Dear College staff members,
As I shared with you on Wednesday, after nearly two years of preparation and planning, the process to strategically reorganize staff in a College shared services model to better support our programs, centers and institutes is moving forward with the roll out of a number of teams over the next few weeks.
We need to adapt and be nimble in order to continue to provide strategic, efficient and consistent high-quality service delivery across all areas of the College as circumstances change. The shared services model better aligns staff to support our sectors and the College as a whole. Through shared services, we will better distribute the expertise of our talented College staff and rebalance workloads to create consistent services across all departments.
As we move toward implementing shared services and a self-norming culture of excellence, I ask for your patience as teams are rolled out. The following teams will be formed:
Please view the shared services web page to learn more about when team members will be notified, when operations are expected to commence and whom to contact if you have immediate questions. Individual staff selected for the teams listed will be notified by Sector Administrative Directors. As teams start to roll out and the work within each area takes shape, there may be adjustments along the way to best serve the needs of departments, programs, centers and institutes.
I invite you to visit the College shared services web page for more information and an overview of the teams and timelines. The College could not operate without the critical contributions of our staff. I want to personally thank you for both that work and your support of the shared services model.
Take care,
Robin
Dean Schulze invites all staff to a Zoom presentation on Wednesday, March 16 at 2:30 p.m. to hear more about the reorganization process to strategically align staff across the College to enhance the support of departments, programs, centers and institutes.
At this staff session, Dean Schulze will provide an overview of the reorganization, plans for implementation of the shared services model and the teams expected to rollout during the spring semester. All staff are encouraged to attend.
Wednesday, March 16, 2022
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Zoom
Dear Colleagues,
I am pleased to announce that Amy Monin has joined the College as research administrative director.
As research administrative director, Amy will collaborate with Jerry Koudelka, senior associate dean for research and Lorraine Oak, associate dean for research administration. Amy comes to the College from the School of Social Work’s Buffalo Center for Social Research where she served as center manager and research administrator for the last eight years. Prior to that, she was research administrator in the Department of Electrical Engineering in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Amy has a BA in Psychology and a Master of Business Administration. She is also a Certified Research Administrator (CRA), a designation granted by the Research Administrators Certification Council to individuals who demonstrate the knowledge necessary to serve as an administrator of professional and sponsored research programs.
Amy will be responsible for establishing and maintaining a robust pre- and post-award sponsored projects management structure for all sectors of the College. She will be charged with making data-driven decisions, using organizational data to determine trends, in an effort to refine and optimize resource deployment. Amy will be responsibile for training and supervising a team of pre- and post-award specialists that will support faculty and grant administration across all sectors, as well as collecting, organizing and providing a detailed analysis of information regarding all aspects of research productivity with a strong focus on sponsored research activity.
I look forward to Amy’s contributions as we continue to advance the College’s research mission. Please join me in welcoming Amy to this position.
Take care,
Robin
You are invited to a CAS Reorganization Brainstorming Session focused on the Graduate Student Support team.
Thursday, Nov. 18, 9-10:30 a.m.
At the session we will discuss the following:
This session is open to all staff, both those that interact with graduate students, and staff who are interested in this topic. Please note that there will be additional session invitations for other potential teams in the future.
Dear College staff members,
I am reaching out to share progress on the College’s reorganization efforts.
As you may have heard, we have completed the formation of the centralized graduate application processing team. This group will work with David Lang, assistant dean for graduate enrollment, and the professional staff on the graduate enrollment team to streamline graduate recruitment and admissions across the College. While the application work will be centralized, please be assured that the admissions decision for each student will remain with the departmental admissions committee.
The sector administrative directors have spoken with the staff who will have a partial FTE assigned to this team, and have notified others who will no longer have responsibility for the processing of graduate applications within the Slate system. Those who previously had processing as part of their duties will be working with the sector administrative directors on a revised set of duties to make sure we are fully servicing all our needs.
Chairs and DGS’s have also received notification of this change. Should you have any questions in regard to the roll out of our first team under the reorganization, please do not hesitate to reach out to your sector administrative director or David Lang.
The rollout of future teams will follow a similar process as the graduate application processing team. Thank you again for your patience and your input to this important process.
Take Care,
Robin
Dear Colleagues,
I hope you are enjoying your summer and finding time to rest and recharge. I write to share a few reorganization updates with you.
