Update from the Office of the President - July 7, 2020

Update from the Office of the President - July 7, 2020

Published:
Tuesday, July 7, 2020 - 09:23
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To the SUNY Poly Community:

As we move forward to resume academic operations this fall, I want to provide some important personnel updates at our institution.

First, I hope you will join me in welcoming Dr. Mark Montgomery who started as SUNY Poly’s Chief Diversity Officer July 1. He is an author, mentor, role model, and SUNY Poly graduate who will work during this critical time to further foster a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion for our community. I want to recognize Vice President of Human Resources Rhonda Haines for her deep commitment to our institution by serving as Interim CDO over the past three years. She will continue to work with Dr. Montgomery on diversity-focused regulations and guidelines, including Affirmative Action and Title IX.

I would also like to announce that Interim Vice President of Research and Graduate Studies, Dr. Shadi Shahedipour-Sandvik, will further streamline SUNY Poly’s research operation by serving as SUNY Poly’s Research Foundation (RF) Operations Manager. In this role, she will oversee the administration of all sponsored programs at the institution, including pre-award and post-award administration, accounts payable and receivable, procurement, program financial management, and contracts and grants to foster a successful lifecycle for all sponsored research and economic development funding. Dr. Shahedipour Sandvik will also ensure the compliance of all programs with applicable policies, procedures, and regulations. Notably, no other changes are currently being made to research administration functions or to your current contacts who administer grants, grant submissions, and purchasing, among other tasks.

I extend my sincere appreciation to Susan Head for taking on additional responsibility as SUNY Poly’s RF Operations Manager during the transition period and for lending her finance and accounting expertise which has been invaluable. As the institution’s Senior Associate Vice President for Finance, she will continue her institution-wide oversight responsibilities for finance, budget, business affairs, student accounts, purchasing, accounts payable, and the mailroom and print shop offices, among other duties.

I would also like to recognize Dr. Kathleen Rourke, Interim Dean of the College of Health Sciences for the accomplishments she contributed to the College and to SUNY Poly. Dr. Rourke will be transitioning back to her faculty appointment, effective August 17, 2020. I am grateful for her service in this role and her efforts to establish new, innovative degree programs in the College.  To prepare for the transition, Interim Provost Schneider will meet with faculty and staff in the coming days to prepare for the change in leadership and ensure academic operations continuity.

I am thankful for the service of each member of the senior management team, as well as your daily efforts, as we continue to collectively advance SUNY Poly’s academic and research mission.  

Sincerely,

Dr. Grace Wang
Interim President
SUNY Polytechnic Institute

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