Academic Leadership

Steven Bennett

Steven BennettSteven Bennett joined the University as senior vice president for Academic Operations in 2017. He also serves as chief of staff in the Office of Academic Affairs, overseeing academic operations for administrative units that report to the Office of the Provost, including Syracuse Abroad and satellite facilities around the U.S. and the globe. He works closely with the provost and their leadership team on academic unit budgeting, personnel management, communications, advancement and strategic planning.


Duncan Brown

Duncan BrownDuncan Brown is the vice president for research and Charles Brightman Endowed Professor of Physics. He earned his Ph.D. in physics from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and spent three years at Caltech as a post-doctoral scholar, where he was mentored by Nobel Prize laureates Kip Thorne and Barry Barish before joining Syracuse University in 2007. Brown is an internationally recognized leader in gravitational-wave astronomy and astrophysics and was integral to the discovery of gravitational waves by the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO).


Marcelle Haddix

Marcelle-HaddixMarcelle Haddix serves as associate provost for strategic initiatives. In this capacity, she partners with Vice Chancellor, Provost and Chief Academic Officer Gretchen Ritter and others to connect Academic Affairs with the campus and surrounding community. She is the primary liaison to the University Senate and oversees the First Year Seminar and University-wide arts and humanities affiliates and programs.


Chris Johnson

Chris JohnsonChris Johnson is associate provost for academic affairs. In this capacity, he partners with other academic affairs leaders to support key academic initiatives and advance Syracuse University’s vision and mission as outlined in the Academic Strategic Plan.


Roberta “Bobbi” Jones

Roberta JonesRoberta “Bobbi” Jones is the assistant provost for strategic planning and budget. Her primary responsibility is to serve as chief budget officer for Academic Affairs and to serve as advisor to the Vice Chancellor and Provost on strategic planning and initiatives.


Zhanjiang (John) Liu

John LiuZhanjiang (John) Liu serves as vice president for international strategy. Liu facilitates meaningful international partnerships to create new opportunities in research, scholarship and creative work, and to drive undergraduate and graduate enrollment—both on Syracuse University’s main campus and locations abroad.


David Seaman

David SeamanDavid Seaman is dean of libraries and university librarian at Syracuse University. He leads a talented library staff to deliver the services and collections necessary to drive 21st-century research, teaching, and learning, and to provide innovative spaces for study, collaboration, and innovation.


Peter Vanable

Peter VanablePeter Vanable was appointed associate provost for graduate studies and dean of the Graduate School in January 2017. He served as interim vice president of research from January 1, 2016 to August 31, 2017. Vanable is a professor of psychology and adjunct professor of medicine at SUNY Upstate Medical University.


Erika Wilkens

Erica WilkensErika Wilkens is assistant provost and executive director of the University’s Syracuse Abroad program, overseeing all aspects of the day-to-day operations of Syracuse Abroad, including academic programming, personnel, compliance, budget and real estate. Wilkens plays a key role in developing a long-term strategic plan and advancing the University’s vision and commitment to internationalization.


Ryan Williams

Ryan WilliamsRyan Williams is the University’s vice president for enrollment services. In this role, he oversees the Office of Admissions, the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarship Programs, the Enrollment Processing Center, the Office of Institutional Research and the Student Employment Office.


Jamie Winders

Jamie WindersJamie Winders serves as associate provost for faculty affairs. In this capacity, Winders partners with Vice Chancellor, Provost and Chief Academic Officer Gretchen Ritter and other academic affairs leaders to support key faculty initiatives and advance the University’s vision and mission as outlined in the Academic Strategic Plan.