In June, we officially welcomed Peter Pfordresher into the role of Associate Dean for Academic Affairs overseeing the areas of undergraduate and graduate education for the College. Peter has been meeting with his team, our colleagues in Undergraduate Education and the Graduate School, and chairs and directors in order to establish priorities for the 2021-22 academic year.
As you know, David Johnson is serving as the interim Associate Dean for Arts and Humanities until the fall when Ewa Ziarek will begin in the role. I look forward to the full return to campus in the fall when we will have the entire academic leadership team in place.
On the administrative side, Carol Ciaciuch, Karen Sausner and Kelly Thuman, our Sector Administrative Directors, have been meeting with all staff to learn more about each area and identify ways to enhance service delivery, streamline processes and improve efficiencies. I appreciate the time our staff has made to meet with the team as part of this important process to develop the sector team structure.
As a result of input from these meetings, along with hearing from department and program administrators (formerly known as assistant to the chairs), a new system to process the appointment or reappointment of adjunct instructors has been created. The process, released last week by our human resources and finance teams, provides a central web-based form for all departments to use. This will reduce the back-and-forth communication between departments and the dean’s office and alleviate delays in receiving approvals. Our Sector Administrative Directors are also considering process revisions to several other workstreams, so the service center model is beginning to take shape.
During the past year and a half, the College has served as an example of fiscal responsibility across the University. Now more than ever, the finance operation is vital to our full recovery from COVID-19. As we plan for the upcoming academic year, we need to remain prudent and strategic as we fully resume activities across the College. In an effort to better support our chairs and faculty, I am pleased to announce that Kim Spates has joined the College as Sector Financial Director. Kim moves to the College after serving as the Senior Resource Analyst in the UB Office of Resource Planning. As a key member on the finance team, Kim will provide critical support, financial processing, fiscal guidance and training in support of the College’s financial goals. I am looking forward to having Kim’s expertise here in the College. We welcome Kim to the team at the start the 2021-2022 fiscal year.
As we continue to move forward with the reorganization, it is critical to create collaborations within and across sectors so that all departments are supported in the important work of the College. I encourage you to visit the College’s reorganization web page for updates and to learn more about our academic leadership team.
I hope you enjoy the rest of the summer and I will see you on campus soon.
Take care,
Robin
Dear Colleagues,
I am pleased to announce that Kelly Thuman has accepted the position of sector administrative director for natural sciences and mathematics.
As you know, the sector administrative directors are part of a team responsible for key administrative functions and management of processes for each sector as part of the College’s strategic reorganization.
As sector administrative director, Kelly will collaborate with Kris Tjaden, associate dean for natural sciences and mathematics. Kelly comes to the College from the Department of Chemistry where she served as department administrator, which followed service to UB in a similar role in the Department of Radiology. She has a BS in Marketing and a Master of Business Administration. Kelly will begin her role on May 17, 2021.
Kelly will work together with sector administrative directors Carol Ciaciuch (social sciences) and Karen Sausner (arts and humanities). As we continue to move forward with the reorganization, Kelly, Carol and Karen will work collaboratively to develop the sector team structure.
Now more than ever, increasing service competency and creating collaborations within and across sectors so that all departments are supported in the important work of the College is critical. I encourage you to visit the College’s reorganization web page for updates as well as view previous messages about the reorganization process.
Please join me in welcoming Kelly to this position. I look forward to sharing more reorganization updates with you soon.
Take care,
Robin
Dear Colleagues,
As we start the spring semester, I’d like to provide an update regarding the Dean’s Office reorganization.
As you are aware, the associate deans were announced in December and are now fully operating in their positions. The start of the semester marks the beginning of the sector-based alignment that is a key step in the process to reorganize and enhance the support of departments, programs, centers and institutes.
As you know, the associate deans are:
With academic leadership in place, I am pleased to announce the College’s sector administrative directors who will work collaboratively with the sector associate deans. This team will be responsible for key administrative functions and management of processes for each sector as part of the strategic reorganization.
I am pleased to welcome Carol, Cheryl and Karen to their sector leadership roles and I look forward to their contributions to the College as part of the reorganization. Our sector administrative directors will begin working as a team on February 15, 2021. As we move forward with the reorganization, the sector administrative directors will begin to develop the sector team structure. This process will evolve and be ongoing.
As part of the reorganization, Kim Greenfield has agreed to step in and take on supervising experiential learning, implementing the College's retention plans, and managing some of the tactical aspects of CAS Advising. These assignments are in addition to the enrollment duties that she has long been managing for the College and fit well with that portfolio. Brian Swartz, who has been working with Kim on space for the past year, has been named the official Facilities Planning and Management Officer (FPMO) for the College. Brian will report to Kate Ferguson and will work closely with the academic associate deans.
