The Daily Bulletin

The following personnel changes in Academic Affairs are effective immediately:

• Kelly Frothingham has been appointed as dean of the School of Arts and Sciences. During her tenure as interim dean, Kelly worked to increase efficiencies in course offerings and has encouraged and overseen program revisions, as well as department mergers. She has a wealth of leadership experience gained while serving as a department chair for nine years, an associate dean for four and a half years, and interim dean for over one year. Her years of dedicated service, along with her work during this interim period supports this well-deserved appointment.
• Catherine Cardina, chair and professor of Health, Nutrition and Dietetics, will serve as the School of Professions curriculum lead, and Leah Panek-Shirley, associate professor of Health, Nutrition and Dietetics will serve as the School of Professions student success lead, as Vida Vanchan, professor of Geosciences, will continue her work with the Statewide Southeast Asia Consortium. The goal of the interdisciplinary consortium is to help promote research, teaching, and related efforts around Southeast Asia and Southeast Asian Americans in New York’s public universities. In 2025-2026, Vida will focus her efforts on the theme of climate change, sustainability and geography in her role as Cornell ILR faculty associate researcher. Please thank Vida for serving in the role of interim associate dean in the School of Professions during the fall semester.
• After a national search, I am pleased to announce Shannon Budin is the new Horace Mann Endowed Chair in Exceptional Education. Shannon will provide innovative leadership for departmental programs, faculty, and teacher candidates; conduct innovative research; and foster collaborative partnerships with schools and agencies. She will exemplify Buffalo State’s commitment to excellence in the areas of teaching, scholarship and service as they seek to advance the mission of the department and the field of special education.
• Jalen Wright joins Academic Affairs as the assistant director of academic standards. His position focuses on academic intervention. Jalen’s role in Academic Standards will include formulating, executing and monitoring initiatives to support students encountering academic challenges while working with faculty, administrators and students to enhance the continuous advancement of student success and retention. 
• Carolynn Krupp returns to Academic Affairs after a brief stint in the President’s Office. In her new role, she will serve as director of academic planning and technology. Carolynn will provide support for strategic and operational planning and will provide expertise related to the use and integration of technology in planning, assessment and accreditation efforts in collaboration with campus-wide stakeholders.

These changes will enhance the Academic Affairs division.  I want to reassure all our faculty, staff and students that our commitment to providing quality service remains unwavering.