Newsletter — Office of the Provost

Thursday, May 30, 2024
Volume 2, Issue 8

OK, I’m late getting this out, as it’s already the end of May and many of us have switched into summer mode. However, there have been a number of developments over the last several weeks that I wanted to share. I hope that you will take the time to read this last newsletter of the academic year, perhaps on your patio while enjoying the sunshine and warmer weather.

Academic Affairs reimagined

As expected, this has been a whirlwind over the past few weeks, as we’ve been working to get input on the draft plan that was distributed at the end of April. I met with the Organizational Effectiveness Task Force on May 9th, who suggested some changes to the proposal, but also that I meet with the chairs from EHHS. Fortuitously, there was an EHHS unit heads meeting on May 13th, which Dean Hernandez graciously allowed me to co-opt, and at which I received additional input. This has resulted in a new draft plan that can be found on our website, which includes the evolution of the proposal. Cabinet has also reviewed the proposal and provided input for consideration.

We had great turnout for the open forums, with over 200 participants, and received outstanding input and critical questions on the proposal. I have started the process of addressing those questions by connecting with our human resources staff so that we can develop draft position descriptions for Deans, Associate Deans, and Assistant Deans. I am also planning to meet with select Department Chairs during the summer to get an initial sense of the underlying structure (including where we need Associate Chairs and program coordinators). I also have meetings scheduled with the Business leadership team and with UUP and CSEA leadership.

There is a lot of work to be done this summer, but I am optimistic that we will get this completed so that I can present further updates and answers to these outstanding questions in early September. That should provide sufficient time during the 2024-25 academic year to complete this process in a way that will minimize disruptions to students, faculty, and staff for possible implementation beginning in Fall 2025.

Career Design Center

I am pleased to announce that Emily Marchese has accepted our offer to join SUNY Brockport as the Director of our newly renamed Career Design Center. Emily joins us from George Washington University and has previous experience at Nazareth University. I want to thank Rey Sia and members of the search committee for their hard work and dedication in completing this important search.

We have renamed our career services unit to more effectively indicate the expanded role that we anticipate career awareness will have within the curriculum. Emily will work closely with Stephanie Learn, who will continue as Associate Director, to ensure that we can continue to provide the traditional career services while also expanding our capabilities. Further efforts to better integrate student employment into the overall landscape of the student career experience are also envisioned.

We are fortunate to have received additional support from SUNY that will allow us to continue to fund student internships, as well as providing support for students with financial need who might otherwise not be able to take advantage of this opportunity. We are fortunate to have a great team in the career services area, and will take advantage of additional SUNY incremental funding to further expand our staffing, providing the resources needed to support this expanded vision.

Departmental meetings

Under the category of better late than never, I was able to conclude my meetings with all academic departments this month. Since I ask the department to set the agenda for these meetings, each one is a little different, but each one is informative and beneficial for me. I am looking forward to continuing these departmental meetings next year and will work to get them completed earlier in the academic year.

While not departmental meetings, I have been fortunate over the past few weeks to participate in several other events across the University. I was able to attend the EDC Scholarly conference in early May and talk to many students who were presenting their projects. I was also pleased to participate in the English Graduate Studies Symposium and the 50th anniversary celebration for our MPA program. Prior to commencement, I had the pleasure of attending the ROTC commissioning ceremony, the Nursing pinning ceremony, and the Honors College recognition. Each of these events serves as a reminder of how talented our students are, and how dedicated faculty and staff are to the success of our students.

Faculty hiring

I am pleased to report that we had 10 successful searches for new faculty who will begin in Fall 2024 and that Cabinet approved my proposal to conduct 15 searches for new faculty to be hired for Fall 2025. I have already notified Deans, who have shared the information with department chairs. Positions approved include nine in Arts and Sciences, six in EHHS, and one in Business. These hires will replace faculty who have left or retired in critical disciplinary areas, as well as support new growth in other areas as identified by the strategic analysis completed under Linda Delene a few years ago.

Congratulations

First and foremost, congratulations to all our students who graduated this year. Commencement was a tremendous recognition of their outstanding accomplishments, and the hard work of our faculty and staff in helping our students to achieve this important milestone in their lives. If you ever doubt the importance of what you do, just take advantage of the opportunity to participate in commencement, watch our students walk across the stage, and listen to the joy of their friends and family as they celebrate their students’ success. You really do make a difference.

Congratulations also go out to our Presidential Teaching Excellence Award recipients who were announced at commencement and all our Chancellors Award recipients who were recognized during our recognition dinner, as well as other faculty and staff who were recognized for their amazing support of our students. Special congratulations to Kathy Peterson who was named a SUNY Distinguished Service Professor, our 33rd honoree.

Finally

As I conclude my second year as Provost, I want to express my appreciation to each and every one of you for all of your efforts. I know that it has been a busy two years. We’ve made great progress in making Brockport a better place for our students. None of this is possible without all your contributions and input.

We also have many things in the works that will allow us to continue to grow and adapt to the changing needs of our students and the changing higher education landscape. Change is hard, but it is necessary to maintain the vibrancy that is SUNY Brockport. I look forward to working with you next year, seeking your wisdom and your input, and we continue to evolve as an institution. Thank you for all you do, and have a great summer.