Shannon Hitchcock Schantz, Ph.D. (she/her/hers)
Director
Shannon Hitchcock Schantz joined the First Year Seminar as director in May 2023. She is a higher education professional with 17 years of experience working on college campuses across New York State. She completed a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and biophysics at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), a master’s degree in higher education at Teachers College, Columbia University, and a doctorate in higher education at Syracuse University. She previously worked in residence life at Barnard College, Hamilton College and RPI.
During her studies at Syracuse, Schantz served as a teaching assistant for the College Learning Strategies course. Her dissertation research focused on an intersectional examination of the impact of classroom climate in engineering on women’s academic outcomes. In her most recent position as student life director/Title IX coordinator at PrattMWP College of Art and Design, an extension campus of Pratt Institute, she oversaw residence life, student activities and leadership, health and counseling, and accommodations, and spearheaded the college’s retention efforts and academic support.
Jimmy Luckman (he/him/his)
Associate Director
Jimmy Luckman first came to Syracuse University in August 2019, where he served as the program coordinator for New Student and Family Program in the Division of Student Experience. Luckman transitioned to Academic Affairs in July 2021, where he served as the program coordinator during the inaugural year of FYS 101, supporting operational aspects of FYS 101, communicating with Lead Instructors and Peer Leaders, and managing leadership development opportunities. Before coming to Syracuse University, Luckman earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology, with a double minor in women and gender studies and African and African American studies from SUNY Brockport, and a master’s degree in counseling and student affairs from Northern Arizona University. Luckman is currently a doctoral student, studying LGBTQ+ students’ sense of belong and the phenomena of queerbaiting on college campuses. During his time at Syracuse University, Luckman has been an FYS 101 Lead Instructor, C.A.R.E. Facilitator and has been a part of the Queer Mentorship Program.