills to gently guide families through this process, being sensitive to emotions and respecting the family experience while keeping the well-oiled machine moving forward, Bradford says.

Kathryn Bradford (Photo by Charles Wainwright)

One important part of the move-in experience for Bradford is to let students and families know she is a resource. “I always have my business cards on me, and I encourage students and families to contact me if I can help in any way.” As a parent, she knows that a little reassurance often goes a long way. The students she has helped to move in have often crossed paths with her later on as orientation leaders or Goon Squad volunteers or in her work with the Shaw Center.

She also is happy to connect with campus faculty and staff that she otherwise may not have met. “There are many people from across campus that I maybe wouldn’t have met, and we can stay connected and collaborate simply from going through that move in experience,” she says.

Bradford plans to continue volunteering for Welcome Week well into the future. “I love interacting with families and assuring them that their student is in good hands. It’s just fun—the excitement, the energy … anytime you can spend a couple days smiling all day long and just being happy … bring it on.”

The annual Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day occurs Sept. 7 when ���ϲ����� hosts Georgia Tech.

���ϲ����� will once again celebrate its faculty and staff with for the Saturday, Sept. 7, game at the JMA Wireless Dome when the Orange take on Atlantic Coast Conference rival Georgia Tech. Kickoff is set for noon.

Faculty and staff and their guests are invited to the Kenneth A. Shaw Quadrangle prior to the game to enjoy a performance by the Pride of the Orange Marching Band, an appearance from our mascot, Otto the Orange and food and beverage concessions.

The first 400 full-time, part-time or temporary faculty and staff with a faculty or staff ���ϲ����� I.D. to visit the University’s pregame Faculty and Staff Appreciation tent on the Shaw Quad will receive a game day gift and a $5 concession coupon that can be redeemed in the JMA Wireless Dome. The pre-game tailgate begins at 9 a.m.

The week prior to the game, a drawing will be held to invite faculty and staff members to enjoy an enhanced game day experience. Those who have purchased tickets prior to Sept. 1 will be eligible for the drawing. Winners will be notified prior to game day.

Tickets

Discounted tickets are priced between $18.75 each (300-level seating), $34.88 each (predominantly 200-level seating) and $57.93 each (300-level seating near the 50-yard line) for University faculty and staff, their children and their guests (up to a limit of 10). Faculty and staff may . Tickets can be purchased until the day of the event.

Parking

University parking permits will be honored for free game day parking at the Skytop parking lot and the Comstock Avenue and University Avenue garages. For faculty and staff who do not already have University parking permits, a single one-time-use complimentary Skytop parking pass will be available for game day. These permits will be available for pickup on Thursday, Sept. 5, and Friday, Sept. 6, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Office of Human Resources, 621 Skytop Road, Suite 1001, with proof of a Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day game ticket and a ���ϲ����� I.D.

With questions about Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day, contact HR Shared Services at 315.443.4042 or email hrservice@syr.edu. With questions about football tickets, email athsales@syr.edu.

“I challenge these new campus public safety officers to go out into the community every day and build trust with the people they serve. Congratulations graduates,” said Craig Stone, associate vice president and chief of the Department of Public Safety, during the graduation ceremony.

The graduates joining the ���ϲ����� DPS are:

• Thomas Bingham
• Kit Diana
• Keyatta Green
• Teng Kiir
• Sean McCaffery
• Delana Thomas
• Barrington Wallace
• Liam Welling

2024 campus peace officer recruits with instructors and Deputy Chief Sardino and Chief Craig Stone. (Front row, left to right: Officer Dishaw, Sgt. Wheeler, Kit Diana, Teng Kiir, Delana Thomas and Liam Welling; back row, left to right: Officer Patsos, Thomas Bingham, Keyatta Green, Sean McCaffery, Barrington Wallace, Deputy Chief John Sardino and Associate Vice President and Chief Craig Stone)

“Today marks not just the end of a rigorous journey, but the beginning of a new chapter in each of the graduates’ lives. Over the last few months, they have acquired values and skills that will help them through every challenge,” said Sgt. Adam Wheeler, academy director. “I am proud of them and look forward to seeing them finish the program and be important assets to our team here at DPS.”

During the ceremony, in addition to the badge pinning and certificates being distributed, special honors were given to a couple of graduates. Liam Welling and Keyatta Green received performance-based awards, while Welling was also honored as the valedictorian of the class.

The newest DPS graduates will now begin their time as field training officers, working side by side with veteran DPS officers as they complete the required 480 hours of training before becoming fully qualified officers and officially completing the training program.

The University’s Department of Public Safety provides around-the-clock protection to the ���ϲ����� campus. Through various patrol and crime prevention efforts, DPS partners with students, faculty and staff to identify, recognize and eliminate crime hazards and risks within the campus community.

Jennifer Pluta has worked in career services at ���ϲ�����, including spending the last 10 years providing advice to ���ϲ�����’s veterans and military-connected community.

When enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve on May 19, 1999, she had no grand plans for making a career out of her service to her country. Rather, feeling compelled to give back to her country, Pluta thought she would serve for a few years before embarking on the next chapter of her life.

Today, the military has become the focal point of Pluta’s career, connecting service members to their benefits and resources while providing both mentorship and guidance that enhances the professional development pursuits of soldiers.

Along with commemorating 25 years of military service, Pluta, a first sergeant in the Army Reserve, is celebrating another professional milestone. For nearly 20 years, Pluta has worked in career services at ���ϲ�����, including spending the last 10 years providing advice to ���ϲ�����’s veterans and military-connected community.

Jennifer Pluta

“I’ve always had a desire to go into the service. I’m so honored to have had this experience and I can’t believe I’m now at 25 years of military service,” says Pluta, director of Veteran Career Services in the , who also led the University’s Veterans Affinity Group for faculty and staff.

“I just never thought this was the plan when I first enlisted, but here I am. I love serving my country. I love helping and mentoring our soldiers on their journeys. Being a humble servant who gives back to our soldiers is the most honorable thing I can think of.”

By encouraging student veterans to discover more about the potential employment opportunities available to them, Pluta’s passion for career services has led to an impressive 100% placement rate for connecting student veterans to new careers following graduation. She achieves this through customized career coaching, mentoring, networking and her strong connections with potential employers.

Pluta’s commitment to serving veterans led to her being named a scholar for the 2023 Stand-To Veteran Leadership Program by the George W. Bush Institute. The initiative supports individuals who not only give back to our nation’s veterans and military families, but are motivated to broaden their skillsets, knowledge and influence to enhance their efforts to support the military-connected communities they serve.

Pluta, who earned a master’s degree in higher education administration from the in 2015, sat down with SU News to discuss her passion for service, the joy she gets from and the role she’s happy to play in making ���ϲ����� one of the best places for veterans.

Where did your passion for this work come from?

I always had an interest in career services going back to high school, when I would read resume books and wanted to learn how to make someone’s resume standout. When I was in college [at Alfred University] I did an internship with the Alfred University Carer Development Center. When I was first deployed to Kuwait as part of Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, I wound up helping soldiers to access their GI Bill benefits, student loans and other educational assistance programs.

I didn’t know you could make a career doing this. But from the onset of my military career, I wanted to know how the military benefits worked, because, for so many, those benefits are the key reason they chose to enlist in the Army Reserve. I also knew, from conversations on the base [in Kuwait], that there were many soldiers in the military who weren’t aware of the many benefits and educational incentives available to them. I was eager to share my knowledge with as many soldiers as possible because access to education through the Army’s benefits could significantly enhance their career paths and help eliminate many financial barriers.

How satisfying has it been to connect veterans and soldiers to their benefits?

It’s always been so rewarding helping my fellow soldiers. I’m lucky that I can do something I’m passionate about while helping others achieve their goals. It’s my job to help soldiers realize that they have a tremendous skillset to offer to an employer. Too often, veterans have a limited viewpoint on the value of their skills and what opportunities might be available to them. But it’s such a rewarding feeling when they understand that employers are interested in their skills and what they bring to the workforce. That’s the reward, when they realize what’s possible.

Once I came to ���ϲ�����, shortly after my deployment in 2005, I started here as a temporary, part-time employee in the Center for Career Services. It was supposed to be on a limited basis, but it’s going to be 20 years for me with ���ϲ����� next year. I’m passionate about empowering our veterans and military-connected students with the skills and opportunities they need to succeed with their professional goals. I’ve had the best time and made some of the most amazing connections by helping the people I’ve served with.

How does your role with career services impact the University’s reputation as one of the best places for veterans?

Because I served as an Army Reserve career counselor and am still active in the Army Reserve, I have an understanding of not only what our service members have been through, but how their military experiences and leadership can be leveraged and utilized to help achieve their career goals. I know what resources to use to help translate their military experience into career success. I help those soldiers who want to go back into the service, and I help our faculty and staff who need help navigating their careers in the Army Reserve. I can use my network and my experiences to help connect veterans to the necessary resources, and I’m really happy I’ve been able to contribute.

As associate director of First Year Seminar, Jimmy Luckman helps provide a warm, welcoming and engaging atmosphere for the thousands of first-year students who arrive at the University each year.

When Jimmy Luckman prepared to embark on his college journey at SUNY Brockport, he desperately sought a meaningful connection with the campus community, opting from the get-go to become involved with a multitude of activities.

“I wanted to be a part of that process to welcome students into the college experience,” Luckman says.

Today, as associate director of the University’s (FYS) in the , Luckman helps provide a warm, welcoming and engaging atmosphere for the thousands of who arrive at the University each year.

His professional career and accompanying research studies the emerging field of orientation, transition and retention, which aims to examine why some college students excel and engage with their campus community while others feel disconnected once they arrive on campus.

Jimmy Luckman

“Every day I get to bring in the things that I’m passionate about, what I learned in the classroom, and figure out how we can continue to enhance the student experience and help students figure out their identities. That’s important because I didn’t really find out who I was and discover all the elements of my identity until graduate school. I’m still learning who I am,” says Luckman, a passionate advocate for LGBTQ+ issues who identifies as a queer man.

Recently, Luckman completed a doctoral degree from St. John Fisher University in executive leadership and successfully defended his dissertation, “More than Just a Sticker of LGBTQ+ Inclusivity: Exploring College and University-Based LGBTQ+ Center Director’s Process and Perceptions of LGBTQ+ Campus Climate Assessments.”

Among the goals of his research: collecting and leveraging the stories of LGBTQ+ students at various universities to both ensure their experiences are being heard and to create meaningful changes and to explore what universities are doing to connect students with local LGBTQ+ community resources.

“By being outspoken and an advocate in public spaces, hopefully, I can inspire queer scholars, queer community members and allies in our community to make a difference. We have an obligation to inspire queer youth and we must support those who want to support the LGBTQ+ community, and that starts with setting an example. I’m grateful for these opportunities,” says Luckman, entering his fourth-year teaching FYS.

Luckman sat down with SU News to discuss how he uses his lived experiences to enhance his FYS teachings, how he hopes to use his dissertation research to make a difference and effect change and why you can find him wearing his trademark bow tie in class and around campus.

How does First Year Seminar enhance the development of our students?

Jimmy Luckman (second from right) poses with the Department of the Year award.

I tell my students that my classroom is a space for them to actively make a difference on campus. FYS helps students with their transition to the University.

Another thing I love is making students a little uncomfortable. When we think about the transition to college, we think about how to make a comfortable and inclusive environment, and I recognize that. But when I talk to my students about my LGBTQ+ identity, specifically my queer identity, I automatically tell my students on the first day that, based on the way I sound, you’re potentially going to assume certain things about me. This doesn’t make you a bad person if you did. That’s part of FYS, learning about yourself and the opinions we form and learning to get uncomfortable.

���ϲ����� is a place to engage in conversations, and for some of our students, they’ve never talked to someone who was so out before. I often share my queer identity and that openness invites students to share the elements of who they are, and potentially to expand what they know about the LGBTQ+ community.

How has your time on campus helped you discover your queer identity?

Some people say coming out, but I say I came into my identity at age 24 because that reflects how I was able to truly embrace who I am. I came into my queer identity in my graduate program [at Northern Arizona University] and ���ϲ����� was the space and the place where I first explored how my identity looks as a working professional and as a role model who engages with and forms friendships and connections in the community.

I started volunteering at the immediately when I came to ���ϲ����� in 2019. The majority of my really close friends are members of the LGBTQ+ community because we have similar interests and that commonality of seeking spaces where we can be authentically queer, which is something that I didn’t get to do when I was younger.

���ϲ����� has given me an opportunity to learn, reflect and try to find those alliances, resources and people to help propel our community forward. The has been very intentional and inclusive in its efforts to provide counseling and resources to the community. The has invited me to do a on my dissertation. We have a space to celebrate queer work and I know we have people on campus who feel a sense of support through the people and the resources available to them.

How did you decide on your dissertation?

There’s not a lot of literature specifically focusing on LGBTQ+ campus climate assessments to see how we are actually supporting students. I wanted to look at it from a lens of what do colleges and universities say or do to bring in students while offering an inclusive space, collecting data from LGBTQ+ centers and then utilizing that data to share that out from the perspective of these centers. How do we leverage this data to make changes on campus?

For my dissertation, what I really focused on was the importance of storytelling. We have students who share their stories of their experiences on a college campus, and I explored how can we leverage this information and these stories to make sure their voices are being heard and then go about creating change. How can we support LGBTQ+ students and create inclusive environments and affirming spaces that allow our campus community members to feel safe sharing their life experiences.

