School of Information Studies (iSchool) professor Jeffrey M. Stanton, a widely published and respected scholar and a seasoned university administrator, has been appointed associate provost for academic affairs. He succeeds Andria Costello Staniec, who after more than four years as associate provost will step down from the post to return to the faculty of the College of Engineering and Computer Science. Stanton’s appointment is effective July 1.
In his new role, Stanton will assist Vice Chancellor and Provost Michele G. Wheatly with the daily operation and optimization of the Division of Academic Affairs. He will play a critical role in supporting and implementing the Academic Strategic Plan and aligning it with the University’s physical presence and infrastructure.
“Jeff brings to the position a distinctive appreciation for the multiple missions of Syracuse University, including teaching and learning, federally funded research, entrepreneurialism and organizational behavior,” says Provost Wheatly. “With years of experience in private industry, followed by a distinguished academic career, and higher education leadership experience and training, Jeff is extremely well suited for this new role. He also exhibits extraordinary leadership skills and his experience with large-scale collaborative research projects brings with it a keen understanding of how to rally support behind meaningful and positive change.”
Stanton, a faculty member in the iSchool since 2001, served as interim dean from January 2015 to May 2016. Before that, he was the iSchool’s senior associate dean and chair of the University’s Institutional Review Board. During the 2012-2013 academic year, Stanton was a fellow of the American Council on Education in its emerging leaders fellowship program. He is also a graduate of the EDUCAUSE/CLIR Leading Change Institute. In 2011, he was named the University’s first associate vice president for research, a rotator position intended to strengthen the connections between the Office of Research and researchers in the schools and colleges. Stanton also helped to design the iSchool’s Innovation Studio, a classroom environment designed to encourage hands-on, problem-focused learning.
“I am very excited to join Provost Wheatly’s team, and I’m looking forward to continuing the excellent work that Andria has been doing,” says Stanton. “I’m optimistic that my lengthy experience as a faculty member here at Syracuse, together with some of the administrative work I have done, will allow me to work effectively with all the people whose efforts depend on the academic affairs office.”
Stanton is the co-author of “Information Nation: Educating the Next Generation of Information Professionals” (2010) and “The Visible Employee: Using Workplace Monitoring and Surveillance to Protect Information Assets—Without Compromising Employee Privacy or Trust” (2006). He has also published scholarly articles in peer-reviewed behavioral science journals, such as the Journal of Applied Psychology, Personnel Psychology and Human Performance. His articles also appear in the Journal of Computational Science Education, Computers and Security, Communications of the ACM, Computers in Human Behavior, the International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction, Information Technology and People, the Journal of Information Systems Education, the Journal of Digital Information, Surveillance and Society and Behaviour & Information Technology.
Stanton’s background also includes more than a decade of experience in business—both in established firms and startup companies. He earned a Ph.D. and a master’s degree in industrial/organizational psychology from the University of Connecticut, and a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Dartmouth College.
As Stanton’s appointment marks the conclusion of Costello Staniec’s tenure as associate provost. Provost Wheatly thanked her for her deep commitment to student academic success, her dedication to academic and research excellence and her hard work on behalf of the University’s academic vision and mission.
“Under Andria’s leadership, several significant initiatives aimed at helping our students succeed and thrive inside the classroom were initiated and strengthened,” says Provost Wheatly. “She has left a lasting impact across campus. I wish her well as she continues her academic journey, and I look forward to collaborating with her upon her return to the faculty.”