Mary Ann Fraser, assistant provost for budgetary affairs in Syracuse University’s Office of Academic Affairs, has announced her retirement, effective Oct. 1, following a distinguished career that spanned more than 30 years at the University.
As a senior administrator in Academic Affairs, Fraser played a key role in coordinating all aspects of the planning and oversight of budgets for the unit. She also assisted the vice chancellor on many major projects, notably playing a key role in bringing Responsibility Center Management to the campus and in supporting new deans and school/college budget managers. Additionally, Fraser helped coordinate searches for deans and other administrators in Academic Affairs.
Fraser has been with the University since July 1980. A former grade-school teacher, she began as a temporary employee and was offered a full-time position the same day. Prior to joining Academic Affairs in 1985, she held various positions in The College of Arts and Sciences, providing key administrative roles in both the dean’s office and in the honors program. Over the years, she also mentored many undergraduate students as they transitioned from high school to the University
“Mary Ann mentored many in Academic Affairs, including me, and took on more projects than one could imagine,” says Vice Chancellor and Provost Eric F. Spina. “She would always take the time out to help others no matter how busy she was, and always had a smile and friendly word for all at SU. We wish her the very best as she retires and begins a new chapter of her life with her husband.”
As part of this transition, Spina announced that Roberta “Bobbi” Jones has been named assistant provost for strategic planning and budget. Jones has most recently served as assistant provost for interdisciplinary programs, working with the vice chancellor on strategic organizational and interdisciplinary initiatives, and serving as a member of the Responsibility Center Management (RCM) committee. In this new role, Jones will work with the vice chancellor on strategic budget planning and management for Academic Affairs, and collaborate with Academic Responsibility Centers to identify new strategic initiative and entrepreneurial opportunities. She will also serve as primary liaison with the Office of Budget and Planning to coordinate fiscal matters related to and budgetary support of Academic Affairs.
“I am thrilled that Bobbi Jones will assume this new role, which will be somewhat different than Mary Ann’s,” says Spina. “Bobbi is an entrepreneurial leader herself and is well known and liked across campus. I know that her new relationship with the schools and colleges and the Budget Office will help advance the University as a whole.”