What’s the significance of the bow ties you frequently wear?

Jimmy Luckman poses with a First Year Seminar participant.

It’s all about having fun. Students are spending their Friday afternoons with me, so why not dress up for them? I’ve lost track of how many bow ties I own. I have different color bow ties. Holiday-themed bow ties. Floral bow ties. Even an SU-themed bow tie! It’s just a fun and different way to engage with my students. For them to see their professor dressed up and excited for class, I’ve noticed that they will open up with me and trust me more than previous students might have. I’m known on campus hopefully for my positive demeanor and for being a queer leader, but the bow ties help me standout and they’re a conversation starter. Plus, it brings me happiness!

Thomas Constable and John G. Dean IV

The at the Martin J. Whitman School of Management welcomes Thomas Constable G’04, G’04, as its director and Ltc. (ret) John G. Dean IV�� G’04 MBA, G’04, as associate director.

Both Constable and Dean are both graduates of the Defense Comptrollership Program (DCP) and earned dual master’s degrees—an MBA from the Whitman School and a master’s degree in public administration (MPA) from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs—as classmates in 2004.

Thomas Constable, director, Defense Programs

From 1987 to 2008, Constable was on active duty with the U.S. Army and is a retired civilian senior executive with the Department of Defense. He was the associate director of the Defense Program from August 2023 through February 2024 before moving into his current role.

Constable had a long career as a member of the senior executive service with the Department of Defense. Prior to joining the Whitman School, he was the principal assistant secretary of defense for manpower and reserve affairs from 2022 to 2023 and the principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for readiness from 2019 to 2022, in the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

Constable also held the position of director of resource integration for the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence and as the associate director for military operations/comptroller for the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense, as well the senior financial official for the U.S. Army, Africa, and as a senior budget analyst for the Under Secretary of Defense, Comptroller.

As he settles into his role as director of Whitman’s Defense Program, Constable says, “I loved my own experience with this program, and the opportunity came at a time when I had 35 years with the Department of Defense,” he says. “I really wanted to teach but never had the chance. So, it all came together beautifully, and I haven’t looked back.”

Ltc. (ret) John G. Dean, associate director, Defense Programs

Dean started in his new role as associate director of Defense Programs in the Whitman School on April 1. He retired from the U.S. Army after 25 years of active duty service. Before joining the Whitman School, he was the chief of the Agency Contingency and Coordination branch of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency in Alexandria, Virginia, from 2002 to 2024.

He worked for the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency as a regional chief of regulatory compliance and chief of chemical security in New York City from 2017 to 2022.�� Before DHS, he served as the regional program manager for the Radiological Assistance Program, National Nuclear Security Agency in Idaho Falls, Idaho, from 2013 to 2017. He is also a freelance writer, organizational consultant and training developer.

“I am very pleased to come back to ���ϲ����� and the Whitman Defense Programs after 20 years,” says Dean. “I’m thankful for the knowledge I received here, and I’m eager to share my years of military and federal experience with students and Defense Program future leaders.”

“The Whitman School is fortunate to welcome Tom and John to the Defense Programs,” says J. Michael Haynie, executive dean at the Whitman School and the University’s vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation, as well as a 14-year veteran as an officer in the U.S. Air Force. “Their collective experience both as active duty military and with various agencies within the Department of Defense will not only greatly benefit our students but will help our programs continue to reach a broader audience across the DOD and the national security community.”

This year is the 51st anniversary of this program, organized by CNY Arts, and faculty and staff are invited to showcase their talents along with other employers and businesses in the region.

All eligible artwork submitted will be displayed on campus at Bird Library in a special exhibition titled “On My Own Time–Celebrating the Artistic Talents of ���ϲ����� Faculty and Staff.” The exhibition will run from May 30-June 6 during library hours.

Faculty and staff are encouraged to support their colleagues by visiting the exhibition and casting a ballot for their favorite piece to win the People’s Choice Award. Also, during the on-campus exhibit, a selection panel of adjudicators—including a CNY Arts representative—will select pieces for an “On My Own Time Grand Finale” exhibition. The finale is a five-week exhibition at the Everson Museum of Art from Oct. 5-Nov. 10 and will include a reception for artists, University colleagues, family and friends on Oct. 10. Tickets to the finale are available starting in September at��.

Eligibility for Participation

All active full-time and part-time faculty and staff are eligible to submit artwork for adjudication. Fine arts faculty and professional artists are eligible to submit works outside of their discipline.

Criteria for Submission of Artists’ Work

• All artwork submitted must be��original creations. Copies of published work or craft kits will not be accepted.
• All artwork must have been��completed within three years of entry.
• Artwork must be��finished and display-ready, to include mounting hardware (if applicable). Please submit display instructions or materials as necessary.
• Each faculty or staff member may��submit up to three pieces for the exhibit.

Submission categories include:

• Painting (oil, acrylic, watercolor)
• Metalwork
• Drawing (pen, pencil, ink, charcoal)
• Jewelry
• Collage/assemblage
• Printmaking
• Computer art
• Photography (color or black-and-white)
• Woodwork
• Glasswork
• Sculpture
• Mixed media
• Ceramics
• Fiber art

Registration and Submission Instructions

All artists must register with their intent to participate by��May 17��by completing a��. Artwork submissions must be delivered to Bird Library on May 29. Additional details will be shared upon registration. Artists are responsible for delivering and collecting artwork on schedule.

If you have questions or would like to volunteer to assist with the exhibition at Bird Library, email OMOT@syr.edu.

Fellows will engage in a one or two-year program or research project to advance the priorities outlined in the . The deadline to�� is Monday, June 3.

“Our first administrative fellowships provided us with a powerful collection of student stories as captured during the ‘lonely campus’ podcast,” says Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion Mary Grace Almandrez. “As we issue the call for our next administrative fellows, I look forward to selecting candidates who seek to advance the work of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility on campus through specified projects or research.”

As part of the appointment, fellows will receive the following:

• a $10,000-per-year stipend,
• up to $5,000 in program funds for approved projects,
• up to $1,500 for professional development opportunities,
• mentorship from the vice president for diversity and inclusion and other senior leaders, and
• opportunities to participate in ODI meetings, DEIA committees and community engagement events.

Fellows will develop, implement and measure the impact of an innovative program or project in one of the following areas:

• inclusion and belonging
• DEIA learning and development
• DEIA research and assessment
• disability access
• strategic communications

To execute their program or project, fellows will collaborate with students, campus leaders and key stakeholders and present their projects to the University community at the end of their fellowship. Fellows are expected to be able to commit 96 hours for active participation in the program per year (i.e., two hours/week).

To be considered for the fellowship, staff members must have demonstrated commitment to advancing DEIA; be a full-time, benefits-eligible employee; and have completed a minimum of five years of administrative experience in the current position at the start of the fellowship. For a listing of all requirements, visit the��.

Applications can be . The deadline for applications is Monday, June 3.

For those who apply, their supervisor will be requested to complete a required letter of recommendation for their applicant(s).

For more information, visit the����or contact��diversity@syr.edu.

As the campus community celebrates Earth Month, Lydia Knox discusses the state of sustainability and explores how the University is committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2032.

What does it mean for ���ϲ����� to invent and demonstrate cutting-edge sustainability initiatives?

It means reducing the University’s environmental impact responsibly by identifying, promoting and implementing practices that will meet our current needs without compromising the needs of future generations. And it includes reducing greenhouse gas emissions through wisely managing energy efficiency projects.

Projects like the recently completed improvements to the mechanical systems at the Center for Science and Technology, a multi-year initiative that resulted in a 25% reduction in steam use in 2023 and an annual emissions reduction of over 500 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2e). Or the��recent replacement of the Lally Athletics Complex arena lighting, an effort expected to reduce carbon emissions by 141 metric tons per year.

“Sustainability encompasses a lot, but I think in the most basic sense it’s trying to really have a positive impact on the community and on the environment, and to just make sure that the practices we’re putting forth each day are both benefiting us now at this current moment, but also will have a benefit to future generations of students, faculty and staff here at ���ϲ�����, and on a larger level, the whole ���ϲ����� community. This is not one fix-all. It’s going to take a lot of people,” says Lydia Knox G’22, the sustainability project manager in the .

During April, the campus community is coming together to celebrate Earth Month. On this ‘Cuse Conversation, Knox discusses the state of sustainability at ���ϲ�����, the wide range of Earth Month efforts occurring on campus, how the University is committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2032, how you can get involved with these initiatives and why she left her career as a television meteorologist to pursue her passion for sustainability and preserving the Earth.

Check out episode 162 of the podcast featuring Knox. A transcript [PDF]��is also available.

The One University Awards Ceremony, an annual event to honor members of the ���ϲ����� community who are making a difference through academics, scholarship, creative work and dedicated service, will be held Friday, April 19, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. in Hendricks Chapel.

“Every year, we come together to celebrate the outstanding contributions and tremendous success of our students, faculty, staff and broader community,” says Chancellor Kent Syverud. “The accomplishments of this year’s recipients reinforce what it means to be Orange. This ceremony also shines a bright spotlight on the work being done around campus, much of which happens behind the scenes. I thank the many members of our community who organized this event and look forward to recognizing this year’s winners.”

Two major awards—the Chancellor’s Medal and the Chancellor’s Citation for Excellence—will be bestowed. The ceremony will also include the presentation of the Student-Athlete Award, Judith Seinfeld Scholarship, Meredith Professorship for Teaching Excellence, Teaching Recognition Award, Diversity and Inclusion Award, William Pearson Tolley Medal for Distinguished Leadership in Lifelong Learning and Chancellor’s Forever Orange Award.

���Ի��� will also be recognized. This year’s��University Scholars,��, and Remembrance and Lockerbie Scholars will also be honored.

All members of the University community are invited and encouraged to attend. A reception will follow in the lobby of the Heroy Geology Laboratory.

American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation and Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) will be provided at the ceremony. For questions about accessibility or to request accommodations, contact Gabe Coleman at gbcolma@syr.edu.

Award Recipients��

The��Chancellor’s Medal��is the University’s highest honor and is awarded to individuals in honor of their trailblazing and extraordinary contributions to the University, to an academic body of knowledge or to society. This year’s recipient is��, Laura J. and L. Douglas Meredith Professor for Teaching Excellence and professor of electrical engineering and computer science in the College of Engineering and Computer Science.

The��Chancellor’s Citation for Excellence��recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions in four overarching categories:

• The award for��Excellence in Student Research recognizes students who have engaged in collaborative research that has the potential to make a deep and lasting impact on greater society. This year’s recipients are Jingjing Ji, a doctoral candidate in chemical engineering in the Department of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering in the College of Engineering and Computer Science (graduate), and Ashtha Singh, an international relations major in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs and citizenship and civic engagement major in the Maxwell School (undergraduate).
• The award for��Outstanding Contributions to the Student Experience and University Initiatives acknowledges faculty and staff who, through their work, enhance the undergraduate experience for students or make invaluable contributions to supporting and advancing the University’s mission and goals. The recipients are��, associate professor of communications in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications (faculty); , chief operating officer for the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (professional staff); , program coordinator of citizenship and civic engagement in the Maxwell School (professional staff) and , events coordinator at Lubin House (support staff).
• The��Faculty Excellence and Scholarly Distinction award is intended for faculty members who are collaborators in work of intellectual richness that has the potential for future impact. The work of these nominees offers possibilities for collaboration within the University and outside in partnership with others. This year’s honorees are��, Distinguished Professor in the Department of Art and Music Histories in the College of Arts and Sciences, and , associate dean of research and professor of Public Health in the Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics.
• Chancellor’s Citation for Excellence, Lifetime Achievement Award. This award honors those who have made extraordinary contributions toward advancing all four pillars of excellence over the arc of their careers while at ���ϲ����� and beyond. This year’s recipient is��, Laura J. and L. Douglas Meredith Professor for Teaching Excellence and professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering in the College of Engineering and Computer Science.

The other awards to be presented are:

• The��Student-Athlete Award recognizes the top female and top male student athletes and are presented to the senior student-athletes with the highest cumulative grade point average over the course of their academic and athletic careers. This year’s recipients are Izabela Krakic, an international relations major in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs and College of Arts and Sciences and member of the women’s rowing team, and Julius Rauch, an entrepreneurship and emerging enterprises major in the Whitman School of Management and a member of the men’s soccer team.
• Seinfeld Scholarship: Each year ���ϲ����� honors the talents of outstanding faculty or students through an��, a distinguished alumna and member of the University Board of Trustees. Awards are made to those who have been determined by their peers to have made outstanding contributions to the beauty of the world, to have added to human values and to ending human abuse anywhere in the world, and to have demonstrated passion for excellence, creativity and originality in academic or artistic fields. This year, the designation is bestowed upon a faculty member,��, associate professor of advertising in the Newhouse School.
• The��Laura J. and L. Douglas Meredith Professorships for Teaching Excellence were created in 1995 to recognize and reward outstanding teaching among faculty. The 2024-27 Meredith Professors are��, professor in the School of Information Studies, and , Bond, Schoeneck and King Distinguished Professor in the College of Law.
• In 2001, the Meredith Professorship Program was expanded to recognize teaching excellence by non-tenured faculty and adjunct and part-time instructors. Awards are given in two categories:��Early Performance ���Ի���Continuing Excellence. This year’s honorees in the Early Performance category are��, assistant professor of television, radio and film in the Newhouse School; , associate teaching professor of electrical engineering and computer science in the College of Engineering and Computer Science; , assistant professor of visual communications in the Newhouse School; , assistant teaching professor of Chinese and Chinese language in the College of Arts and Sciences; and , assistant professor in the School of Architecture. The two honorees in the Continuing Excellence category are��, assistant dean of online and distance education and associate teaching professor of social work in the Falk College, and , teaching professor and graduate director of nutrition and food studies in the Falk College.
• The��Diversity and Inclusion Award��recognizes an individual who is integral in helping us achieve academic excellence at a university that is welcoming to all through our investments in a diverse, inclusive, accessible and equitable community. This year’s recipient is��, teaching professor in the College of Law and faculty fellow for the Office of Strategic Initiatives and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.
• The��William Pearson Tolley Medal for Distinguished Leadership in Lifelong Learning is based in the School of Education and honors national or international leadership in support of lifelong learning. This year’s recipient is ’77, executive director of MidPenn Legal Services, adjunct professor of law at PennState’s Dickinson Law and an alumna of the School of Education.
• The��Chancellor’s Forever Orange Award recognizes individual students, faculty or staff who—by virtue of extraordinary hard work, good values and commitment to excellence—have come to embody the best of ���ϲ�����. This year’s recipients are , associate vice president of parent engagement and student experience, and , head coach of the men’s soccer team.

