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College of Professional Studies Creates New Department of Executive Education; Hires Executive Director

Art Thomas portrait

University College has been renamed the College of Professional Studies. For over 100 years, the college’s mission has been to provide educational opportunities to those whose only access to Syracuse University is through part-time study. The new name reflects the expanded purpose to serve students who desire to attend Syracuse through a college recognized for market-sensitive professional studies degree programs, accessible academic pathways and world-class online education.

Within the College of Professional Studies, the department of executive education has been established to develop responsive and market-sensitive credit, non-credit, continuing education and alternative credential courses and programs for students looking to complement existing credentials, advance their knowledge or redirect their careers.

The new department serves and supports the schools and colleges within the University to set strategic direction and coordinate partnership opportunities, developing strong working relationships with faculty, staff and external parties to identify and leverage instructional talent and opportunities for collaboration. The department’s additional near-term services will include identifying and analyzing challenges, opportunities, markets, competitors and industry trends.

Art Thomas, associate dean for career services and experiential learning at the School of Information Studies (iSchool), has been named executive director of the executive education department. Thomas began his career at Syracuse in 2001 as an adjunct professor. He became an assistant professor of practice in 2009. He consistently rose through the ranks becoming associate dean for academic affairs in the iSchool in 2015 and associate dean for career services and experiential learning in the iSchool in 2020.

“Art is a long-time collaborator with the college, an active supporter of our students and staunch advocate of our mission,” says Dean Michael Frasciello. “He is creative and thoughtful and has exceptional relationships throughout the University. We could not be more fortunate to have someone of Art’s depth, experience and entrepreneurial spirit designing and launching our new executive education strategy and programs portfolio.”

Thomas earned a bachelor of arts degree from the State University of New York (SUNY) College at Brockport and a master of education degree in curriculum development and instructional media from SUNY at Buffalo, where he also completed his Ph.D. in research and evaluation – instructional systems design and management.

The College of Professional Studies at Syracuse University offers online and on-campus professional degrees, non-credit programs and executive education programs, delivering exceptional support and services to a diverse part-time student population seeking a Syracuse University education.

Russian High School Student Stands Out From Afar in Syracuse University Online Class

At 5 a.m. this past school year, while her parents and brother were still asleep, Kseniia Borovkova, a junior in high school in Saratov, Russia, signed on to her computer to participate in the live synchronous session of her Syracuse University strategic leadership class that started at 8 p.m. ET. 

“I simply loved every part of the course. It was my first time taking a synchronous online credit course. The energetic atmosphere and rigorous course material had a lasting impact on me,” Borovkova says. “My classmates were so engaged, active and supportive.” 

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Responding to Growing Demand in Healthcare Administration Field

To meet the growing demand for a bachelor’s level degree in the healthcare field, University College now offers a Bachelor of Professional Studies (BPS) online degree in Healthcare Administration. (more) The degree will combine business, finance, electronic records management, human resources, project management and conflict management skills that will prepare graduates for a variety of positions such as health care administration, clinical services director, health information manager and clinical account managers. This program is ideal for individuals interested in launching a career in the medical field or looking to advance their existing career.

Fall 2021 semester registration began April 20th. Spring 2022 semester registration begins Wednesday, November 3rd. For more information contact University College at 315.443.9378, toll free at 1.866.498.9378 or email parttime@syr.edu.

Commencement Updates for Classes of 2020 and 2021

Dear Members of the Syracuse University Community:

I write today to update you on our planning for Commencement for the classes of 2021 and 2020. As detailed below, our current planning recognizes generally improving public health conditions and growing access to vaccines. Still, public health officials caution vigilance and concern over highly infectious variants of the virus. Further, we are bound to follow all New York State health directives.  These trends and concerns are guiding our current thinking and planning.

Class of 2021

Commencement: The University will host in-person Commencement activities for graduates the weekend of May 22 and 23. We will do everything possible to make this year’s celebration special for our graduates. However, this year’s activities will be different than years past. For example, depending on occupancy guidelines, we may host more than one ceremony to accommodate all our graduates. Many of these details are still being worked out and remain contingent on state directives.

Convocations: All school and college convocations will be hosted virtually this year. The planning group is working with the deans of each school and college to create meaningful virtual convocations. All will be livestreamed.

Graduate Hooding Ceremony/ROTC Commissioning: Both the Graduate Hooding Ceremony and the ROTC Commissioning event will be held in-person for participants. These events will also be livestreamed for virtual participation.

Other Events and Activities: Other Commencement-related activities, such as departmental recognitions, honor society events, etc., will be held virtually.

Guest Attendance: At this time, it is unclear if guests will be allowed to attend Commencement activities. We hope to receive guidance from the New York State Department of Health soon. We will provide clarity regarding guest attendance as soon as we have more information, so that families can plan accordingly. Regardless of the state’s guidance on guests, Commencement will take place for students on campus and will be livestreamed so all families, friends and loved ones can watch the ceremony.

Class of 2020

Last year, at the onset of the pandemic, the University was forced to postpone all in-person Commencement activities for the Class of 2020. Subject to continued improvement in public health conditions and relaxation of government restrictions, Syracuse University will host Commencement for the Class of 2020 on Sunday, Sept. 19. Graduates will receive more information about the weekend’s activities as our planning progresses. In a survey conducted last year, our Class of 2020 graduates were clear that they wanted a traditional and robust in-person celebration in the stadium with their family members, friends and loved ones in attendance. The University will keep its promise to our graduates.

Rest assured that there is nothing Syracuse University wants more than to celebrate our graduates with all the pomp and circumstance they deserve. That’s what we plan for.  That’s what we hope for. And that’s what we intend to do.

I appreciate your continued patience as we navigate these challenging circumstances.

Sincerely,

Chancellor Kent Syverud

Syracuse University Partners With Syracuse City School District to Provide Pathways to Higher Learning

Syracuse University embraces its commitment to promoting positive change that simultaneously advances knowledge and opportunity for all citizens. A large part of that commitment is providing access to a Syracuse University education to local high school students.

In partnership with the Syracuse City School District, the University will offer scholarships to up to 36 rising high school juniors to explore college life through its Summer College Program. Sponsorship of the city school students was made possible, in part, through a generous donation from IBEW Local 43 and the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) Finger Lakes Chapter.

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