SUNY Board Approves Strengthening the Office of Academic Affairs

Albany – The State University of New York Board of Trustees today approved efforts to strengthen the Office of Academic Affairs by appointing Dr. Kavita Pandit senior vice provost, Dr. Pedro Cabán, vice provost for diversity and educational equity, and Mr. James P. Ketterer as deputy provost.

 

“I am very pleased that Dr. Pandit, Dr. Cabán and Mr. Ketterer have agreed to become part of the team that will help move SUNY from a very good system of public higher education to a truly great system,” said Chancellor John R. Ryan.  “SUNY needs top leadership and administrative and academic talent if we are to provide our students with the best possible education and, at the same time, provide New York State with the educated workforce and the research and development enterprise necessary to compete in today’s knowledge economy.”

 

“The State University of New York continues to attract the most talented leaders and experienced educators from across the country,” said Board Chairman Thomas F. Egan.  “Dr. Pandit, Dr. Cabán and James Ketterer have gained our confidence and we expect them to accelerate the very positive momentum now occurring at the State University of New York.”

 

All three individuals will report directly to SUNY Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Risa I. Palm, who is strengthening and reorganizing the office to better carry out the mission of the University.

 

“As the largest comprehensive system of public higher education in the nation, SUNY does marvelous work in providing an education for New Yorkers,” said Provost Palm.  “Dr. Pandit, Dr. Cabán and Mr. Ketterer have very strong records of accomplishment and will help SUNY to provide our students with the best possible education.  I want to thank the Board of Trustees for today’s appointment and Chancellor Ryan for his support of these outstanding individuals.”

 

“I thank the Board of Trustees for appointing me to such an important position within the University.  My gratitude also extends to Chancellor Ryan and Provost Palm for their support throughout the process,” said Dr. Pandit.  “I look forward to working with the campuses as we strive to improve the quality of the education we provide our students and enhance the opportunities for scholarship, research and student life.”

 

“The State University of New York’s commitment to access and opportunity for all students is most commendable,” said Dr. Cabán.  “I want to thank the Board of Trustees for placing its trust in me, as well as to thank Chancellor Ryan, Provost Palm and the search committee for their strong support.  Working together with the SUNY campuses, we can ensure access and opportunities for all those who seek to advance themselves through public higher education.”

 

“I am very honored by and grateful to the State University Board of Trustees for appointing me.  My sincere thanks go to Chancellor Ryan and Provost Palm for their support as well,” said Mr. Ketterer. 

 

The chancellor’s recommendations are the culmination of national searches.  Each of these positions was advertised in the Chronicle of Higher Education, Insidehighered.com, the SUNY system administration homepage and minority organizations listings.  There were 33 applications for senior vice provost, 17 for the deputy provost position and 25 for the Vice Provost for Diversity and Educational Equity.

 

The chancellor’s nominations will replace three senior members of the Office of Academic Affairs who are moving on to other positions outside of SUNY System Administration or retiring.

 

Background - Dr. Kavita Pandit

 

Dr. Pandit’s responsibilities as Senior Vice Provost will include Program Review and Assessment, Academic Planning and Analysis, oversight of the Mission Review Initiative; Opportunity Programs, Student Life, International Programs, Faculty Award and Development Programs and primary liaison to the academic standards committee of the Board of Trustees.

 

Dr. Pandit is currently associate dean of Arts and Sciences at the University of Georgia, a full professor of geography and president of the Association of American Geographers. 

 

She was a member of the faculty of the Department of Geography since 1987, promoted to full professor in 1999, and served as Head and Associate Head of the Department of Geography from 2001-2005. 

 

In her capacity as associate dean, Dr. Pandit oversaw the Social and Behavioral Science departments and was engaged in curriculum development, assessment, strategic planning, program reviews, promotion and tenure issues and faculty development.

 

In addition, Dr. Pandit coordinated the University of Georgia’s international program, which currently ranks 9th nationally in the number of students participating in study abroad.

 

On a national level, she serves as the elected President of the Association of American Geographers, a scholarly organization with 10,000 members.  During the past year, she has lectured widely on the benefits of international education.

 

Dr. Pandit received her Doctorate and Master of Arts in Geography, and a Masters of City and Regional Planning from the Ohio State University.  She earned a Bachelor of Architecture from Bombay University. Dr. Pandit’s salary will be $172,000.

 

Background - Dr. Pedro Cabán

 

As vice provost for Diversity and Educational Equity, Dr. Pedro Cabán will take responsibility for the Offices of Educational Opportunity Programs and SUNY Educational Opportunity Centers; supervise SUNY’s participation in the National Association of System Heads project on reducing the educational gap, and assist campuses in developing and implementing a portfolio of diversity programs and curricula that is sensitive to their mission and the communities in which they are located.

 

In addition, he will contribute to the ongoing system-wide efforts to align campuses with their respective communities in order to assist underrepresented high school graduates with access to higher educational opportunities and a successful college experience through to graduation.  

 

Dr. Cabán is currently full professor of Communications Research and African American Studied at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and was the Director of the Latina/o Studies Program.

 

Dr. Cabán received his Doctorate of Political Science and Master of Philosophy from Columbia University.  He earned a Bachelor of Arts from the City College of New York.  In addition, Dr. Cabán held important faculty and administrative positions at Cornell, Rutgers and Fordham Universities. Dr. Cabán’s salary will be $165,000.

 

Background - Mr. James P. Ketterer

 

Mr. Ketterer will take the position of Deputy Provost.  This position has executive responsibility for the staffing, operations and management of the System's Academic Office.  Mr. Ketterer will be responsible for the direct expenditures of the academic affairs budget; coordination of all budget activities for units that report to the Office of Academic Affairs; space allocation; supervision of the SUNY Learning Network and institutional research, and coordination of other activities in the personnel of the Provost's Office. 

 

Mr. Ketterer has taught numerous courses and seminars at colleges within New York State.  Most recently he was a visiting assistant professor at Bard College from 2003-2005.  In 2000 he was a visiting lecturer at the College of New Paltz, and received the Professional Development Award – United University Professions from the State University of New York.

 

Mr. Ketterer has published a multitude of articles regarding international and comparative politics.  He has lectured nationally and internationally, most recently in April 2007 at the New York State Political Science Association, and prior, in March 2006, at the United Nations University, Amman, Jordan.

 

Mr. Ketterer is currently director of SUNY’s Center for International Development.  He has a Master of Arts in Near Eastern Studies from New York University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Middle East Studies from Fordham University.  Mr. Ketterer’s salary will be $140,000.

 

The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive university system in the United States, educating more than 417,500 students in 7,669 degree and certificate programs on 64 campuses. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunity, visit www.suny.edu 

 

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