The Department of Public Safety’s new substation at 101 Marshall Street will celebrate its grand opening on Friday, Mar. 29. (Photo by Ross Oscar Knight)

DPS will also be offering $20 food vouchers to the first 44 students who stop by the event and have the Orange Safe app downloaded.

“This new space allows DPS to enhance our coverage in an area that not only serves our campus community but also visitors and alumni,” says , DPS chief and associate vice president. “I am looking forward to greater engagement with our campus community and welcoming students, faculty and staff to our new space on Friday.”

The hours of operation through the end of the spring semester are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Wednesday. The substation will have extended hours of 10 a.m.-3 a.m. on Thursday and Friday and 6 p.m.-3 a.m. on Saturday. It will be closed on Sunday.

Last year, the University initiated the establishment of the substation at the corner of Marshall Street and South Crouse Avenue. With the Sheraton Hotel and 727 Crouse being converted into student housing, it was vital for DPS to increase its footprint in the area to provide a visible presence to serve the campus community.

Marshall Street is one of the highest-traffic areas surrounding campus, and in addition to the new student housing projects, there are numerous restaurants, bars and shops that bring many visitors and alumni to the area.

DPS provides round-the-clock protection to the ���ϲ����� campus. Through various patrol and crime prevention efforts, DPS partners with students, faculty and staff to identify, recognize and eliminate crime hazards and risks within the campus community.

���ϲ�����’s annual Giving Day takes place on Wednesday, March 27.

Each year, ���ϲ�����’s Giving Day is a��time for our global Orange community to unite, support our University and demonstrate our unwavering ���ϲ����� spirit.

This year’s Giving Day occurs on Wednesday, March 27.��Don’t miss out on the opportunity to participate in this exciting day and send a powerful message of support for our dedicated students. We can’t do it without you!

Below is a list of all the ways you can get involved through our on-campus activities:

• Kayla Burton G’19 will broadcast LIVE from the JMA Wireless Dome
  • starting at 9 a.m. when ESPN college football reporter Kayla Burton G’19 hosts��three live shows��from campus to showcase some of the best of ���ϲ�����. If you’re local, you can watch the show in person at the JMA Dome (enter through Stadium Control). to see the full list of interviews, prerecorded videos and student performances.
• Free iced coffee and swag
  • Stop by the Schine Student Center from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.��and make a $5 gift to the Annual Fund, then fill your color-changing stadium cup with iced coffee! Visit select locations for treats and merch while supplies last. to plan your day.
• Find Otto!
  • Locate one of 10 small plush Ottos hidden around campus. at 10 a.m. on Wednesday. Be the first to find an Otto to win a prize pack! For each Otto discovered, $100 will be donated to a fund of your choice on behalf of the and the . Plus, that donation will be matched with another $100 by the Chancellor Challenge, meaning each Otto is worth $200.
• Get loud!
  • Cheer on our women’s lacrosse team vs. Loyola Maryland at 4 p.m. inside the JMA Dome.
• Visit the Student Organization Showcase
  • Learn more about select student organizations on campus from 5-7 p.m. on the JMA Dome’s concourse (use Gate A). Participate in the Giving Power Hour from 5:30-6:30 p.m. to help the organizations with the most unique donors receive extra challenge dollars!
• Support the part of campus that’s important to you
  • ���ϲ����� Giving Day empowers you to , whether it’s a specific school, college or program. Unlock challenge dollars to make your gift go even further. Compete with other groups on the leaderboards. Your generosity can make a significant impact and help students achieve their goals.
• Celebrate ’Cuse!
  • As the day comes to an end, we’ll join together to toast ���ϲ����� in the JMA Dome with Orange mocktails at 11:44 p.m. The festivities continue on Thursday, March 28 in the Schine Student Center with the Forever Orange Celebration featuring cupcakes, musical performances and more fun activities, plus an appearance by Otto! Hosted by the Office of Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving in partnership with Student Engagement.

Your involvement in ���ϲ����� Giving Day combines with others from around the globe to make a tremendous collective impact.��It’s time to show the world what Orange can do, together!

As imam and Muslim chaplain, Amir Durić fosters community and togetherness. His research focuses on supporting and enhancing the Muslim student experiences on college campuses across the country.

As a faith leader, an imam is the one who proceeds, the one who stands in front and leads the mosque’s worshippers as a role model.

A deeply religious man, Amir Durić knew he was meant to serve as a faith leader when he was a child and his grandfather called upon him to lead his family’s daily prayers during the holy month of Ramadan. It is a time when observant Muslims around the world come together in hopes of increasing their consciousness, self-awareness and empathy through fasting daily from dawn to sunset and worship that elevate their spirituality.

Durić gathered the courage to deliver the prayers, and soon after accepting the responsibility, he started noticing a newfound love and passion for the spiritual life. Durić had found his calling.

Amir Duric

“With faith, I am on the receiving end of timeless and divine wisdom that really broadens my horizons beyond this temporary world. My faith motivates me to be a better citizen of this world, because I have a role to play, and that role is not just about me, but about those around me as well,” says Durić, the imam at . In his role, he is responsible for fostering a sense of community and togetherness among the students who practice Islam on campus.

Since 2017, Durić has led efforts to enhance and improve the Muslim student experience on college campuses across the country. He is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in ��through the .

With the holy month of Ramadan underway, Durić stopped by to share his thoughts on the role an Imam plays on campus, describe the core tenets of Islam and address the biggest misconceptions surrounding the religion. He also discusses his groundbreaking research on the Muslim student experiences on college campuses across the country and explains how an interfaith collaboration with Rabbi Ethan Bair brought together Muslim and Jewish students to learn more about each other’s beliefs and values.

Check out podcast featuring Durić. A transcript [PDF]��is also available.

Fulbright grantee Anne Poe ’20, engaged in a English teaching assistantship in Spain, Here, she is planting with members of the community.

The Office of Research and the Center for Fellowship and Scholarship Advising will host a Fulbright Day on Wednesday, March 20, from 3-4:30 p.m. in the atrium of the Shaffer Art Building. The University community is invited to attend.

The event will introduce the campus community to the wide range of opportunities funded through , a U.S. government international academic exchange program that partners with more than 160 countries. The University’s Academic Strategic Plan includes an emphasis on internationalization that aligns with the opportunities Fulbright offers to students, alumni, faculty and staff.”

At Fulbright Day, attendees can learn about Fulbright opportunities available to faculty, students, alumni and staff and will hear from campus administrators and program alumni about the application process and Fulbright experience. Remarks will be offered by Lois Agnew, associate provost for academic programs.

Attendees at a poster session as part of the Fulbright Pre-Academic Program held by the English Language Institute.

���ϲ����� was recently named as a Fulbright Top-Producing Institution for U.S. students for the second consecutive year. Eleven students from the University were selected for Fulbright research and teaching awards for academic year 2023-24 to the Czech Republic, France, Germany (three awards), Mexico, Oman, Poland, Spain (two awards) and Tajikistan. For the 2024-25 cohort, 31 of the University’s 39 applicants have been named as semifinalists. Awards will be announced this spring.

Other Fulbright opportunities include grants for faculty to research and teach abroad, “Specialist” grants for academics and professionals to engage in short-term exchanges abroad, and the Fulbright Foreign Student Program, which provides grants for graduate students from around the world to study in the United States. The University’s English Language Institute administers an orientation program for students who will go on to study at universities other than ���ϲ�����.

For more information or to request accommodations, contact Juliette Rawda at jlrawda@syr.edu.

The theme for this year’s celebrations was “Existing Outside the Lines: The Colors of Resistance.”��Through a lens of intersectionality as art, this theme encapsulated the rich diversity within the Black community while also acknowledging the spectrum of color that Blackness holds.

Relive the celebrations through our photo gallery, which captures highlights from several of the signature events led by the Black History Month Committee and coordinated across campus by the . Thanks to all who participated!

Black History Month Kickoff Celebration (Photo by Julie Herman)

Black History Month Kickoff Celebrations (Photo by Julie Herman)

Black History Month Kickoff Celebrations (Photo by Julie Herman)

Black History Month Kickoff Celebrations (Photo by Julie Herman)

Black History Month Kickoff Celebrations (Photo by Julie Herman)

Black History Month Kickoff Celebrations (Photo by Julie Herman)

Black History Month Commemorative Event: Night at the Museum (Photo courtesy of on Instagram)

Olutosin Alabi G’25 won the Third Annual Afropreneurship Competition (Photo courtesy of ���ϲ����� Libraries)

The Third Annual Afropreneurship Competition (Photo courtesy of ���ϲ����� Libraries)

Black History Month Orange After Dark Trap N’ Paint (Photo by Amelia Beamish)

Black History Month Orange After Dark Trap N’ Paint (Photo by Amelia Beamish)

Black History Month Orange After Dark Trap N’ Paint (Photo by Amelia Beamish)

Black History Month Orange After Dark Trap N’ Paint (Photo by Amelia Beamish)

Black History Month Orange After Dark Trap N’ Paint (Photo by Amelia Beamish)

Black Beauty Expo (Photo by Angela Ryan)

Black Beauty Expo (Photo by Angela Ryan)

Black Beauty Expo (Photo by Angela Ryan)

Black Beauty Expo (Photo by Angela Ryan)

Black History Month Career Mixer (Photo by Jeremy Brinn)

Black History Month Career Mixer (Photo by Jeremy Brinn)

Black History Month Career Mixer (Photo by Jeremy Brinn)

Black History Month Career Mixer (Photo by Jeremy Brinn)

20th Annual WellsLink Transitions Ceremony (Photo courtesy of Multicultural Affairs)

20th Annual WellsLink Transitions Ceremony (Photo courtesy of Multicultural Affairs)

20th Annual WellsLink Transitions Ceremony (Photo courtesy of Multicultural Affairs)

Black History Month Week of Wellness–Mental Health Talk (Photo by Jeremy Brinn)

Black History Month Week of Wellness–Mental Health Talk (Photo by Jeremy Brinn)

Black History Month Week of Wellness–Mental Health Talk (Photo by Jeremy Brinn)

All Wheels! No Ceilings! Black History Month Soul Skate (Photo by Leigh Mai Vo ’24)

All Wheels! No Ceilings! Black History Month Soul Skate (Photo by Leigh Mai Vo ’24)

All Wheels! No Ceilings! Black History Month Soul Skate (Photo by Leigh Mai Vo ’24)

All Wheels! No Ceilings! Black History Month Soul Skate (Photo by Leigh Mai Vo ’24)

Men of Color Initiative Induction Ceremony (Photo courtesy of Dylan Antigua ’22, G’23)

The College of Law’s Fifth Annual Black History Month Dinner (Photo courtesy of on Instagram)

The competition was organized by two students in the , Motolani Oladitan ’24 and Brandon Henry ’24, with support from other Blackstone LaunchPad student employees and founders.

Tosin Alabi took first place in the recent Afropreneurship Pitch Competition. (Photo by Mariah Brown)

Olutosin “Tosin” Alabi G’25, an MBA student in the , won first place in the 90-second pitch competition with her proposed health tech startup, DiabeTech Nexus, a sensor-detecting diabetes wound bandage.

Whitman undergraduate student Mariah Brown ’26 won second place with Dormbank, a proposed reseller of college residence hall items like appliances and small electronics. Third place winner Justin Diaz ’24, also a student in the Whitman School, is founder of Eco Bamboo Living, a company that would create tiny homes made of bamboo for more sustainable living.

Judges for the pitch competition also spoke to students during a panel discussion on being an innovator, entrepreneur and creative of color. Panelists/judges included:

• Brianna Howard G’21, founder of Faithful Works, which offers virtual assistant and grant consulting services to nonprofits, small business owners and startup;
• Derrell Smith ’10, retired NFL player turned chef and founder of a meatball company named Amazeballs, who has cooked on stages around the world and stars in his own TV show on Tastemade;
• Damaris “Koi” Munyua G’22, founder of the marketing agency Koi and Company, which specializes in copywriting, graphic and website design;
• Ana Catalina Rodriguez Botello, a diversity and social impact professional with a master’s degree in public and social Policy from Universitat Pompeu Fabra and a LEAD Certificate from Stanford University, currently serving as global social impact senior manager at Marsh McLennan;
• Phahsa Ras, co-founder of UMi, the world’s first “Conscious Attention Economy,” capitalizing on the impact of such emergent technologies as generative AI on jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities; and
• Kofi Addai, associate director of bias education and response in .