Now more than ever, it is critical to create collaborations, increase efficiencies and identify areas within and across sectors so that all department chairs are supported in the important work of the College. I encourage you to visit the College’s reorganization web page for updates as well as view previous messages about the reorganization process.
I look forward to sharing more reorganization updates with you soon.
Take care,
Robin
Dear Colleagues,
As the semester comes to a close, I am pleased to announce the College’s Associate Deans as part of the Dean’s Office reorganization. These critical leadership roles in the College are vital to our future and part of the strategic process to align the Dean’s Office and reorganize the academic associate dean and administrative structure to enhance the support of departments, programs, centers and institutes.
As you know, the first step in the reorganization included the search for academic and research associate deans. In the fall, the College posted position descriptions for an Associate Dean for Research, an Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and three area-specific Sector Associate Deans for Arts and Humanities, for Social Sciences, and for Natural Sciences and Mathematics. After a thorough process, I am pleased to share the academic and research leadership team.
I look forward to working with this team of dedicated and innovative faculty to advance the College’s efforts to elevate our academic and research profile. Professors Bennett, Koudelka, and Tjaden will begin serving in their positions on January 11, 2021. Professor Ziarek will begin as Associate Dean for Arts and Humanities in fall 2021. Professor David Johnson, Department of Comparative Literature, has generously agreed to serve in this role temporarily so Professor Ziarek can fulfill other commitments. Professor Pfordresher will begin as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the conclusion of this academic year.
My sincere thanks and appreciation to the members of the faculty advisory committee, including chair, Professor Jennifer Read (PSY), and members Professors Susan Cahn (HIS), Cecil Foster (TNS), Mark Frank (COM), Paul Gollnick (BIO) and Lynne Koscielniak (THD), for their exceptional work and service to the College. As part of the process the committee conducted in-depth interviews of all candidates and a summary report as part of their advisement. The committee interviewed an outstanding applicant pool that exemplifies the strength of our faculty in the College.
Please join me in congratulating Professors Bennett, Koudelka, Pfordresher, Tjaden and Ziarek, and expressing appreciation to Professor Jennifer Read and the advisory committee, as well as to Professor Johnson.
I look forward to sharing more about the reorganization and the next steps in the process soon.
Take care,
Robin
As the process to strategically align the Dean’s Office and reorganize the academic structure to enhance the support of departments, programs, centers and institutes continues, we invite you to attend an open forum to learn more and ask questions you may have about the proposed staff reorganization.
Kate Ferguson, senior associate dean, will provide a brief overview of the reorganization and the remainder of the hour will be reserved for answering your questions. Dean’s office staff, Michelle Scott, assistant dean for human resources, and Ann Segarra, unit business officer, will be in attendance.
Tuesday, October 6, 2020
10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
You can submit your questions in advance. All faculty and staff are encouraged to attend and ask any questions they may have about the reorganization.
Dear Colleagues,
As the process to strategically align the Dean’s Office and reorganize the academic associate dean and administrative structure to enhance the support of departments, programs, centers and institutes continues, I have a few updates to share with you.
I’m grateful to the full professors who have agreed to serve on an advisory committee who will meet and consult with me regularly. The faculty committee, a dynamic group of colleagues representing the range of disciplines from across the College, will talk with candidates for the five associate dean positions and will serve as advisors to me during the process.
My thanks to the following committee members for their service to the College:
As we have experienced, the impact of the pandemic has been far reaching and continues to affect higher education in ways that are still unfolding. Across the College, faculty planned for a fall semester unlike any other semester before. At the recommendation of the committee, we are extending the application submission deadline for the associate dean positions to September 23, 2020. The committee argued that the conditions surrounding the timing of the initial application process were not ideal, and requested this extension since all of us now have a clearer picture of our responsibilities for the fall semester.
As you know, the reorganization includes three area-specific Sector Associate Deans: a Sector Associate Dean for Arts and Humanities, a Sector Associate Dean for Social Sciences, and a Sector Associate Dean for Natural Sciences and Mathematics. Additionally, there will be an Associate Dean for Research and an Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.
Compensation for service as associate dean includes a 10% academic-year override for term of appointment and 10% summer salary. Teaching release and support for maintaining an active scholarly profile are negotiable. Individuals need to be able to commit at least four days per week with one protected research day. Associate and Full professors are welcome to apply for these opportunities.
