A&S Associate Dean David Potter to transition to half-time role

A&S Associate Dean David Potter to transition to half-time roleNovember 15, 2007Rob Enslinrmenslin@syr.edu

David Potter, associate dean for student services in Syracuse University’s College of Arts and Sciences since 1996, will leave his current role, effective June 30, 2008, and continue as an associate dean in a half-time position, providing academic advising and administrative support for both The College and University. A national search is under way for a permanent successor.

“Dave has led our Student Services Division through a remarkable era of transformation,” says Dean Cathryn R. Newton. “He is widely admired, locally and nationally, for his academic student services expertise and for his well-informed views on academic policy issues. We will miss him in this leadership role of The College.”

As associate dean of A&S’ largest division, Potter oversees academic advising and counseling services, career exploration services, preprofessional advising and the student records office. He is also a member of the dean’s cabinet, serving as a crucial administrative link to other schools and colleges on campus and to SU’s Division of Student Affairs.

“Dave Potter is that rare citizen of the University who understands perfectly how to bring the best of administrative and faculty resources to bear on the most difficult problems facing students and the institution,” says Barry L. Wells, senior vice president and dean of student affairs. “He is an invaluable bridge between academic pursuits and the out-of-the-classroom experience, and understands fully the need to provide the very best of access and support to every student. The University is a far better place for his involvement, and his will be a lasting legacy of benefit to our students.”

In his new capacity, Potter will participate in the training and implementation for academic advising and counseling, and will continue to serve on SU’s Academic Coordinating Committee, University Appeals Board, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee and the Senate Committee on Women’s Concerns, and will be the A&S representative in matters concerning academic integrity. “Dave will remain a strong and effective voice in the University on issues of women’s concerns, salary equity, academic integrity, staff grievance processes and the values of liberal arts education,” says Newton, who also is transitioning to a new role in A&S in June.

Potter rose to become associate dean after serving as director of A&S’ Academic Advising and Counseling Services from 1989-97. Prior to working at SU, he was an advisor and then assistant director of the University of Iowa’s renowned academic advising division, preceded by two decades as dean and then vice president of Haverford College. He also held prominent teaching and administrative positions at Kennett High School and the Devereux School, both in Pennsylvania. His many affiliations and memberships include serving as chair, vice chair and director of the American Conference of Academic Deans and as vice chair of trustees of the William Penn Charter School in Philadelphia.

As SU’s oldest and largest college, A&S is home to more than 4,000 undergraduates and 590 faculty members. More information is available at http://TheCollege.syr.edu.