Military-Connected Students

Marine Corps Sergeant Levi “L.J.” Guerra ’27 and student-veteran Danny “Rem” Bellitt ’27 first met while stationed in Japan. Guerra is currently a student in the military visual journalism program in the ��and Bellitt is a U.S. Air Force veteran enrolled in the as an undergraduate student.

“Being in different branches that have no business working together definitely had its challenges,” says Bellitt, who served as a crew chief on C-17s and C-5s. “Being an aircraft maintainer meant working twelve-plus-hour shifts at night, and L.J. being a Communications Strategy and Operations (COMMSTRAT) Marine meant she would go on exercises for months at a time.”

The pair were married in March of last year, and two days later Guerra was in the Philippines. They say that during the first six months of marriage they only spent a total of 45 days together due to back-to-back exercises.

“���ϲ����� has been amazing because it has given us both a chance to not only be together everyday, but also go to school together as students,” says Guerra, who was named a in September of last year.

“Coming to ���ϲ����� has been a blessing. We have been able to make up for lost time, and we can actually go out and enjoy each other’s company. Not only is it a nice break from the high op tempo that you experience in the military, it has just been nice to see each other and share a cup of coffee every morning,” says Bellitt.

L.J. Guerra (left) and Danny Bellitt

Marine Veterans Turned University Staff

While Marine veterans Michael and Colleen Drum didn’t meet in the military, their shared experience of being Marines meant they had a lot in common already when they met while working for the (IVMF).

Colleen works as the Onward to Opportunity installation manager for Fort Drum in upstate New York. Michael is currently the national program coordinator for the Onward to Opportunity program but will soon take on a new position as the operations officer for the (OVMA).

“We met in person for the first time at the IVMF all hands meeting in 2019, we had first met on a virtual meeting before since I was remote at the time,” says Colleen, who previously worked for the IVMF in southern California prior to relocating to Central New York. “We were both veterans and we had a lot in common so it helped, especially as a female veteran it can be tough to date men who haven’t been through those same experiences, and some find the role reversal challenging.”

“As veterans we were both pretty used to tough scenarios and I think that made it a lot easier for us both to move in together finally,” says Michael.

The pair also expressed their appreciation for the IVMF’s leadership–particularly Maureen Casey, IVMF chief operating officer–for supporting their relationship. They married in Skaneateles, New York, in fall 2022 and are now expecting their first child later this year.

Colleen (left) and Michael Drum

Veteran Alumni Who Bleed Orange

One look at retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonels Dwayne ’97 and Allison Murray ’01 and it’s obvious the married couple exudes school spirit. Dwayne graduated from ���ϲ����� with undergraduate degrees in sociology and information studies, Allison graduated from the University’s School of Nursing. The Murrays were married in 2009 and continued to serve on active duty in the Army together, with careers spanning more than 20 years each.

They were both student athletes while earning their undergraduate degrees at ���ϲ�����. Dwayne was a member of the track and field team while Allison was a member of the cheerleading squad. Amazingly, however, they didn’t connect while on campus.

“We met while we were both in South Korea,” says Dwayne, deputy director of the OVMA. “She told me she went to a school in upstate New York, and I was like, ‘Really? Which one?’ and then she told me she went to ���ϲ�����.”

Allison, who currently serves as assistant dean for student assistance at , was a little skeptical at first when Dwayne told her he had also graduated from her alma mater. Upon producing his student ID card as proof, the two realized just how much they had in common.

Their time together in the military was no easy feat, however. They have had to overcome deployments, being stationed apart from one another for years at a time, and dealing with the military’s archaic record-keeping systems that aren’t exactly accommodating for dual-military couples.

“There are certain systems and processes that aren’t necessarily set up for dual-military couples,” says Allison, who was a cadet with the U.S. Army ROTC detachment at ���ϲ����� while she was a student. “There were so many times that someone would say, ‘Oh you’re Mrs. Murray!’ and I would have to say, “No, I’m Major Murray, or Lieutenant Colonel Murray, I’m in the service too!’ It wasn’t just the person who couldn’t grasp the concept, sometimes it was the data-entry system for things like keeping track of our children in the system and making sure they were under both of our names.”

The pair said they deliberately made the decision to not be geographically separated if at all possible, that means sacrificing potential assignments that could be better for their career progression. For two highly-ambitious people determined for success, that was a challenge in of itself.

“Thankfully we both had great mentors, people who were rock stars in the military and who were highly supportive of us,” Allison says.

“At the end of the day our goal was less about our own individual ambition, and more about the goal of keeping the family together,” says Dwayne.

The couple now have three children together: Dwayne, who is a junior in the , as well as Caleb and Malachi.

Allison (left) and Dwayne Murray

Read more love stories from students, staff and alumni by checking out the 2024 #OrangeLove photo gallery!

All are welcome to attend and honor the important contributions of respected members of the University community. For more information about the service, contact Hendricks Chapel at chapel@syr.edu or 315.443.2901.

The names of those who have passed away will be read and candles will be lit collectively in their memory. The service will also include prayer, spoken remarks and music. Communication Access Real-Time Translation (CART) and American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation will be available.

The service is inspired by the Remembrance Scholars’ motto of “Look Back, Act Forward,” a call to action to remember those we have lost and act forward in their memory.

The Service of Commemoration provides a moment to honor those who have recently passed away. “We hope this time of ritual and reflection will nurture the spirit and soul of our campus community and beyond,” says Brian Konkol, dean of Hendricks Chapel.

If you know of someone who passed away between Jan. 1, 2023, and the present who should be honored, please forward their name and affiliation to Hendricks Chapel at chapel@syr.edu by Thursday, Feb. 22.

The new esports communications and management program, which was announced in March 2023, will be offered jointly by the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics, in addition to new varsity competitive teams under Student Experience. The University will start enrolling students in the fall. These new staff members will help further develop and amplify the offerings of the program.

“We are fortunate enough to bring in some of the top talent, with the most experience in all of collegiate esports, to support the growth and expansion of the esports program here at ���ϲ�����,” says Gawrysiak. “We will be able to offer a diverse set of programming across different areas of esports and gaming that no other university can offer. I can’t wait to get to work with this group of talented individuals so we can build an exciting and beneficial program for our current and future learners that truly goes beyond gaming.”

Nikita Bair

Nikita Bair

Bair has been named the esports program manager. Having helped found the first varsity esports program in New England at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts, Bair also led one of the oldest esports degree programs at Shenandoah University, where he was a full-time faculty and coordinator of esports. At ���ϲ�����, Bair will focus on academic endeavors, securing partnerships, internships, and travel abroad, while preparing learners for post-graduation by providing ample experiential learning and professional development opportunities for students.

Bair earned a master of business administration in 2023 from Shenandoah University and a bachelor of science in economics and finance in 2021 from Northeastern University. In his studies, Bair specialized in esports and global affairs, earning a concentration in esports from Shenandoah University and a minor in international affairs from Northeastern University.

“The University-wide esports initiative, spearheaded by Chancellor Kent Syverud, speaks volumes to ���ϲ�����’s commitment to becoming a leader in the academic esports landscape,” says Bair. “I am incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to support the leading esports learners and provide them with the most robust academic esports offerings in the nation. With our team, the students and support from the University, I have no doubt in saying that the space is going to see a lot more Orange very soon.”

Sean Kelly

Sean Kelly

Kelly, the newly appointed director of production and outreach, is a leader in the collegiate esports space when it comes to broadcast production. He has led such major projects such as Activision Blizzard’s Calling All Heroes, Behaviour’s Dead by Daylight Mobile: Nights of Terror, and Boost on the Beach, an annual award-winning event. At ���ϲ�����, Kelly will continue pushing the boundaries of what is considered the gold standard in collegiate esports production.

Kelly graduated from Shenandoah University in May 2022 with a bachelor of science in esports management and a bachelor of business administration degree. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to further expand ���ϲ�����’s esports offerings.

“The holistic approach and ‘all-in’ mentality that ���ϲ����� has toward the esports program and greater industry is going to lead to amazing developments,” says Kelly. “���ϲ����� esports is going to be a pivotal player in moving collegiate esports forward and I am excited to be a part of the team from the start. My goal is to take esports production and content creation to a whole new level through student-led projects and industry partners. The sky is the limit for Joey, Nikita, Travis and I!”

Travis Yang

Travis Yang

Yang has been named the director of competition. He got his start in collegiate esports as the assistant esports coach for Ashland University, then one of the first 60 esports programs in the country. He transitioned to the head esports coach for Texas A&M University-San Antonio where he developed the first esports program in the Texas A&M system and the city of San Antonio. Prior to ���ϲ�����, Yang served as the director of esports for Wichita State University, providing oversight for a comprehensive esports program focused on academic and competitive outcomes.

Yang received a bachelor of science degree in parks, recreation and tourism from the University of Missouri and is completing a master of education degree in sport management from Wichita State University.

“The commitment from the University toward a comprehensive esports ecosystem speaks volumes to the vision and belief of the institution in the transformative power of this emerging field,” says Yang. “I am honored to join ���ϲ����� and to have the opportunity to build a competitive program that will holistically develop students while competing at a national level I look forward to hitting the ground running and working closely with Joey, Sean and Nikita as we spearhead esports on campus and advance the potential of esports across the country.”

Photo courtesy of @alexamc25 on Instagram

Do you have an #OrangeLove story? Please share it with us for a chance to be featured in our Orange-themed Valentine’s Day story!

We invite our students, faculty, staff and alumni to submit their #OrangeLove photos for a chance to be included in our #OrangeLove Snapshots on the ���ϲ����� website, in an upcoming edition of SU Today, and on our , and channels.

Send your photos to��newsphoto@syr.edu and put #OrangeLove in the subject line. Please include your name, and affiliation with the University and share a little about your #OrangeLove story, including:

• how did you meet?
• what role has ���ϲ����� played in your life?
• did you kiss on the kissing bench?
• was Otto involved with your wedding?

Look for your story in an upcoming issue of SU Today and on the ���ϲ����� website.��We look forward to seeing your #OrangeLove story!

Megan Myers

Myers joined the Falk College’s advancement team as assistant director of development in December 2018 and was promoted to director of development in December 2021. In these roles, Myers successfully managed an assigned donor portfolio, established and managed relationships with Falk College alumni and donors, and collaborated with ���ϲ�����’s regional fundraising program.

“Megan has an exceptional history of success in creating new strategic partnerships and developing alumni engagement with Falk College,” says Falk College Dean Jeremy Jordan. “From new signature programs to targeted student support funds, Megan’s contributions have meaningfully advanced this college. I am confident that under her leadership we will continue to enrich the student experience.”

Prior to joining Falk, Myers was a development associate in AEA and highly successful as part of the inaugural development associate team established as part of the planning for prospective donor development in the Forever Orange Campaign.

“I am thrilled to have the privilege to support Dean Jordan and advance his vision for the future for Falk College,” says Myers. “I look forward to continuing to build upon the excellent work my predecessor Dave Salanger has already initiated for the college by further developing relationships with alumni, parents and friends of ���ϲ����� that create new opportunities for students and faculty.”

Myers previously worked as a development specialist with the Alzheimer’s Association, Nebraska Chapter, where she managed community-based, volunteer-driven events. In her professional career, she held positions with KLKN-TV in Lincoln, Nebraska, serving as a promotions manager and earning recognition as an Emmy-nominated reporter/anchor. She also contributed as an anchor for the weekend news at KEVN-TV in Rapid City, South Dakota, where she played a key role in achieving notable viewer market ratings.

She recently earned a master of public health from ���ϲ����� and holds a bachelor of arts in broadcast journalism and sociology from The Pennsylvania State University, where she was an Academic All-American and team co-captain for the women’s swimming and diving team.

Myers succeeds David Salanger, who will retire in March. Salanger served 20 years at ���ϲ�����, 18 of those with the Falk College. During that time, he made a transformative impact on the Falk College through alumni engagement, strategic partnerships and critical financial gifts.

Among his contributions, Salanger was instrumental in guiding the generous gift from David B. Falk ’72 and Rhonda S. Falk ’74 that named the college in 2011. In addition, he secured the financial support for the renovation of Falk College Complex, previously the College of Law, in 2015. In the course of his service, Salanger raised over $40 million for the University and Falk College.

Follow for the latest news stories, profiles and podcasts involving our students, faculty, staff and alumni.

Catch up on highlights from ���ϲ����� on its newest channel with stories, profiles and podcasts about our talented students, decorated faculty members, passionate staff members and accomplished alumni.

The channel also features local, national and international press coverage with our faculty experts, staff members and current students that spotlights the University’s network of thought leaders.

LinkedIn’s core audience is working professionals who have a strong affinity for their alma mater, as well as current college students looking for professional advice and networking.

Recognizing that LinkedIn is a tremendous resource for higher education institutions looking to actively engage with and grow their audience, we hope our campus community will follow our LinkedIn account to remain up to date on the latest relevant content produced by ���ϲ�����.

The is a venture of Internal Communications and Media Relations, both in the Division of Communications.

���ϲ����� can also be found on and .

