SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Syracuse University (SU) has announced that Eric Spina, who has served in the role of vice chancellor and provost since 2006, will “conclude his tenure” at the end of 2014.
The school made the announcement in a news release posted to its website on Friday.
At the same time, SU Chancellor Kent Syverud has appointed Liz Liddy, dean and trustee professor of SU’s School of Information Studies (iSchool), as interim vice chancellor and provost effective Jan. 1.
Spina plans to return to the faculty as a newly appointed trustee professor and will pursue his “longtime goal” of obtaining a “top leadership position” within higher education, SU said.
“I care deeply about this university, and at this time believe I owe it to the campus community to step aside before I begin my earnest search for a presidency position. This will allow Chancellor Syverud to select a vice chancellor and provost who can serve with the deans and other senior leaders to be hired in the coming year,” Spina said in the SU news release.
Spina has served as a teacher, dean, vice chancellor and provost at SU for more than 25 years, and the school is a “better place because of it,” Syverud said in the same news release.
“I have experienced first-hand Eric’s commitment to teaching, research and academic excellence, and the collaborations he has supported have allowed the university to advance its academic mission,” Syverud said.
Spina began his career as a faculty member in SU’s College of Engineering and Computer Science, where he served as chair of the department of mechanical, aerospace and manufacturing engineering, the school said.
SU in 2003 appointed him as the Douglas D. Danforth Dean of the college, a position he held until the school appointed him as interim vice chancellor and provost in July 2006. The school made him the permanent vice chancellor and provost in Jan. 2007.
The woman who will assume the same role on an interim basis joined SU as a faculty member in 1988.
“I am truly honored Chancellor Syverud has asked me to step in and I look forward to engaging my faculty colleagues across campus to enhance the capabilities of the provost’s office. This is an exciting time to be at Syracuse University. I’m looking forward to leading and supporting the development of the academic Strategic Plan and playing an active role in the next phase of our growth and development,” Liddy said in the SU news release.
Liddy plans to create a small team of SU faculty that will “support”her and “augment” the provost’s office moving forward. She expects to name and announce that team in the coming days, the school said.
“Liz is a most talented and respected dean. I am so pleased she has agreed to step into this critical role,” Syverud said. “I believe her entrepreneurial spirit and drive for innovation will be of great benefit to me, my executive team, the deans, students, faculty and staff.”
Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com