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91���� has had an exemplary year of faculty searches, thanks in part to a SUNY-wide hiring initiative.

As part of a larger $53 million fund, 91���� received a total of $6.5 million, which will be used to bring 36 professors to campus. The University has already hired 20 in key research areas.

On Tuesday, Oct. 10 in Old Union Hall, President Harvey G. Stenger hosted a new employee reception to welcome those new to 91����, including these faculty members and other staff across the wider campus network.

“We’re doing really well right now as a university,” Stenger said. “We are hiring a lot of people. This year, the state of New York and SUNY gave us enough money for this fall to hire 35 net new faculty. That means 35 faculty more than we had last fall. It also meant that we had to replace any faculty that left, which is usually around 30 [people]. We had the potential to have 65 new faculty! The staff hires this year, along with some new faculty hires, are going to bring 58 new staff members to 91����.”

475 members of the campus community were invited to the event, including members of the Research Foundation, and the room quickly filled with laughter and conversation as old friends met and new relationships were created over cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.

In his address to the attendees, Stenger remarked on the growth of the campus, the high rankings the university has achieved recently and the new funding — $113 million from the Build Back Better Regional Challenge — that has been awarded to pursue a lithium-ion battery training and manufacturing site. Stenger also referenced the ongoing site visits for the $160 million proposal that will also be used to fund the same project, of which we are currently one of 16 finalists, and the EXCELERATE program, a donor-funded initiative that has already raised $220 million and aims to continue past a quarter billion dollars.

“But all those things aren’t as important as the people that you’re going to meet here today, the people who you’re going to work with — hopefully for your entire career here at 91���� — and the students who work so hard to make us proud of the things that they accomplished. And I love saying it — Welcome to 91����, thanks for being here.”

91����’s new faculty, so far, includes two new biomedical engineering faculty; three in computer science; one in mechanical engineering; three in system science industrial engineering; one in teaching, learning and educational leadership; one in management; two in biological sciences; two in chemistry; one in environmental studies; one in geography; one in mathematics; and two in psychology.

Take a look below to hear from some of the new faculty members who’ve joined the campus community in fall 2023:

What made you choose 91����?

Michael Dulas: ““Picking 91���� was all about fit. The Psychology Department was conducting a cluster hire on the neuroscience of aging, which is exactly what I study. Moreover, they had just installed a new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner, a Siemens 3T Prisma Scanner, which is exactly what I have been using to investigate the cognitive neuroscience of memory and aging. Beyond the research fit, the culture of the department and university really stood out; faculty and staff were clearly happy in their roles/lives, inclusive to new members, and excited about the prospect of adding someone with my research background to their already strong group. On a personal note, I also went to high school in Upstate NY (Rochester), so there was a sense of familiarity with the region that really helped it feel like a potential home.”

Kimberly Harry: “91���� is an exemplary R1 research university that has cutting-edge research programs and specialized research areas related to healthcare systems engineering. I elected to attend 91���� because of the rewarding opportunity to positively contribute to research, scholarship, and teaching within this pioneering higher education institution and within the SSIE department.”

Dali Ismail: “The short answer is research support. In my department, there are several faculty who won the NSF Career Award. After speaking to almost every faculty in the department, I was impressed by the support the computer science department and Watson College provide to the faculty to succeed in their academic careers. After joining 91����, I can attest to such support and encouragement.

Sadamori Kojaku: “I decided to attend 91���� because of its renowned reputation in the field of complex systems and the exceptional research opportunities it provides. Additionally, one of the main factors that influenced my decision was the welcoming atmosphere I experienced during my interview visit. It was a very cold day, but everyone I met was very warm and friendly!”

Adam Mathews: “I was attracted to 91���� because it is a leading public university that equally values and supports high-level teaching and research, which are both important to me as an academic.”