From left: Michael Speaks, dean of the School of Architecture, Barbara Opar, librarian for architecture and French language and literature, and David Seaman, dean of ���ϲ����� Libraries

The award is a 30+ year tradition recognizing Libraries staff who have made a significant contribution to both the Libraries and the broader ���ϲ����� community. A cross-departmental panel of Libraries staff judged nomination entries and selected the recipients based on outstanding service to Libraries’ users, excellence in professional skills and significant contributions to the Libraries’ community. The Distinguished Service Award, which is open to all Libraries employees, allows peer recognition based on nominations, a recommendation from the person’s supervisor and recommendations from at least two members of the University community.

Barbara Opar has been an integral part of the development of King + King Architecture Library, from dedicating the space and shaping its collections, to hiring and training excellent students, and serving daily on the front lines triaging questions from the University community. Faculty in the School of Architecture and French language and literature program highlighted and applauded Opar for her dedication to students over the years through teaching, mentorship ���Ի��� commitment to helping them succeed.

One person wrote in their nomination letter that “Barbara instilled within me a passion for scholarly research that continues to shape my worldview. Like an astute and persistent detective on a case, she showed me how to track down the most minute and hard-to-find items to support my objectives. She served not only as a pragmatic role model, but as a collegial ideal.”

Other contributions that colleagues found notable include Opar’s role in organizing the University’s annual French Colloquium and advocating for underserved voices in the architecture community. Beyond the University, Opar has contributed to the profession across several decades and received prestigious awards such as the Distinguished Service Award from the Association of Architecture School Librarians. One letter of support noted Opar’s 50 years of service to the Libraries and the University.

Tanya Williamson

Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion Mary Grace Almandrez has announced the selection of Tanya Williamson as the inaugural assistant vice president in the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. Williamson, who currently serves as associate director of diversity, equity and inclusion at the Barnes Center at The Arch, will begin in her new role Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024.

As assistant vice president, Williamson will manage departmental operations, budget and planning, and project management of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) Strategic Plan. She will also supervise staff in the following areas: inclusion and belonging, learning and development, and research and assessment.

“Dr. Williamson brings a range of experience and skill to this new role—from her depth of work in DEIA to project management at the University. Her role will be crucial in the implementation of the DEIA Strategic Plan,” Almandrez says. “Through this new role and with her knowledge and background, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion continues to strengthen its mission to make the University a more welcoming place for all.”

Williamson joined the Barnes Center in 2021 and led projects related to DEIA within the integrated center for health and wellness.

“I’m honored to serve in this inaugural role as DEIA has consistently been a significant component of my work. I am most excited about the opportunity to continue my collaborations with staff, faculty and students, which will be essential to advancing the DEIA strategic plan,” Williamson says.

Prior to coming to the University, Williamson, who is also an executive coach and consultant, held several positions at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center and worked as a lead and staff psychologist. She earned a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from SUNY Binghamton, as well as a B.A. in psychology from Michigan State University.

“We were seeking a leader with a strong understanding of leading practices and strategies in DEIA work. Tanya has a keen understanding of DEIA work and a breadth of professional experience in advancing diversity, equity inclusion and accessibility, as core values and critical components of an organization’s culture,” says Dawn Singleton, chair of the search committee and vice president of student transition, access and inclusion in Student Experience.

Other members of the search committee were Elisa Dekaney, associate dean of research, graduate studies and internationalization in the College of Visual Performing Arts and professor of music education; Luis Gomez; Carlee Kerr, graduate assistant in the Office of Diversity and Inclusion; and Craig Tucker, director of the Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program/Student Support Services.

Also recently, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion has welcomed new team members, including Carlee Kerr, graduate assistant, and Kala Rounds, access coordinator. Rounds assists staff and faculty with disabilities and resources, and Kerr supports inclusion and belonging efforts, such as affinity groups, Posse student scholar program support, community-building activities and mentorship programs.

After closing out the regular season with a 35-31 win over Wake Forest on Senior Day inside the JMA Wireless Dome to become bowl eligible, the Orange found out their postseason fate Sunday afternoon.

The ���ϲ����� football team will take on the University of South Florida in the Boca Raton Bowl on Dec. 21.

���ϲ����� (6-6, 2-6 in the Atlantic Coast Conference) will travel to Boca Raton, Florida, to play the University of South Florida (6-6, 4-4 in the American Athletic Conference) in the . The game kicks off at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 21, and will be broadcast nationally on ESPN.

Fans who are interested in making the trip to Florida to cheer on the Orange are encouraged to fill out the . Ticket information will be shared there as soon as it is available.

While Fran Brown was named the 31st head coach in program history on Nov. 28, interim head coach Nunzio Campanile, who led the Orange during their win over Wake Forest, will coach ���ϲ����� during the bowl game.

This year’s squad earned the 28th bowl appearance in program history, with the Orange sporting a 16-10-1 record all-time in bowl games. This will be ���ϲ�����’s first time playing in the Boca Raton Bowl.

The matchup will pit two former Big East rivals who have some history playing each other. ���ϲ����� and South Florida played annually as Big East conference members from 2005-12, and again in 2015 and 2016.

The Orange and the Bulls have met 10 times previously, with ���ϲ����� losing eight of the 10 matchups. The Orange last defeated the Bulls 37-36 on Oct. 27, 2012, in Tampa Bay, Florida.

The Northrop family, from left to right: William, Gabby (William’s wife), Dana, John, Kristen and EJ with grandparents Janet and Ed Heinrich

Two of Kristen’s three sons, William Northrop ’19 and John Northrop ’22, contracted through the , a career path that Kristen says neither she nor her husband anticipated early on. It wasn’t until high school that it became apparent their middle son might follow in the footsteps of his grandfathers and enter military service.

“Both my father and my husband’s father served. My father was in the Air Force; my father-in-law was a Marine. Both were Cold War vets,” says Northrop, assistant director of the Office of Research and Creative Activity at the Newhouse School. “Both our families grew up with an admiration and respect for the military that was obviously passed down to our boys.”

The Northrop brothers came to ���ϲ����� after growing up in nearby Camillus. Kristen had taken a job at the University to take advantage of the dependent tuition benefits offered to employees. Kristen’s husband, Dana, had graduated from the University in 1986 and worked in the Central New York region.

Brothers William (left) and John Northrop participate in a field training exercise with the Stalwart Battalion.

All three of their sons attended the University, but each pursued widely different degrees. Kristen’s oldest son, E.J., graduated from in 2018 and now teaches at the nearby Public Service Leadership Academy at Fowler High School with the ���ϲ����� City School District.

William, her middle son, graduated from the College of Engineering and Computer Science with a degree in civil engineering. John, the youngest of the brothers, graduated with a degree in sociology from the College of Arts and Sciences. Both William and John also contracted with the Stalwart Battalion and are now serving in the U.S. Army as commissioned officers.

“Early in Will’s time in high school, he went to a lacrosse camp at West Point Military Academy. He’s always liked a very structured environment and has a ‘Type A’ personality,” Kristen says. “Later, he went to Boys State and really liked that regiment; the routine and detail of it all but not the politics.”

While the boys attended games and other events on campus while growing up, ���ϲ����� wasn’t an automatic choice for them. During his junior year of high school, William toured the campus and spoke with Eric Schaertl, the recruiting operations officer for Stalwart Battalion. After seeing the resources and opportunities available to students, he solidified his choice for which direction he would go in life.

John was not far behind, entering his freshman year at ���ϲ����� while William was entering his final year of college. The brothers had plenty of opportunity to spend time together on campus. Both competed on the same club lacrosse team, and both were cadets together in the same ROTC detachment.

John wasn’t interested in following in Will’s exact footsteps, though, and worked hard to make sure he wasn’t seen as just the youngest Northrop brother. Kristen recalls that John’s experience was a bit more challenging, as most of his college experience was spent amid hardships of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

“At one point, John was looking at opportunities with other colleges and universities including Texas A&M; he was considering a transfer,” Kristen says. He quickly realized the benefits he was receiving at ���ϲ����� were pretty hard to compete with, referring to the free room and board benefit offered to ROTC cadets who receive the national scholarship.

Kristen says that the boys kept pretty busy throughout their time on campus, limiting how much time she did see them around, but bumping into them from time to time was unavoidable.

“It was, and still is, such a feeling of pride walking around campus, or up to the Quad, and you see the cadets in their uniforms,” Kristen says. “I would run into them on occasion, they took their role as a cadet very seriously. If they came into my office, it was, ‘Yes sir’ or ‘No sir’ to my colleagues and my boss. They were always very respectful.”

John (left) and William Northrop

The level of professionalism is something she says she continues to notice among ROTC cadets. The location of her office has given her opportunities to engage with underclassmen and ROTC cadets alike, both using spaces for group projects or leadership labs.

“It’s not that a bunch of Army cadets can’t ‘yuk it up’ or whatever, but that just wasn’t the case. I could hear their conversations amongst each other, they were very different, always very focused. The ROTC cadets are always respectful to their cadre and professors alike, and they dress appropriately even when not in uniform, always upholding their cadet image.”

Since graduating, both of the Northrop brothers have pursued their dreams of going into Army aviation. William is currently a captain and pilots the AH-64 Apache helicopter; John is currently a lieutenant and has just completed his CH-47 Chinook helicopter flight training. Both, Kristen says, recognize the importance of their background and experience here with ���ϲ�����.

“They understand the importance of the ROTC program to the school, the longevity of the program being here. They talk it up amongst their colleagues with great pride, and I think that both of them would say their training here with Stalwart Battalion prepared them well to launch their careers,” Kristen says.

For more information on the benefits available for aspiring military officers or to learn about the benefits of the Reserve Officer Training Corps at ���ϲ�����, please visit the .

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.

Dermody has 25 years of leadership and management experience in academic libraries and brings an unwavering focus and dedication to advancing the Libraries’ commitment to teaching, learning and student success.

As associate dean for academic success, her portfolio includes access and resource sharing, which provides users with seamless access to needed resources, including circulating collections and equipment, study rooms, interlibrary loan, preservation and alternate format services for accessibility; information literacy, which delivers quality instructional opportunities to advance the University’s teaching and learning; and learning and academic engagement, which supports student achievement and success through services including reference, printing and technology support, outreach and liaison partnerships, instruction, event planning, exhibitions and user experience.

Since joining the Libraries in 2005, Dermody held progressively more senior positions, including most recently as head of access and resource sharing.

Dermody is active in regional and national professional organizations and was named an Association of Research Libraries Intensive Learning Program Fellow for 2023. She was also selected as a member of the University’s inaugural Women in Leadership cohort, and most recently was chosen to chair the University Senate’s Student Life Committee.

“Melinda effectively builds bridges through collaborations and partnerships. She is innovative, collaborative, impactful and dedicated to the success of all our users,” says David Seaman, dean of the Libraries and university librarian. “I look forward to watching Melinda continue to grow as a leader and am delighted to have her as part of the Libraries’ senior leadership team.”

“As the new associate dean for academic success, I am excited to lead a team that is committed to advancing student success, teaching, learning and support of academic efforts across the University, all with a philosophy grounded in diversity, equity and inclusion,” says Dermody. “I believe that the Libraries has limitless opportunities to advance the University’s goals and strategic plan through partnerships and collaboration, in addition to the expertise we bring. The division of Academic Success is made of dedicated and experienced professionals, and I am eager to move us further into the University’s infrastructure to advance students’ thriving.”

What will your main role be?

Ashley Russo-Leone

Ashley Russo-Leone: As assistant director of nutrition management, I will be focusing on developing nutritional programming for campus dining operations, disseminating training to staff and students as it pertains to nutrition and food safety, assisting with recipe creation and approval of menus, working one-on-one with students with special dietary needs/diets and nutrition-related questions, and facilitating relationships between students, managing chefs and dining facility management.

Tell me a bit about your background and past experience; what will you bring to this position that is unique to you?

Russo-Leone: I am coming from Upstate Hospital, so I have a very strong clinical nutrition background. I also used to work in product development and production for very large apparel companies, so I have a wide range of professional experience. Because of this, I can approach my new role with a lot of perspective. I have a lot of experience working as a dietitian, but also have a solid understanding of what goes on behind the scenes.

What drew you to ���ϲ�����? Do you have any special connections to SU or the ���ϲ����� area?

Russo-Leone: I grew up in Dewitt and my whole family lives in ���ϲ�����. I also completed my master’s degree at ���ϲ�����. I lived in Philadelphia and Manhattan for many years and did a lot of traveling around the world before coming back to ���ϲ�����. I love it here, it is my home.

What is your top goal for nutrition management as a part of campus dining and the University community?

Russo-Leone: I want ���ϲ����� to be the gold standard for food service and campus dining. There are so many opportunities to raise the bar and do some really cool, new, and fun things around food and the dining experience. I want our dining facilities to be a place the students are proud and excited to go to with their friends and spend time. I want our meals to be Instagram-picture-worthy and delicious too.

Who is your biggest inspiration? What motivated you to take this career path?

Russo-Leone: I completed my food service rotation with ���ϲ����� Food Services under Ruth Sullivan during my dietetic internship. I immediately knew one day I wanted this role. I loved the idea of both working one-on-one with the students on their dietary needs, while also being able to impact their nutrition on a larger scale by working cross-functionally with the whole University food service team.

What is a quote or philosophy that you live by?

Russo-Leone: This is easy. “All foods fit.” I don’t believe in diet culture and I think all types of foods have a place in our lives, if we want them to. Mealtimes should be enjoyable and food should make us happy AND healthy.

Shawn Loner

Shawn Loner sees his role as helping graduate students navigate their journey at ���ϲ�����—from transitioning to University life to considering post-University careers and everything in between.