Faculty interested in applying for these roles can view the full position descriptions, application process and reorganization overview online.
I look forward to sharing more with you over the coming weeks.
Take care,
Robin
Dear Colleagues,
As you know the process is underway to strategically align the Dean’s Office and reorganize the academic structure to enhance the support of departments, programs, centers and institutes.
Applications for the Associate Dean positions have been received and the interview process for the positions will be held throughout September. The next step in the reorganization process is the search for Sector Administrative Directors for each of the three sectors: Arts and Humanities, Social Sciences and Natural Sciences and Mathematics.
The Sector Administrative Directors, a position developed as part of the College’s reorganization, are vital administrative support roles for each sector. The administrative directors will work closely with the Associate Deans in their respective sector as a strategic partner and advisor. The Sector Administrative Director will assume responsibility for key administration functions and management of processes for the sector to ensure that all department chairs are supported in the important work of the College.
Staff interested in applying can view the College’s reorganization webpage for more information on how to apply. Colleagues may also nominate staff to serve in these roles by submitting a brief statement of support to Kate Ferguson, senior associate dean, no later than September 14, 2020.
I look forward to sharing additional details on the progress of the reorganization process soon.
Take care,
Robin
Dear Colleagues,
As you know, the College has started the process to strategically align the Dean’s Office and reorganize the academic dean structure to enhance the support of departments, programs, centers and institutes.
The new strategic administrative direction will serve the needs of the different sectors and strengthen our research profile as we strive to realize UB’s top 25 ambitions.
The reorganization creates the roles and structure needed to move the College forward. Now, more than ever, we need faculty to bring strategic thinking and administrative expertise to fulfill key associate dean roles.
The reorganization includes three area-specific Sector Associate Deans: a Sector Associate Dean for Arts and Humanities, a Sector Associate Dean for Social Sciences, and a Sector Associate Dean for Natural Sciences and Mathematics. Additionally, there will be an Associate Dean for Research and an Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.
The search for the five associate dean roles closes on August 31, 2020. I encourage anyone interested in serving in these vital College leadership positions to review the positions descriptions and submit a one-page statement of interest and CV to Heather Bain at hlsaxer@buffalo.edu.
I look forward to building a stronger College of Arts and Sciences together.
Take care,
Robin
Dear Colleagues,
I hope you are all safe and well.
At the May Chairs and Directors meeting, I shared an overview of the plan to strategically align the Dean’s Office and reorganize the academic dean structure to enhance the support of departments, programs, centers and institutes.
The strength of the College lies in the range of our disciplines and the excellence of the academic work and research that takes place across our departments and programs. During the past few academic years, we have learned it is difficult for our Associate Deans to both fulfill functional administrative roles and strategically manage and support a disparate portfolio of departments. As a result, we are moving forward with a new strategic administrative direction that will serve the needs of the very different sectors of the College and enhance our research profile.
The reorganization includes three area-specific Sector Associate Deans: a Sector Associate Dean for Humanities and Arts, a Sector Associate Dean for Social Sciences, and a Sector Associate Dean for Natural Sciences and Mathematics. Additionally, there will be an Associate Dean for Research and an Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.
We will be eliminating the positions of Associate Dean for International Education and Enrollment, the Associate Dean for New Programs and Initiatives, and the Director of Humanities. All of those duties will be folded into the three Sector Associate Dean positions. The Associate Dean for Academic Affairs will, mirroring the structure in Capen Hall, assume the operational duties of the Dean for Undergraduate Education and the Dean for Graduate Education.
This new structure is in no way a reflection of the contribution of current associate deans. I commend our associate deans: Sean Bennett, David Johnson, Jerry Koudelka, Justin Read and Kris Tjaden, for their leadership and commitment to the College. This has been a challenging year and their work in support of the College has been essential.
The reorganization creates the roles and structure needed to move the College forward. Now, more than ever, we need faculty to bring strategic thinking and administrative expertise to the Dean’s office to fulfill the five vital roles listed above. Faculty interested in applying for these roles can view the full position descriptions and process timeline online. Faculty may also nominate colleagues to serve in these roles.
I look forward to sharing more with you over the coming weeks as we move to increase efficiencies and build a stronger College of Arts and Sciences together.
Take care,
Robin
Representing the range of disciplines from across the College, a committee of full professors met with candidates for the five associate dean positions and served as advisors to the dean.
