Syracuse University

Eric Spina is Syracuse University's chief academic officer, holding the dual title of Vice Chancellor and Provost. Prior to his appointment in January 2007, he had spent almost 20 years at Syracuse in teaching, research and administration and a brief term as Interim Vice Chancellor and Provost. He had been the Douglas D. Danforth Dean of the L.C. Smith College of Engineering and Computer Science.  He leads academic efforts to create new, collaborative relationships and synergies that facilitate the University's dynamic and effective pursuit of its vision, Scholarship in Action. These collaborations include partnerships involving every school and college at SU and hundreds of organizations and individuals from the public, private, and non-profit sectors in the City of Syracuse, across Central New York, and in every locale where the University maintains a presence. The goal of these partnerships is to optimize opportunities for research and creative activities by the faculty, energize education for students, and make a difference in the world. In spring 2009, the University Senate resoundingly endorsed the importance of this bold vision for the faculty when this institution-wide deliberative body unanimously adopted changes to the faculty manual that provide rigorous means to incorporate public scholarship into the tenure and promotion processes.  You can contact him by calling (315) 443-2494. Click for more information on Eric Spina.

Karen "Kal" Alston is the Associate Provost for Academic Administration. As Associate Provost, Kal is responsible for a variety of administrative and academic matters, including tenure and promotion protocols, academic personnel issues and accreditation processes. In addition, she plays an integral role in the University's transition to the Responsibility Center Management (RCM) budgetary system. Kal also holds the position of Professor of Education and Women's Studies. She began at the University in August of 2005 after serving as the director of the Gender & Women’s Studies program and as associate professor of philosophy of education at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Kal can be reached at (315) 443-2744.

Sandra “Sandy” Hurd is the Associate Provost for Academic Programs. She is responsible for promoting and strengthening undergraduate curricula, instruction, and advising, as well as developing innovative interdisciplinary, inter-college, and all-University Programs through collaboration and cooperation among campus units. Sandy has direct oversight for the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment, Project Advance, the Academic Integrity Office, the Office of Undergraduate Studies, the Tutoring and Study Center, and the Office of Disability Services, as well as the University’s Learning Communities academic programs.  Sandy also holds the position of Professor of Law and Public Policy and is a core faculty member of the Renee Crown Honors Program. She has a B.A. in English from Wells College and a J.D. in Law from Syracuse University. Sandy can be reached at (315) 443-1899.

Bruce Kingma is the Associate Provost for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and a Professor in the School of Information Studies (iSchool). As associate provost, he is responsible for leading the Syracuse Campus-Community Entrepreneurship Initiative, a collaborative partnership made possible by a five-year, $3 million grant from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. As a professor and associate dean in the iSchool, Kingma has worked with the faculty, staff, and students to start the award winning Web-based Information Science Education (WISE) consortium; the Preparing Librarians for Urban Schools (PLUS) program; the Women in Technology (WIT) student group; and the Orange Council for Leadership in the Information Professions (Orange CLIP) employer advisory group.  Kingma's research has focused on the economics of information, including the economics of online education, digital libraries, scholarly publishing, and library and nonprofit management. Kingma received a Ph.D. degree in economics from the University of Rochester (1989) and a B.S. degree in economics with honors from the University of Chicago (1983).

Marilyn Higgins is the Vice President of Community Engagement and Economic Development at Syracuse University, responsible for the Connective Corridor and Near West Side Initiative Projects.  She is President of the Near West Side Initiative, Inc. Board, a member on the Board of Directors of the Syracuse Center of Excellence in Environmental and Energy Systems, the CNY Regional Alliance, the Morrisville College Foundation, and the Syracuse Chamber of Commerce. Past honors and awards she has received include Post Standard Woman of Achievement, Rhea Ekel Clark Citizenship Award, Spirit of American Women Award and SUNY’s Distinguished Alumni Award.  Marilyn can be reached at (315) 443-8052

Mary Ann Fraser is the Assistant Provost for Budgetary Affairs. Her primary responsibility is to oversee all aspects of budget planning within Academic Affairs. She has been with the University since July 1980 and has held various positions in the College of Arts and Sciences up until 1985 when she moved to the Office of the Vice Chancellor and Provost. Mary Ann can be reached at (315) 443-3691.