Loner, assistant director of professional and career development in the , has worked in the position on a part-time basis, but was recently promoted to a full-time role that includes an expansion of his responsibilities.

His expanded role allows him more time to provide services for students, with a particular focus on teaching assistants (TAs), especially in areas of programming, workshops, classroom observations and consultations. He also manages the TA Orientation and ��and has primary responsibility for the Graduate School’s����and English conversation partner programs. As a member of the career services team, Loner also supports master’s degree students in preparing job application materials and reviews resumes and cover letters.

“Navigating being a graduate student and a teaching assistant, and all the various hats that go along with those roles, can be quite daunting at times,” Loner says. “The Graduate School staff and I are here to make any transitions students are going through smoother and to provide support in all the roles they might be playing.”

“We see ourselves as supporting graduate students from ‘cradle to grave.’ From the time when they come in fresh as new graduate students we give them welcome and support. We provide that support throughout their graduate student career in terms of programming, professional development and the��.”

Loner facilitates several professional development initiatives, including the TA for new teaching assistants and related programming to help graduate students grow as instructors and scholars. Another major area of focus for Loner is to provide career counseling for graduate students nearing degree completion.

“If there is a higher-quality, more comprehensive TA orientation program than what we have at ���ϲ�����, you’ll have to show it to me,” says Glenn Wright, executive director of professional and career development in the Graduate School. “Shawn has been the driving force behind that for many years, and it’s great to be able to bring him on board full time so that other programs and services can benefit from his oversight in the same way. His expanded role will provide additional capacity for our career counseling as well as more flexibility in scheduling those services.”

Loner says he enjoys his work in part because he relates to the students. “Having been a graduate student, I know how exciting and how difficult it can be to be in that position, and in particular to be a teaching assistant. There’s a lot of pressure and a lot of expectations, both on the outside and internally. I like who I’m serving here and I want the students to succeed.”

Castillo and Messersmith will each conduct research projects to advance the priorities outlined in the��.

Jorge A. Castillo

Castillo, director of the LGBTQ Resource Center, plans to develop and implement a trans employee toolkit. “���ϲ����� is committed to being a safe and welcoming campus for all community members, as reflected in its nondiscrimination and equal opportunity policy statement. This includes people of all gender identities and expressions,” says Castillo. “However, to implement this policy, University employees must be provided with the resources necessary to attract, retain and promote the best talent. This includes ensuring that trans and nonbinary individuals are treated with respect and dignity to foster a sense of belonging.”

The trans employee toolkit proposed by Castillo has two target audiences: potential employees or current employees who are trans and/or transitioning (socially and/or medically), and supervisors, managers, co-workers or hiring managers who can ensure that all employees have a sense of belonging at ���ϲ�����. During The D.E.I.A. Symposium, which was presented by the ODI on Oct. 3, Castillo hosted a roundtable along with campus partners to discuss what trans inclusivity looks like in the current political climate that has seen close to 570 anti-trans bills introduced this year alone.

“The toolkit will provide a ‘one-stop-shop’ where folks can find information on updating University systems to reflect their name, pronouns and legal sex designation; suggestions on how to share their identities (should they choose to) with their supervisor and team members; how to navigate trans health if using University insurance; and off-campus resources to access medical services, social and community networks,” says Castillo.

Amy Messersmith

Amy Messersmith, associate director of the Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program and TRIO Student Support Services—part of the School of Education’s —plans to facilitate storytelling through podcasting. “My goal is to tell stories from the campus community that pertain to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility in some way,” says Messersmith. “My hope is to humanize one another through personal storytelling as a way to tap into our shared humanity.”

Messersmith’s proposed pop-up podcast studio will allow her to capture stories anywhere on campus, not just in a specific studio, aimed at fostering inclusion and belonging focusing on students and their lived experiences; administrative offices to humanize and help build connections across campus between staff; and other topics that might emerge out of discussions and meetings that Messersmith has as an ODI fellow.

“The intended outcome for these podcast projects is that it brings us closer together as a campus community and therefore strengthens our sense of belonging and inclusion on campus,” says Messersmith. “In a safe environment, campus community members will share stories in a way that allows the listener to find themselves in each other’s stories. We want to humanize each other across the silos of the University, and we want to tap into our shared humanity as individuals with different backgrounds and identities.”

Messersmith’s vision came to life when she recorded her first episode of the podcast on Sept. 29, at the . “It’s rewarding to see an idea come to fruition. I was able to sit down with some amazing students��to share their stories with openness, honesty and courage,” she says. Messersmith’s plan is to release the podcasts on a monthly basis in the future.

“The projects that both Jorge and Amy will complete as our inaugural administrative fellows align directly with the needs I have heard from campus,” says Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion Mary Grace Almandrez.��“Staff, students and faculty seek inclusion on campus.��Jorge’s toolkit is a tangible inclusion resource, and Amy’s stories will highlight the ways our students and staff find community on campus.”

Melissa Young

Young has been an integral part of the CSCS-EFC team since 2008, previously serving as director of resource conservation initiatives. Throughout her career, she has played a pivotal role in public engagement, outreach, education and technical assistance initiatives. Her programmatic effort was previously focused on sustainable materials management, encompassing such crucial aspects as waste reduction, reuse and recycling. In her new position, Young will expand her scope to include initiatives related to water and wastewater infrastructure, particularly for rural and underserved populations, which she had worked on when she was first hired at ���ϲ�����.

The shift in leadership comes as CSCS-EFC celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2023. Since 1993, CSCS-EFC has used a unique community-based approach to assist hundreds of municipalities across EPA Region 2, which includes New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and eight Native Nations. CSCS-EFC provides essential training and brings together a variety of governmental and nonprofit actors to collaborate on sustainability issues, including water infrastructure management, water equity, climate resiliency, resource conservation and sustainable materials management.

Since 2015, CSCS-EFC has been awarded $15.75 million in federal, state and local grants to support communities by providing tools, technical assistance, outreach and education, research and more.

“This is an exciting time for the University’s CSCS-EFC as it continues to lead the way in developing solutions for communities across EPA Region 2,” says J. Cole Smith, dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science. “Melissa’s background and track record of proven results and positive impact will be essential to taking CSCS-EFC to even greater heights.”

“I am honored and deeply committed to lead our organization’s efforts to catalyze positive change and foster environmental stewardship, while engaging deeply with communities across our region and beyond,” says Young. “Together with our dedicated team and partners, we will continue to innovate and expand our impact, working to create a more sustainable and resilient future for all.”

Christine Ashby, professor of inclusive special education and disability studies and director of the Center on Disability and Inclusion, has been named faculty representative to the board by the provost, in consultation with the University Senate Academic Affairs Committee. Speaks, Foley and Ashby will all serve two-year terms.

In addition, four new student representatives to the board have also been named: Dylan France ’24 and William Treloar ’24, undergraduate student representatives; Qingyang Liu, graduate student representative; and Nathanael Linton, law student representative.

These representatives of the campus community bring diverse backgrounds and insights to the Board and its various committees and will be vital voices in helping the University implement strategic objectives in support of its mission and vision.

Faculty and Staff Appointments ��

Michael Speaks, Academic Dean Representative to the Board

Michael Speaks

Before joining ���ϲ�����, Speaks was dean of the College of Design and professor of architecture at the University of Kentucky from 2008-13. As former director of the graduate program at the Southern California Institute of Architecture in Los Angeles, Speaks has taught in the graphic design department at the Yale School of Art, and in the architecture schools at Harvard University, Columbia University, The University of Michigan, UCLA, Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, and the Berlage Institute and TU Delft, in the Netherlands.

Speaks has published and lectured internationally on contemporary art, architecture, urban design and scenario planning. His essays and exhibitions in the 1990s were among the first to introduce a new generation of Dutch architects and planners to a broader audience in North America. He has also played an important role in recent debates about city branding and alternative models of city planning, authoring a series of essays and advisory studies, as well as overseeing scenario studies commissioned by city and regional governments in the United States, Europe and Asia.

Speaks is serving the first year of a two-year term as academic dean representative during the 2023-24 academic year. He participates, ex officio, on the Board Academic Affairs Committee and reports to the Board at Executive Committee and full Board meetings.

Christine Ashby, Faculty Representative to the Board

Christine Ashby

Ashby is a professor of inclusive special education and disability studies and the director of the Center on Disability and Inclusion, a research center that promotes the inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of school and society—both locally and globally. She has also served as coordinator of undergraduate and graduate programs leading to certification in childhood and special education. Since joining the School of Education faculty in 2007, her teaching and research has focused on inclusive education, communicative diversity, disability studies and inclusive teacher preparation, with specific emphasis on the experiences of autistic and neurodivergent students. Her work seeks to disrupt dominant notions of disability as deficiency and underscores the importance of centering the voices of disabled people in research and practice.

Ashby earned an undergraduate degree from the State University of New York College at Geneseo and a master’s in special education, certificate of advanced study in disability studies and Ph.D. in special education from ���ϲ�����.��She was an inclusive special education teacher before beginning her university career.

Ashby recently served as co-chair of the Public Impact Working Group for the Academic Strategic Plan and was a member of the Academic Affairs Committee of the Senate from 2018 to 2023. She was also selected as a member of the inaugural Women in Leadership cohort.

Ashby is serving the first year of a two-year term as faculty representative during the 2023-24 academic year. She participates, ex officio, on the Board Academic Affairs Committee and reports to the Board at Executive Committee and full Board meetings.

Kati Foley, Staff Representative to the Board

Kati Foley

As project director and administrative assistant to the dean, Foley is responsible for administering strategic projects for the College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) and directing the daily operations of the Office of the Dean and the college. She provides high-level analyses and recommendations on facility utilization, strategic budget and long-range planning, policies, programs and new and ongoing initiatives for the college.

Prior to joining VPA in 2007, Foley worked at the Maxwell School for Citizenship and Public Affairs for 10 years, managing the U.S. office of the Luxembourg Income Study, headquartered at the University of Luxembourg. This cross-national data center acquires datasets with income, wealth, employment and demographic data from many high- and middle-income countries, harmonizes them to enable cross-national comparisons, and makes them publicly available to researchers.

Foley earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Ithaca College.

Foley will serve the first year of her two-year term as the staff representative during the 2023-24 academic year. She participates, ex officio, on the Board of Advancement and External Affairs Committee and reports to the Board at Executive Committee and full Board meetings.

Student Appointments ��

Dylan France, Undergraduate Representative to the Board

Dylan France

France is a senior studying finance and real estate in the Martin J. Whitman School of Management, where she is a Whitman Leadership Scholar and a member of the ��Renée Crown Honors Program. She is minoring in global political economy in the Maxwell School. France is passionate about finance and was recently promoted to senior analyst in the Orange Value Fund.

Beyond her schoolwork, France is an active member of the ���ϲ����� community. She previously served as the president, internal secretary and a founding ���ϲ����� Black Student Union member. She is involved in the ���ϲ����� Student Association as comptroller and a University Senate member. In these capacities, France acts as a voice for her fellow students and advocates for change. She believes in financial reporting and transparency and is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility initiatives and creating equitable University policies.

France serves as one of two undergraduate student representatives for the 2023-24 academic year, her second year in the role. She participates, ex officio, on the Board Enrollment and the Student Experience Committee and reports to the Board at Executive Committee and full Board meetings.

William Treloar, Undergraduate Representative to the Board

William Treloar

Treloar is a senior studying economics and policy studies in the College of Arts and Sciences and the Maxwell School and is currently the president of the Student Association. Treloar previously served as speaker of the assembly for the Student Association. He is also a class tutor and a Phanstiel Scholar. In his time at ���ϲ�����, he has focused on organizing campus events, as well as community service opportunities.

Treloar serves as one of two undergraduate student representatives for the 2023-24 academic year. He participates, ex officio, on the Board Enrollment and the Student Experience Committee and reports to the Board at Executive Committee and full Board meetings.

Qingyang Liu, Graduate Representative to the Board

Qingyang Liu

Liu is a graduate student in the Department of Human Development and Family Science (HDFS) in the Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics. She was elected as the graduate student representative to the HDFS Graduate Committee and Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics Promotion and Tenure Committee in 2022-23. Liu is an international student from Guangzhou, China, who pursued an undergraduate degree in psychology at San Francisco State University from 2016-18 and a master’s degree in educational psychology and methodology at the State University of New York at Albany from 2018-20. She is conducting research in Professor Rachel Razza’s SELF Regulation lab with a focus on examining the longitudinal association between early poverty and the developmental trajectory of self-regulation within cognitive, social and emotional domains from early childhood to adolescence.

Liu serves as the graduate student representative for the 2023-24 academic year. She participates, ex officio, on the Board Academic Affairs and Enrollment and the Student Experience committees and reports to the Board at Executive Committee and full Board meetings.

Nathanael Linton, Law Student Representative to the Board

Nathanael Linton

Linton is a third-year law student in the College of Law. There he is a member of the Travis H.D. Lewin Advocacy Honor Society, both the national trial competition team as well as the appellate competition team. He is also a research assistant to Professor William C. Banks. He is the managing editor of the Journal of Global Rights and Organizations. Before coming to the College of Law, Linton served on the Board of Trustees at his undergraduate college, Pace University. There, he served on the Academic Affairs subcommittee. His board obligations were accompanied by several other leadership responsibilities, including serving as the honors college president and student representative of the Northeast Regional Honors Council.

