Academic Strategic Plan Launch Symposium Set for Sept. 26
Following a yearlong planning and development process involving hundreds of members of the campus community, “Leading With Distinction,” Syracuse University’s new academic strategic plan, was unveiled earlier this month.

A launch symposium will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 26, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in the K.G. Tan Auditorium, National Veterans Resource Center at the Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello Building. In-person attendance is strongly encouraged; a Zoom option is available for those not on campus.
Chancellor Kent Syverud will offer welcoming remarks.
Vice Chancellor, Provost and Chief Academic Officer Gretchen Ritter will host the event, which is the first of what will become an annual symposium allowing the campus community to examine and refine the plan. Provost Ritter will discuss the process of developing the plan and next steps for implementation.
Rick Burton, David B. Falk Endowed Professor of Sport Management in the Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics, will discuss his experience leading a study abroad program at Mount Everest.
Duncan Brown, vice president for research, will moderate a panel discussion on the expansion of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) at Syracuse. Panelists include:
- Julie Hasenwinkel, Laura J. and L. Douglas Meredith Professor of Teaching Excellence and chair of the Department of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering in the College of Engineering and Computer Science;
- Miguel Guzman, a senior biotechnology major and entrepreneurship and emerging enterprises minor in the College of Arts and Sciences and the Whitman School of Management; and
- Joe Nehme, senior manager of external affairs, Micron Technology.
Sophie Creager-Roberts, a senior dual major in environment, sustainability and policy and history and minor in atrocity studies in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, will share her study abroad experience and the ways it impacted her education.
Marcelle Haddix, associate provost for strategic initiatives, will discuss engaged citizenship and public impact in conversation with Margaret Talev, Kramer Director of the Syracuse University Institute for Democracy, Journalism and Citizenship, and J. Michael Haynie, vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation, Barnes Professor for Entrepreneurship, executive director of the Institute for Veterans and Military Families and executive dean of the Whitman School.
Robin Howard, director of Syracuse University’s Los Angeles Academic Semester Program, will speak about the impact of study away opportunities for students.
During the final portion of the program, Provost Ritter, together with Haddix, Brown and Jamie Winders, associate provost for faculty affairs, will answer audience questions.
Communication Access Real-time Translation (CART) and American Sign Language (ASL) translation will be provided. For more information, contact Pamela Young at pyoung01@syr.edu.