Skip to main content
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • Videos
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Library
    • Research
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Campus & Community
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • |
  • Alumni
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
Sections
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • |
  • Alumni
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • Videos
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Library
    • Research
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Campus & Community

College of Arts and Sciences Appoints First Operations Director

Thursday, October 4, 2018, By Rob Enslin
Share
College of Arts and Sciences

Matthew Kennedy to oversee planning, implementation of A&S’ strategic initiatives

Matthew Kennedy

Matthew Kennedy

The College of Arts and Sciences (A&S) continues to build administrative efficiency with the appointment of a director of operations and administration.

Matthew J. Kennedy has assumed the newly minted role, responsible for executing the college’s Academic Strategic Plan and increasing operational effectiveness. He reports to A&S Dean Ruhlandt and works closely with Budget and Finance Director Andrea Persin.

“Matthew brings extensive experience to A&S in managing the day-to-day functions of a successful liberal arts college,” says Ruhlandt, referring to Kennedy’s previous tenure at Bryn Athyn College, north of Philadelphia. “He understands the structures, procedures and policies needed to support the smooth running of many units. Matthew is a key member of our senior management team.”

Kennedy is excited to build on his experiences at Bryn Athyn, where he served in variety of progressing roles. He began in 2010 as director of athletics, charged with developing a growth plan that was part of the college’s strategic initiative. In late 2015, Kennedy became vice president for business development and athletics. Two years later, he moved away from his athletics-related duties to focus solely on Bryn Athyn’s daily operations as vice president of operations and business development.

The former psychology major says he takes a strategic approach to operational efficacy.

“Everything I do supports the A&S Academic Strategic Plan,” says Kennedy, who began his career as assistant athletic director of Neumann University, where he also earned a master’s degree in strategic leadership. “Only by enhancing our infrastructure can we promote academic, professional and personal growth. This, in turn, engenders pride in A&S and fosters a culture of success.”

In addition to overseeing the planning and implementation of the college’s strategic initiatives, Kennedy manages a variety of nonacademic programs, including ones benefitting student retention and the undergraduate experience.

“As the largest academic unit on campus, A&S accounts for more than a third of the University’s undergraduates. We provide services that support their transition to college, increase retention and decrease their time to graduate,” says Kennedy, who recently earned a certificate from Harvard University in management and leadership in higher education. “To do this, we must help faculty and staff deliver the best student experience possible.”

The excitement for growth at Bryn Athyn assisted Kennedy and the administration to raise more than $45 million for capital projects and growth initiatives during his eight years there.

Before that, Kennedy led Neumann’s $1.8 million athletic department through a rebranding process, as well as created the university’s first student-athlete monitoring program.

“Matthew knows how to identify, promote and implement strategies that improve institutional effectiveness,” Persin says. “I am excited to help him drive growth in revenue, while fulfilling our academic vision.

  • Author

Rob Enslin

  • Recent
  • Eight New Recruits Begin Campus Peace Officer Academy
    Thursday, May 19, 2022, By Christine Weber
  • Media Tip Sheet: Consequences of China Lockdown
    Thursday, May 19, 2022, By Vanessa Marquette
  • Dean Rajiv ‘Raj’ Dewan to Step Down as Dean of the School of Information Studies
    Thursday, May 19, 2022, By News Staff
  • 2022 Graduates Reflect on Service as Academic Coaches
    Thursday, May 19, 2022, By Ellen de Graffenreid
  • Funding Expands for Newhouse Professors’ Work on Technology to Combat Fake News
    Wednesday, May 18, 2022, By Wendy S. Loughlin

More In Campus & Community

Eight New Recruits Begin Campus Peace Officer Academy

Seven new recruits were sworn into the Syracuse University campus peace officer academy today by Syracuse Police Chief Joe Cecile. Cecile performed the swearing in of the academy recruits as an official welcome and endorsement of the joint law enforcement…

Syracuse University, JMA Wireless Announce Naming Rights Partnership, Usher in the JMA Wireless Dome Era

Syracuse University and JMA Wireless (JMA) today announced a 10-year partnership for naming rights of the University’s iconic on-campus stadium. For the first time since the venue opened its doors in 1980, the stadium will have a new name, only…

2022 Graduates Reflect on Service as Academic Coaches

Josh Eimbinder ’22 struggled during his sophomore year at Syracuse. The sport management major wasn’t earning the grades he needed. “In high school, they didn’t teach me how to study—they just hand you the work. I went to my advisor…

Center for Fellowship and Scholarship Advising Team Helps Match Students With Unique Experiences That Enhance Their Studies

When it comes to applying for nationally competitive scholarships and fellowships, the team at the Center for Fellowship and Scholarship Advising (CFSA) offers a wealth of knowledge and resources for undergraduate and graduate students and recent alumni. Located on the…

COVID-19 Update: Public Health Protocols for Summer 2022

Dear Students, Families, Faculty and Staff: With the 2021-22 academic year officially behind us, I want to again express my gratitude for the cooperation and flexibility of our students, faculty and staff, who committed to the public health safeguards necessary…

Subscribe to SU Today

If you need help with your subscription, contact sunews@syr.edu.

Connect With Us

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
Social Media Directory

For the Media

Find an Expert Follow @SyracuseUNews
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
  • @SyracuseU
  • @SyracuseUNews
  • @SUCampus
  • Social Media Directory
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Campus Status
  • Syracuse.edu
© 2022 Syracuse University News. All Rights Reserved.