Roberta “Bobbi” Jones is the Assistant Provost for Interdisciplinary Programs.  Her primary responsibility is to work with the Vice Chancellor on strategic organizational and interdisciplinary initiatives and to serve as a member of the Responsibility Center Management (RCM) committee.  She can be reached at (315) 443-2055 or by mail at 700 University Ave, 4th floor, Syracuse, NY 13244

Patricia Stith is the Assistant Provost for Equity and Inclusion.  Patricia has served as an academic advisor and administrator for most of her career in academia.  Prior to becoming Assistant Provost for Equity and Inclusion, Stith served as Associate Dean of the Graduate School at Syracuse University and was Project Manager for the Central new York Alliance for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (CNY-PR-AGEP).  Before coming to Syracuse, Stith was Director of Retention Studies at Florida State University, a position she held for 17 years.  She also has directed and coordinated several National Science Foundation projects designed to promote increased participation of underrepresentted minorities in the STEM subjects--science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.  Stith earned a bachelor's degree in history from Norfolk State College in Norfolk, Virginia.  She holds master's degrees in history from Carnegie-Mellon University and instructional technology from Syracuse University.  She earned her Ph.D. degree in instructional systems at Florida State University.  She can be reached at (315) 443-0287.

Bronwyn Adam is the Director of Faculty Development. She is responsible for coordinating activities and services for faculty including new faculty welcome and orientation, support for faculty success in teaching, scholarly and creative work, and on-going professional development opportunities for faculty, including department chairs, and recognition and celebration of faculty work through University award programs. Bron’s experience at Syracuse includes teaching in the University Writing Program and work as a teaching and evaluation consultant in the Center for Support of Teaching and Learning—now the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment. She holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from Syracuse. Her scholarly work has focused on faculty cultures and institutional and organizational change. Bron can be reached at (315) 443-5413, or by mail at 503 Crouse-Hinds Hall, Syracuse, NY 13244.

Suzanne Barch is the Executive Assistant for the Vice Chancellor and Provost.  She serves as the principal administrative coordinator for the Vice Chancellor’s office as well as liaison to internal and external constituencies.  Suzie can be reached at (315) 443-2494, or by mail at 500 Crouse-Hinds Hall, Syracuse, NY 13244.

Rochelle Brimmer is the senior administrative assistant for Associate Provost Kal Alston.  her responsibilities include being the first line of contact for the Office of Academic Administration and managing key projects in support of the academic mission.  Rochelle can be reached at (315) 443-5525, or by mail at 503 Crouse-Hinds Hall, Syracuse, NY 13244.

Lisa Cregan is the administrative secretary in the office of Academic Administration.  Her responsibilities include maintaining faculty data such as faculty appointments, tenure status, retirements/resignations, emeritus status, and leave of absences.  Lisa can be reached at (315) 443-2744, or by mail at 503 Crouse-Hinds Hall, Syracuse, NY 13244.

Esther Gray is the Special Assistant to the Vice Chancellor and Provost.  Her main responsibilities include coordinator of the University Lectures with the Associate Provost, support of dean searches, Vice Chancellor initiatives and task forces, and event planning for the Provost.  Esther can be reached at (315) 443-2941, or by mail at 500 Crouse-Hinds Hall, Syracuse, NY 13244.

Julie O'Connor is the Academic Human Resources Specialist in the Office of Academic Administration.  She worked in the Office of Student Support and Retention for the GEAR-UP program prior to moving to Academic Administration.  She works directly with the Director of Academic Human Resources in communicating faculty processes and guidance to the various academic units.  Her responsibilities also include working with the Adjuncts United part-time faculty union.  Julie can be reached at (315) 443-5525, or by mail at 503 Crouse-Hinds Hall, Syracuse, NY  13244.

Renee Roth is a Budget Analyst for the Office of Academic Affairs.  Her primary responsibility is to assist the executive assistant for budget as well as counsel Academic Affairs budget personnel on questions and concerns regarding budget issues.  Renee can be reached at (315) 443-4069, or by mail at 500 Crouse-Hinds Hall, Syracuse, NY 13244..

Denneva Sopp is the Administrative Assistant in the Office of Academic Affairs.  Her primary responsibility is to provide secretarial support and assistance to the Vice Chancellor and Provost and the Vice Chancellor’s Executive Assistant.  Other responsibilities include the exchange of information with internal departments and external organizations as well as coordinating travel arrangements and meeting schedules for the Vice Chancellor. Denneva can be reached at (315) 443-1728, or by mail at 500 Crouse-Hinds Hall, Syracuse, NY 13244.

Sonya Williams is Director of Academic Human Resources in the Office of Academic Affairs.  This position was created to work in collaboration with the Associate Provost for Academic Administration to support faculty.  Sonya acts as the liaison between Academic Affairs and the Office of Human Resources on matters relating to employment policy, training, benefits, faculty conflict resolution and the Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (HERC). She received her B.S. Psychology from Fordham University and attended New York University for a M.A. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology.  She can be reached at (315) 443-9095, or by mail at 503 Crouse-Hinds Hall, Syracuse, NY  13244.