Linton serves as the law student representative for the 2023-24 academic year. He participates, ex officio, on the Board Academic Affairs and Enrollment and the Student Experience Committees and reports to the Board at Executive Committee and full Board meetings.

“Technology is the backbone for faculty research, scholarship, creative work and collaboration; for educating our students in bold and different new ways; and for competing in tomorrow’s world,” says Chancellor Syverud. “���ϲ����� is taking bold steps in technology strategies and investments, and we need a dynamic and visionary leader to head our technology strategy and infrastructure. I am confident in this search committee’s ability to identify an outstanding chief information officer who will help propel ���ϲ�����’s digital and technology capabilities to exceed the needs and expectations of our students, faculty and staff.”

The committee will be led by Jeff Rubin, special advisor to the chancellor on esports and digital transformation and professor of practice in the School of Information Studies. Chancellor Syverud will serve on the search committee given the critical importance of the chief information officer role. Other members include:

1. Sharon Barner ’79, University Trustee
2. Candace Campbell Jackson, senior vice president and chief of staff
3. Nick Donofrio G’71, H’11, Life Trustee
4. Brett Padgett, senior vice president and chief financial officer
5. Gretchen Ritter, vice chancellor, provost and chief academic officer

The goal of the committee is to complete the search by the end of the Fall 2023 semester with the new chief information officer beginning early in 2024. Korn Ferry, an executive search firm with expertise in higher education, will support the search.

Established in 1930 as a home for all faiths and place for all people, Hendricks Chapel has witnessed significant increases in student engagement in recent years and has responded with the placement of new chaplains and development of new chaplaincies to advance academic excellence at a university welcoming to all.

The Rev. Brian E. Konkol, dean of Hendricks Chapel since 2017, says diverse and dynamic chaplains are of great importance for the University community: “As confidential and trusted advisors, University chaplains accompany students of diverse religious, spiritual, moral and ethical identities and experiences. While drawing from their distinctive traditions and practices, chaplains are called upon to serve all people by building community, exploring belief, offering guidance, leading rituals, facilitating cooperation and providing care.”

Hendricks Chapel is now host to 15 chaplains and 27 religious and spiritual life groups. To connect with a chaplain, please visit the Chaplains Suite on the lower level of Hendricks Chapel, call 315.443.2901 or visit .

About the New Chaplains

Daren Jaime

Pastor Daren C. Jaime, Christian Protestant Chaplaincy, Historically Black Church

Pastor Daren C. Jaime moved to ���ϲ����� 17 years ago and hails from Harlem, New York. His ministerial journey began in 1994, when he acknowledged his call to ministry at the Saint Frances A.M.E. Zion Church in Port Chester, New York. He is currently the senior pastor at People’s A.M.E. Zion Church in ���ϲ����� and is very active in the local community. Pastor Jaime has also been privileged to reach a global community as an award-winning journalist, educating minds across the world through his former radio show “Power Perspectives” and his weekly live television broadcasts of “Perspectives” and “Open” on Bronxnet. You can reach Pastor Jaime at dcjaime@syr.edu.

William Payne

Rev. William Payne, Christian Protestant Chaplaincy, Fellowship of Christian Athletes

In March 2018 Rev. William Payne was appointed as campus director of the University’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). Payne started playing baseball at an early age, sustained a love of sports throughout his youth in Maryland, and continues to blend athletics and ministry. After graduating from Liberty University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1996, he went on to graduate from Baptist Bible Seminary in Pennsylvania in 2004. He served as a pastor in Michigan and ���ϲ����� before joining the FCA. Payne is enthusiastic about ministering alongside students of the campus community. You can reach him at wmpayne@syr.edu.

Dave Schubert

Reverend Doshin David Schubert, Buddhist Chaplaincy, Zen Center of ���ϲ�����

Reverend Doshin David Schubert was ordained as a Rinzai Zen Buddhist monk in 1994. He is currently the head monk at the Zen Center of ���ϲ�����. Schubert was born in ���ϲ����� and graduated from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF) with a degree in environmental and forest biology and later received a master’s degree, also from SUNY ESF, in forest entomology. After years of working at Beaver Lake Nature Center and Burnet Park Zoo, he retired in 2023 to join the Hendricks Chapel team and spend more time with his wife, two daughters, four dogs, three cats and two guinea pigs! You can reach him at dschub01@syr.edu.

It’s also a place students can learn, thrive and develop into leaders.

, the University’s new assistant vice president for student living, is excited to lead a team responsible for helping students find their community and realize their potential through their housing experiences.

In January, Herndon came to ���ϲ����� from the University of Dayton with a reputation as a respected leader in residential education, housing and student development, combining the valuable ways residential living both builds a strong community and impacts a student’s holistic development.

Steve Herndon, assistant vice president for student living, discusses how his team helps students reach their full potential and the profound role residential living plays on campus.

“My job is essentially creating a structure that clearly defines our contributions and approach to how we’re going to partner with students in their learning and development, around community engagement, around identity and belonging and around health and safety,” Herndon says. “These are all critical experiences and values for our students’ success at the University.”

On this “’Cuse Conversation,” Herndon discusses how his team helps students reach their full potential, why ���ϲ����� was the perfect fit for the next chapter in his career as a leader in higher education and the profound role residential living plays on campus.

Check out podcast featuring Herndon. A transcript [PDF]��is also available.

Seán Horsford

recently appointed Seán Horsford ’10, G’23 as digital media librarian in the Department of Digital Stewardship. In this new role, Horsford will be the principal visual media specialist helping to manage the Libraries’ significant audiovisual media assets, ensuring persistent access to primarily digital holdings. He will also be responsible for ensuring compliance around accessibility for the Libraries’ locally created audiovisual collection and will work with colleagues on descriptive metadata for digital media objects, coordinating outsourcing and assisting in preparing files for ingestion into the Libraries’ digital preservation system.

Prior to this new role, Horsford worked in various departments in the Libraries as a graduate student for two years while pursuing his master’s from the School of Information Studies. He received his bachelor’s degree from the College of Visual and Performing Arts in Transmedia-Film. Horsford previously worked as a media archivist/production assistant and then archivist/assistant producer in the video production units of ���ϲ�����’s Information Technology Services and Marketing.

2023 Campus Peace Officer recruits with instructors (front row left to right: Matthew Patire, Pised Yoeun, Johnathon Wazen and Samantha Nagen; back row left to right: Alex Hitchcock, Ivan Cruz, Montague Kreis, Sgt. Adam Wheeler, Officer Patsos and Officer Dishaw)

Earlier today, families, friends and colleagues of the Department of Public Safety (DPS) Campus Peace Officer Academy recruits gathered together to celebrate their graduation. The ceremony, held at Drumlins Country Club, was an opportunity to reflect on their accomplishments but also look forward to the journey that awaits them.

“I believe that an officer’s job is more than just a craft and a profession. It is a career and a calling. Throughout your career, you will have the opportunity to make an impact on people’s lives,” said Craig Stone, associate vice president and chief of the DPS, while addressing the friends and families of the recruits.

The graduates joining the ���ϲ����� DPS are:

• Montague Kreis
• Samantha Nagen
• Johnathon Wazen
• Pised Yoeun

The graduates joining the Ithaca College DPS are:

• Ivan Cruz
• Alex Hitchcock
• Matthew Patire

“Anytime we have held an academy, there is a sense of pride and accomplishment that you feel as it wraps up,” says Sgt. Adam Wheeler, academy director, “I’m proud of the growth that I saw from this group over the past several months.” This is now the seventh time that the Department of Public Safety has held its own peace officer academy.

During the ceremony, in addition to the badge pinning and certificates being distributed, special honors were given to a few of the graduates, including Montague Kreis and Johnathan Wazen, who received performance-based awards, while Matthew Patire was honored as the Valedictorian of the class.

The newest DPS graduates will now begin their time as field training officers, working side-by-side with veteran DPS officers as they complete the required 480 hours of training before becoming fully qualified officers and officially complete the training program.

The University’s Department of Public Safety provides round-the-clock protection to the ���ϲ����� campus. Through various patrol and crime prevention efforts, DPS partners with students, faculty and staff to identify, recognize and eliminate crime hazards and risks within the campus community.

Prior to this new role, Giles worked as a library technician in LAE for seven years, providing reference services to students and patrons, leading efforts to support student employees and participating in outreach activities. She also worked for three years in the access and resource sharing department.

Giles has a bachelor’s degree from Rhode Island School of Design, master’s degrees from Boston University, Harvard Divinity School and ���ϲ�����, and is currently pursuing a fourth master’s degree in library and information science from the School of Information Studies.

In addition to her work in the Libraries, she previously served as an instructor for both First Year Seminar and the Department of Religion and as a teaching mentor for the Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistants Program.

Tracy Barlok

Barlok

Barlok joined ���ϲ����� in September 2022 as special advisor to the chancellor on advancement and external affairs. She was appointed interim chief advancement officer earlier this year. Barlok came to ���ϲ����� from the College of the Holy Cross, where she was vice president for advancement for ten years. With three decades of experience in higher education, she quickly transitioned to the Orange community, successfully advancing the strategic priorities identified in the and cultivating immediate relationships with high-impact donors and supporters.

“Tracy stepped into her interim role at a critical juncture of the Forever Orange Campaign and has had an immediate and profound impact,” says Chancellor Syverud. “The Forever Orange Campaign is the most dynamic and ambitious fundraising campaign in the University’s history and requires a leader like Tracy to help bring it over the finish line. I am grateful for Tracy’s leadership and look forward to successfully closing out the campaign with her as my partner.”

Citing the passion and spirit among the Orange community, Barlok says she is inspired by the special people she has encountered at ���ϲ�����.

“The energy and loyalty among alumni and friends are intense, vast and inspiring,” says Barlok. “Harnessing that energy and focusing it on the completion of the Forever Orange Campaign vision is a responsibility that can only be described as both moving and humbling. It is a privilege to lead the advancement team here and to work with so many wonderful volunteers, donors, faculty, staff and trustees. They all have a tremendous commitment to this incredible institution and, most important, to our students.”

During Barlok’s tenure at Holy Cross, the college raised more than $510 million for a range of initiatives, including new and renovated building projects, faculty and student support, financial aid, and athletics. Barlok led the design and execution of the largest and most successful fundraising campaign in Holy Cross history, which raised more than $420 million for strategic priorities. While at Holy Cross, the college continuously ranked in the top 10 across all U.S. colleges for highest percentage of alumni participation.

Prior to her time at Holy Cross, she served as Skidmore College’s associate vice president, and before that was director of the college’s successful $200 million comprehensive campaign. Barlok began her career in advancement at Colgate University, where she served as the director of alumni affairs, director of special gift programs and special assistant to the president. She earned a B.A. in English from Colgate University.

Gabe Nugent

Nugent

Nugent currently serves as interim general counsel, a role he’s held since Daniel J. French announced his return to full-time private practice. Nugent joined the ���ϲ����� community in 2014 as deputy general counsel. In this role, Nugent was responsible for managing several complex issues for the University, including as it relates to NCAA compliance and enforcement, Title IX, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and many others.

“Gabe has proven himself to be an invaluable leader and advisor on the difficult issues facing higher education,” says Chancellor Syverud. “He is a thoughtful, steady and talented attorney who brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his new role. The University is in great hands with Gabe at the helm of the Office of University Counsel.”

“The issues facing universities and colleges have grown more and more complex over the years,” says Nugent. “The Office of University Counsel is staffed with individuals who have broad experience and capacities, necessary to manage the ever-changing compliance environment and the federal and state regulations that govern higher education institutions. I have been proud to work alongside them and am thrilled to take on this leadership position.”

Nugent will be leaving Barclay Damon LLP, where he has practiced for more than 17 years. He serves as co-chair of its White Collar and Government Investigations Practice Area, representing businesses and individuals in matters involving health care fraud, federal and state tax issues, insider trading, securities laws, environmental crimes, import and export control, the False Claims Act, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, mail and wire fraud, cybercrime, public corruption, procurement fraud, mortgage fraud, and offshore assets. In 2023, New York State Gov. Kathy Hochul appointed Nugent as the chairperson of the New York State Judicial Screening Committee for the Appellate Division, Fourth Department, and as a member of the New York State Judicial Screening Committee. Nugent completed his legal studies at Brooklyn Law School and graduated with the class of 1998.

“We’re delighted that Nicolette has decided to assume the role full-time, given her outstanding experience and history with SCRC,” said , the University Librarian and Interim Dean of the School of Information Studies. “Nicolette has been an instrumental leader at the Libraries. She is well respected by the Libraries staff as well as colleagues across campus. She is engaged and committed to continuous development and has numerous accomplishments over the course of her tenure with the Libraries.”

Nicolette A. Dobrowolski, Director of Special Collections Research Center (SCRC) at ���ϲ����� Libraries.

Dobrowolski has more than 22 years of experience in the field of academic special collections and has held the position of assistant director of collections and access services at SCRC since 2016. Dobrowolski’s substantial administrative leadership and team-building experience, in-depth knowledge of and drive to increase the visibility of SCRC’s collections and activities, commitment to preserving rare and unique collections, along with cultivating innovative programming and donor relations ensures that SCRC will continue to be a strong and visible resource for SU students, faculty, staff and the local and global communities.