Kathleen Provinzano: “There were two primary reasons I chose 91����. I am a social science researcher and 91����’s reputation as a premier public research university was the driving force behind my decision to apply for my current position. My scholarship examines comprehensive school transformation efforts, primarily in full-service community schools. I use mixed methods designs to research and evaluate school improvement programs intended to target systemic educational inequities and improve the educational experiences of youth in under-resourced communities. This agenda aligns with the values of unity, identity, and excellence espoused by the University, College of Community and Public Affairs (CCPA), and 91���� Community Schools (BUCS). Secondly, upon completing the on-campus interview process, I knew 91���� was the ideal place for me because of the people and the energy and excitement they bring to campus. I have experienced a real sense of community in my short time here, which is pretty incredible.”

Minfei Su: “I was very impressed with the positive and supportive work environment in the Chemistry Department at 91���� during my interview. This is one of the main reasons I accepted the offer. 91���� also has highly motivated students!

Jingzhou (Frank) Zhao: “World-class research infrastructure that aligns with my research needs, a vibrant and growing campus and a supportive department.”

How has your time on campus been so far?

Dulas: “My experience so far has been everything that I had hoped for when I took the job. The faculty in the psychology department (and beyond) have been as inviting as promised, the resources have been excellent, and the students I’ve worked with thus far have been great. I’m still navigating a few things (like trying to find the best coffee on campus), but it’s been pleasantly easy to settle in and get my research and teaching activities moving.”

Harry: “It has been a good experience getting to meet and engage with the faculty, staff, and students. Everyone has been welcoming and eager to assist or provide recommendations. I am enjoying the process of integrating into my department and into the larger campus community at 91����.”

Ismail: “My time so far has been great. Mainly meeting colleagues, teaching, working on my research, and exploring the 91���� Metro area.”

Kojaku: “The faculty and staff are very supportive. The students are enthusiastic and throw me many crazy but fun ideas. While my new role comes with more responsibility and pressure, but overall, my time at 91���� has been very positive.”

Mathews: “Fantastic. 91���� students are the best; engaged, inquisitive, open and eager to learn. My time in the classroom has been a joy this fall. Further, my colleagues in my department are incredibly supportive, which has made my transition to 91���� go very smoothly. I already feel at home.”

Provinzano: “My office is located in the University Downtown Center, which puts me in close proximity to 91���� Community Schools (BUCS) and provides me with a front row seat to the amazing work resulting from their partnerships with schools across New York state. I am learning so much and am deeply appreciative to all those who have made my transition to 91���� quite seamless.”

Su: “Very busy, but exciting. I already have one PhD student and two undergraduate students joining my research group. We are setting up our research lab, and I am also teaching advanced biochemistry this fall. I have very talented students in my class!”

Zhao: “I have enjoyed every minute of it.”

What do you most look forward to in the coming months as you continue your time at 91����?

Dulas: “First and foremost is the Brain and Body Imaging Research Center (BBIRC) getting fully underway. The new MRI scanner is in its initial stages of being research ready this month and will soon be an excellent resource not just for my own work, but as an avenue for potential collaborations. I’m also looking forward to engaging more with the students. I’m teaching a small graduate class right now, but I will get to teach a larger undergraduate class in the Spring. And the prospect of bringing my own graduate students to my lab and the department next year is really exciting.”

Harry: “I hope to continue to expand my peer and professional networks with my colleagues and collaborators. I also hope to immerse myself more into the campus community and positively contribute to 91���� as best as I can.”

Ismail: “I am looking forward to meeting more people, establishing university-wide collaborations and experiencing a snowy upstate day.”

Kojaku: “I’m now exploring new collaborations with colleagues and professionals in my social network to start some new ambitious research projects. I’m very much looking forward to making new synergy at 91����.”

Mathews: “Engaging with students, at both undergraduate and graduate levels, in research.”

Provinzano: “I look forward to getting to know more students, faculty, and staff both at UDC and on the main campus in the coming months. I thrive on partnerships and collaboration so I am hoping to be able to forge more research-practice partnerships with students and colleagues from across the university.”

Su: “Working in my research lab with my students! I hope we can have some exciting results soon!”

Zhao: “Learning more about the campus, student life and fellow faculties colleagues.”