Thematic Groups

Six Thematic Groups focus on key aspects of “Leading With Distinction”: Curricular; Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA); Research Transformation and STEM Expansion; Enrollment Innovation;  Veterans; and Entrepreneurship. Each of the Thematic Groups is led by a chair and a lead or co-leads, who also serve on the Steering Committee.

Curricular Thematic Group:

  • Julie Hasenwinkel, associate provost for academic programs (chair)
  • Mark Lodato, dean, Newhouse School of Public Communications (co-lead)
  • Michael Speaks, dean, School of Architecture (co-lead)
  • Thomas Barkley, professor and director, M.S. in finance program, Martin J. Whitman School of Management
  • Rick DiRubbo, director of online learning, College of Engineering and Computer Science
  • Petra Hejnova, director of curriculum, Syracuse Abroad
  • Robin Howard, director, Newhouse LA
  • Ling Gao LeBeau, director of international student success, College of Arts and Sciences and Maxwell School
  • Seyeon Lee, George Miller Quasi Endowed Professor, College of Visual and Performing Arts
  • Aesoon Park, professor and director, Ph.D. program in clinical psychology, College of Arts and Sciences
  • Gwen Pough, associate dean for diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility and Dean’s Professor of the Humanities, College of Arts and Sciences
  • Miranda Traudt, assistant provost for arts and community programming
  • Ken Walsleben, professor, Whitman School
  • Erika Wilkens, assistant provost and executive director, Syracuse Abroad
  • Pamela Young, director of academic strategic plan implementation

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) Thematic Group:

  • Elisa Dekaney, associate provost for strategic initiatives (chair)
  • Mary Grace Almandrez, vice president for diversity and inclusion (co-lead)
  • Peter Vanable, dean, Graduate School (co-lead)
  • Noura Allen, director of diversity and inclusive excellence, College of Professional Studies
  • Renate Chancellor, associate dean for diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility, School of Information Studies
  • Diane Crawford, executive director of institutional culture, Whitman School
  • Carrie Ingersoll-Wood, director, Diversity Cultural Center
  • Brian Konkol, dean, Hendricks Chapel
  • Jing Lei, associate dean for academic affairs, School of Education
  • Suzette Meléndez, teaching professor, College of Law; Faculty Fellow, Office of Strategic Initiatives
  • Adia Santos, student, College of Arts and Sciences and Maxwell School
  • Shannon Hitchcock Schantz, director, First Year Seminar
  • Dawn Singleton, vice president of student transition, access and inclusion
  • Pamela Young, director of academic strategic plan implementation
  • Doug Yung, associate teaching professor and director, biomedical engineering, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Research Transformation and STEM Expansion Thematic Group:

  • Duncan Brown, vice president for research (chair)
  • Behzad Mortazavi, dean, College of Arts and Sciences (co-lead)
  • Cole Smith, dean, College of Engineering and Computer Science (co-lead)
  • Eliana Abu-Hamdi, associate dean for research, School of Architecture
  • Elisa Dekaney, associate provost for strategic initiatives
  • Hamid Ekbia, University Professor and director, Autonomous Systems Policy Institute, Maxwell School
  • Beth Ferri, associate dean for research, School of Education
  • Emily Hart, science librarian and research impact lead, Syracuse University Libraries
  • Regina Luttrell, associate dean for research, Newhouse School
  • Margaret Talev, director, Syracuse University Institute for Democracy, Journalism and Citizenship
  • Janet Wilmoth, professor and director, Aging Studies Institute, Maxwell School
  • Pamela Young, director of academic strategic plan implementation

Enrollment Innovation Thematic Group:

  • Ryan Williams, vice president for enrollment services (chair)
  • Michael Frasciello, dean, College of Professional Studies (co-lead)
  • David Van Slyke, dean, Maxwell School (co-lead)
  • Benjamin Akih-Kumgeh, associate professor and undergraduate program director, aerospace engineering, College of Engineering and Computer Science
  • Lori Brown, distinguished professor, School of Architecture
  • Rockell Brown Burton, associate professor, television, radio and film, Newhouse School
  • Kelly Campbell, University Registrar
  • Mike Goode, William P. Tolley Distinguished Teaching Professor in the Humanities, College of Arts and Sciences
  • Maurice Harris, dean of admissions
  • Kristin Repice, associate director for enrollment, tuition and financial aid
  • Peter Vanable, dean, Graduate School
  • Margaret Voss, associate professor and undergraduate director, nutrition and food studies, David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics
  • Pamela Young, director of academic strategic plan implementation

Veterans Thematic Group:

  • Jamie Winders, associate provost for faculty affairs (chair)
  • Kelly Chandler-Olcott, dean, School of Education (lead)
  • Maureen Casey, chief operating officer, D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families
  • Thomas Constable, associate director of defense programs, Whitman School
  • Kyle Dailey, assistant vice president for student experience
  • Jennifer DeLucia, assistant professor and chair, creative arts therapy, College of Visual and Performing Arts
  • Joseph Ditre, professor, College of Arts and Sciences
  • Liz Green, executive director of online student success, College of Professional Studies
  • Jeanine Irons, director of institutional culture, Syracuse University Libraries
  • Elizabeth Kubala, teaching professor and executive director, Betty and Michael D. Wohl Veterans Legal Clinic, College of Law
  • Kenneth Marfilius, assistant dean of online and distance education, Falk College
  • Robert Murrett, teaching professor and deputy director, Institute for Security Policy and Law, Maxwell School
  • Ron Novak, executive director, Office of Veteran and Military Affairs
  • Theodore Walker, assistant professor, College of Engineering and Computer Science
  • Pamela Young, director of academic strategic plan implementation

Entrepreneurship Thematic Group:

  • Alexander Deyhim, Kenneth and Mary Ann Shaw Professor of Practice in Entrepreneurial Leadership, College of Engineering and Computer Science (co-lead)
  • Alex McKelvie, interim dean, Martin J. Whitman School of Management (co-lead)
  • Christina (Chris) Eiffe, associate vice president for academic operations
  • Noura Allen, director of diversity and inclusive excellence, College of Professional Studies
  • Kristen Aust, director of career advising, College of Arts and Sciences
  • Sean Branagan, director, Center for Digital Media Entrepreneurship, Newhouse School of Public Communications
  • Kelly Campbell, University Registrar
  • Bing Dong, professor, College of Engineering and Computer Science
  • Meghan Florkowski, director, WISE Women’s Business Center, Whitman School of Management
  • Traci Geisler, director, Blackstone LaunchPad
  • Brian Gerling, executive director, Innovation Law Center, College of Law
  • Gary Girzadas, executive director, Corporate and Foundation Relations
  • Kim Hagadorn, director, bursar and registration, College of Professional Studies
  • Maria Minniti, Bantle Chair in Entrepreneurship and Public Policy, Martin J. Whitman School of Management
  • Rodney Paul, professor, Falk College
  • Eric Sedore, associate vice president for information technology and chief technology officer, Information Technology Services
  • Anthony Terrinoni, technology program manager, CASE Center
  • Raymond Toenniessen, vice president for strategic initiatives and innovation, D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families