“I am honored and excited to lead such an expert and creative team in the Special Collections Research Center. One of my values as a leader in the special collections field is to continue to build on reparative archival initiatives surrounding collections, services, programs and outreach to the campus and local communities. With SCRC’s triple mission of serving students, faculty, staff and other campus constituencies through teaching, exhibitions, and research; providing access to SCRC collections to our global community; and preserving our collections for generations to come, we can take an active role in correcting, where we can, the gaps in the documented history of marginalized voices and historically underrepresented groups while also actively communicating and educating why these gaps exist. I look forward to continuing the Center’s meaningful work within the Libraries and the Coalition of Museum and Art Centers (CMAC), and with the broader campus community and beyond.”

Dobrowolski received a master’s of science in information studies from the University of Texas at Austin and has been active in the rare book and manuscript section of the Association of College and Research Libraries within the American Library Association. She has progressively invested in her management portfolio by participating in the University’s Women in Leadership program, the ARL Library Management Skills Institute and the Special Collections Leadership program at the University of Virginia’s Rare Book School, among others.

Most recently, Dobrowski was instrumental in building SCRC’s staff and operations post-pandemic, advocating for the Libraries Module 2 Storage Facility—which was designed to provide optimum environmental conditions for the storage and preservation of unique, rare, and fragile items from SCRC—and worked closely with Libraries Advancement for the expansion of the in-house Joan Breier Brodsky ’67 G’68 Conservation Lab.

Richie Graham, a member of the Facilities Services maintenance team, was among those honored at the One University celebration in April for milestone anniversaries. (Photos by Angela Ryan)

When Richard (Richie) Graham came to ���ϲ����� from South Carolina in 1972, he was following family and better job opportunities. Little did he know, he would plant roots here and be celebrating his 50th anniversary at ���ϲ�����.

Graham, a member of the Facilities Services maintenance team, was among those honored at the One University celebration in April who marked milestone anniversaries in 2022. He was honored during a reception before the ceremony, and with the presentation of a certificate during the ceremony by Chancellor Kent Syverud, during which Graham received an extended standing ovation.

Graham joined the University community on Sept. 25, 1972, as a laborer. He worked as a groundskeeper and maintenance mechanic before settling into his current role. He works the 3:30 to midnight shift, responding to emergent campus needs, including flooding, stuck elevators and lockouts. No two calls are alike… and over the past five decades he has developed a photographic memory of campus buildings. “I’ve learned every nook and cranny of this place…you have to,” Graham says. “You never know what call you are going to get.”

A humble man, he has great memories of working through the years with his teams—those who work behind the scenes at the University to keep the physical plant running. Many of those friends have retired or passed on. Can he believe it’s been 50 years? “No, I can’t,” Graham says.

Over the years, Graham has developed a reputation as a “go-to” guy for difficult or challenging calls, and as a mentor to the younger team members working their way up. His co-workers are often in awe of his knowledge of where things are located across campus.

Richie Graham, a member of the Facilities Services maintenance team, and Pete Sala, vice president and chief campus facilities officer, at the One University reception in April

“Richie has been a member of the night crew for years. He is a wealth of knowledge and our go to for any unusual calls we have on campus—chances are he has dealt with it before,” says his supervisor, Dan Hanford. “He has an amazing memory if we have a breaker out or need to find something in any one of the numerous buildings across campus. Richie is the one in the shop we call. He is a great guy who has an incredible sense of loyalty and dedication to the University.”

What advice does Graham offer his younger co-workers? “Learn your keys,” he says, producing a master key ring.

Does he think about retirement?�� “I do,” Graham says. But for now, he is focused on his family (he and his partner, Jean Dupree, have five children, including Tonya Davis, a graduate of Utica University, and four grandchildren), and on coming to work each day.

Members of the Center for Disability Resources staff. (Photo by Monika Mihajlovska)

Each year, the�� recognizes faculty and staff members for their work in advocating for students and supporting the center in its mission to empower students, enhance equity and provide a platform for innovation and inclusion.

This year the center received 43 nominations from students who wanted to acknowledge a faculty or staff member who made a difference in their academic lives.

“Elevating the voices of our students, along with promoting disability inclusion as everyone’s responsibility, is an important subtext to the awards,” says Paula Possenti-Perez, director of the Center for Disability Resources.

Many of the nominations had recurring themes: faculty and staff nominees provided guidance and support, were understanding and went above and beyond expectations to provide accommodations.

Since its inception in 2015, the center has honored individuals at an annual in-person event, except during the pandemic. “It’s a chance to gather and connect with faculty and staff from around the University and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry at the end of each semester and celebrate the work and caring that everyone puts into their work,” says Possenti-Perez. “It is always moving when students share their experiences, and the nominated faculty and staff are given a rare and public opportunity to be acknowledged.��We often only hear the complaints, what went wrong, and not the good stuff like we do during this ceremony.”

The CDR staff hopes the awards are affirming and motivational to the rest of the community—and expand on the understanding that creating an inclusive and accessible environment is the responsibility of the entire campus and goes beyond compliance.

This year’s faculty and staff members being recognized are the following:

• Alec Barbour, acting instructor in the College of Visual and Performing Arts, for his understanding, patience and support of students enduring mental health challenges.
• Gabriela Bermudez, student success advisor in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, for her caring guidance and support of students in need of academic support.
• Emily Brown, assistant teaching professor in the College of Law, for guiding a student during a challenging situation, for listening and validating the student’s feelings and encouraging them to advocate for themselves and sharing the appropriate resources to do so.
• Brian Ehret, part-time forensic science instructor in the College of Arts and Sciences, for his passion to share knowledge about his field in a manner in which the students understand but also takes the extra steps to help accommodate those who need extra assistance and motivates them to succeed.
• Britt Eversole, assistant professor in the School of Architecture, for his respectful and clear communication with students and exceptional understanding of disability-related difficulties affecting student performance in the classroom.
• Jenny Gluck, retired associated chief information officer for academic services, for tirelessly working to advance accessibility for all University employees and students.
• Laura Lape, associate professor in the College of Law, for fostering a classroom environment where students with disabilities feel comfortable learning.
• Dana Olwan, associate professor in the College of Arts and Sciences, for her understanding, compassion and guidance for her students and taking the time to assist them with their struggles.
• Kathleen Roland-Silverstein, associate professor of applied music and performance in the College of Visual and Performing Arts, for encouraging and supporting students to overcome barriers posed by their disabilities.
• Mary Thompson, math instructor at SUNY ESF, for encouraging students who struggle to persevere in an understanding matter and creating a learning environment that was interesting, fun and made connections between the classroom and real-world examples.
• Bradley Gorham, chair of the communications department in the Newhouse School of Public Communications, for his support of all students by making education accessible to students who are struggling with illness, regardless of whether they have accommodations or not.

As far back as the Revolutionary War, women had fought for liberty and freedoms they themselves, as women, could not benefit from. Passing the integration act officially recognized women as a part of the military, but there were still heavy restrictions that limited their career opportunities.

In 2013, 65 years after integration, women were authorized to enter jobs placing them on the front lines—a place they were already serving in the decade prior of conflict in Afghanistan and Iraq.

In honor of the 75^th Anniversary of the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act, we proudly acknowledge and celebrate the contributions women from ���ϲ�����’s military-connected community have made through service. Several of them share their thoughts on the significance of, and their contributions to, the legacy of women in the military below.

Colleen Drum – U.S. Marine Corps Veteran

Drum served in the U.S. Marine Corps as a field radio operator from 2003-07. She says she joined for the adventure of seeing the world and to gain a sense of greater purpose. She now works as a program manager for the ’ (IVMF) Onward to Opportunity career training program.

Drum says that her military service taught her to be reliable, consistent and meticulous about planning. “I gained confidence in myself to know I can adapt and tackle anything that comes my way,” Drum says.

She says she’s proud to see the advancements women have made in the military, but also looks forward to seeing the positive accomplishments that will be made in the future.

“Women are powerful and by encouraging and empowering our strengths I believe the U.S. will continue to be the strongest military force in the world,” she says.

2^nd Lieutenant Liz Green – U.S. Air National Guard

Green is the executive director for with the College of Professional Studies. She recently completed the U.S. Air Force’s Officer Training School, having earlier in the year.

Her decision to join was influenced by her experiences with speaking about the University’s online programs for Air Force personnel at nearby Hancock Field.

“I spent a lot of time on the base, meeting with people like prospective students at least once a week. I had a connection with some of the wing leadership, so I was fortunate to have the opportunity to talk to them about the work I was doing,” says Green. “As that conversation meandered, they had an opportunity in public affairs they said would be a good fit, and the rest is history.”

Working in public affairs makes her aware of the issues facing the military today, including the ongoing effort for the inclusion of women within the military. Green says she’s already been exposed to some influential women, however.

“I am fortunate to have been inspired and supported by the women at my current unit, the 174^th Attack Wing, as well as the female trainees and instructors at Officer Training School. I hope to demonstrate even the tiniest bit of the leadership and resilience they have shown. It is through demonstrating such qualities that female service members can continue to empower positive change for the next generation,” says Green.

Kari Mickinkle ’11, G’20 – U.S. Marine Corps Veteran

Mickinkle is a school certifying official with the University’s . She supports military-connected students by handling the necessary administration between the University and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

From 2012-17, Mickinkle served in the U.S. Marine Corps, assigned to the military police. She says she joined looking for a sense of purpose she had not found in life, and thought doing something unexpected would help her find it.

Mickinkle says that while she has seen positive changes for women in the military, she wants to make sure that women are being given a seat at the table not just because of a “check-the-box” mentality, but because women have earned it.

Her time in the service was influenced by other women who went before her, and she recalls a particular mentor that taught her a lot about leadership.

“I had a female first sergeant who knew the appropriate times to educate versus going straight into chewing someone out,” says Mickinkle. She was impressed by the woman’s ability to make it clear she wasn’t someone to cross.

“To do that in an organization where you don’t see a lot of female leadership, especially on the enlisted side, was just awe-inspiring,” Mickinkle says.

Amanda Gritsavage LaLonde ’23 – U.S. Navy Veteran

LaLonde recently finished her undergraduate studies at ���ϲ����� and was selected as a in 2022. She graduated from the College of Arts and Sciences with a bachelor’s of science in psychology and forensic science and now works as a program coordinator for the IVMF’s Community Navigator Pilot Program.

LaLonde served in the U.S. Navy from 2005-14 as a Machinist Mate Second Class in the Navy, she says one of the first lessons she learned during her nuclear engineering training has stuck with her.

“It was the 6 Ps: Prior Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance,” says LaLonde. She says it reminds her to plan ahead to keep disappointments at a minimum.

LaLonde’s great aunt, Alice Gritsavage, retired from the U.S. Army as a colonel and served as an inspiration for her decision to join the military.

“My great aunt served during World War II and the Korean War and was appointed by General Douglas MacArthur as Chief Nurse of the Far East Command,” says LaLonde. “She was able to obtain medical supplies and equipment when they were scarce during the war. She is also the first woman to have a VFW [Veterans of Foreign Wars] Korean War Veterans chapter named in her honor.”

During her time in the Navy, LaLonde says she experienced plenty of moments where being a woman resulted in her being passed up for advancement opportunities. Enlisted women were not able to serve on submarines until the year after she left the Navy.

“Women can now serve aboard submarines, In 2022 the first female executive officer of a submarine was appointed, as well as the first enlisted female chief of a submarine, serving as senior enlisted advisor to the commanding and executive officers,” says LaLonde. “These are huge milestones for women in the Navy, but there can certainly be more progress made.”

Patricia Piazza – U.S. Navy Veteran

Patricia Piazza served in the U.S. Navy from 1982-2002, retiring after 20 years of service as a Navy leadership facilitator. She is currently the Florida military community program manager for .

During her time in the Navy, Piazza found her passion for career development and training, something that continues to benefit her to this day as she helps service members navigate the complexities of transitioning out of military service.

Piazza served at a time when the military had placed a cap on how many women could serve, fearing substantial readiness issues if it allowed too many women into the ranks.

Known as the “Woman Pause” of the 1980s, the policy limited women’s representation in the military to 2% of the total armed forces, and each military branch was limited to a single commissioned officer at the 0-6 rate.

Piazza acknowledges that the military has advanced in opening doorways for women, but there is still work to be done.

“I think the military has made some progress since I was on active duty however, my daughter is now serving on active duty and she is still facing the same stereotypes and biases I did in equality and fairness on evaluations, billet options and career enhancement opportunities against her male counterparts within her command,” Piazza says.

Mast Sergeant Jennifer Renee Pluta G’15 – U.S. Army Reserve

Jennifer Pluta runs within the University’s Office of Veteran and Military Affairs (OVMA). She has served with the U.S. Army Reserve since 1999 and continues to serve as an Army Reserve career counselor.

Her overlap in career counseling helps her develop and maintain crucial relationships with the University’s hiring partners and companies actively seeking veterans for their workforce.

“I am privileged to serve as an Army Reserve career counselor, which has impacted my career at ���ϲ�����. This role has uniquely positioned me to understand the skills and experiences of student veterans, specifically having the ability to see how their experiences transfers into their desired career paths,” says Pluta.

She has observed extensive changes in the military and how restrictions have been lifted on women over the course of her career. She recalls how women like Lieutenant General Jody J. Daniels, the command general of the U.S. Army Reserve Command, navigated historically unforeseen challenges within today’s Army Reserve.

“Today’s Army is one that has opened up the doors of opportunity for female soldiers, opportunities that once were limited to male soldiers,” Pluta says.

As part of the initiative to make ���ϲ����� the best place for veterans, the University routinely observes and recognizes significant anniversaries in military history, and celebrates the accomplishments of its military-connected community. For more information, visit the .