After our short time together—a little over 2 months, if you’re counting—I expect you know that I believe in the power of teams to accomplish things far more significant than any individual possibly could. You have also likely heard me talk about the importance of building diverse teams, in order to achieve the best outcomes. In keeping with my commitments, I want to share with you a few updates related to our administrative leadership team at the college.
The Senior Leadership Team (SLT), which is comprised of those administrators who oversee major components of our college and my associate vice president, has been expanded to include Bill Maher ’89, director of athletics, and Linda M. Walleshauser, associate vice president for human resources and compliance.
In an effort to engage more diverse voices and perspectives in the leadership of the college, I have formed the Canisius Leadership Council (CLC). The CLC is comprised of all members of the SLT, plus individuals who lead key functional areas on campus, which includes Tom Chambers, dean of the college of arts and sciences, Tom Ciminelli, director of facilities, Michele Folsom, director of administrative computing, Mark Harrington, associate vice president for student development and academic success, Fatima Rodriguez Johnson MS ’98, associate dean of diversity and inclusion, Denise Rotondo, dean of the Wehle School of Business, and Nancy Wallace, interim dean of the school of education and human services.
Lastly, the leadership team of the college will be bolstered by leveraging the significant experience of two nationally respected leaders in Catholic higher education. Sandy Estanek, will serve as special assistant to the president for mission this year, and beginning in January 2023 Fr. Joseph McShane, SJ, will serve as special assistant to the president.
I am grateful to every member of the Canisius faculty and staff for your efforts in furthering our mission, and express my sincere appreciation to the individuals who have agreed to serve on the leadership team.
Please join me in congratulating Dr. Nancy Wallace on her appointment as the Dean of the School of Education and Human Services (SEHS). Her appointment follows a survey of the SEHS faculty about their recommendation about the leadership of the SEHS. The response rate was 92%, and almost 80% of the faculty who cast ballots recommended that Dr. Wallace be appointed the school’s dean.
Dr. Wallace has served numerous roles at Canisius during her 21-year tenure including faculty member – she is a tenured Associate Professor in the Department of Teacher Education and Leadership, Director of Partnerships for the SEHS, Associate Dean of the SEHS (serving separately at the undergraduate and graduate level), and interim Dean of the SEHS. During her three years as interim Dean, she has navigated the change in accreditors for our teacher education programs, addressed changing requirements and expectations of the New York State Education Department, contributed to the physician assistant program’s provisional accreditation, and helped the Counseling Department improve their data collection in preparation for their self-study. She is well prepared to support the SEHS programs through successful accreditation processes (three in the next two years) and to contribute to a successful Middle States accreditation process.
Canisius and the SEHS are genuinely fortunate that she is willing to continue to lead the SEHS and to address the needs of our students, colleagues, and programs. Congratulations and thank you, Dean Wallace.
Submitted by: Sara R Morris, Vice President for Academic Affairs
Canisius College is proud to announce that it has been named a 2022-23 “College of Distinction” by the national publication for college-bound students. Canisius was recognized for its exemplary commitment in four key areas: Engaged Students, Great Teaching, Vibrant Community and Successful Outcomes.
In addition to this overall undergraduate recognition, Canisius College was named a “Catholic College of Distinction.” This distinction recognizes schools that prepare both the hearts and minds of students for success. It also acknowledges the unique benefits that Catholic institutions provide, such as small class sizes and more personal attention to students.
Canisius College was also included among a 2022-23 cohort of institutions named as “Education Colleges of Distinction.” The honor recognizes a school’s commitment to nurturing and supporting future educators.
Click here to read more about each of these distinctions.
The Human Resources Department is pleased to acknowledge Canisius College faculty and staff as they achieve service milestones in 2022. Please save the date for the Celebration of Service recognition event, scheduled for Thursday, October 27, from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. in the Grupp Fireside Lounge.
Click hereto add this event to your digital calendar.
Submitted by: Linda M. Walleshauser, SPHR-SHRM-CP, Associate Vice President for Human Resources & Compliance
The second Borders & Migrations event is coming up on October 5 at 12:00 p.m. in the Bouwhuis Library. The event features John Paul Brammer, the author and illustrator of the award winning book ¡Hola, Papi! – a funny and poignant memoir and advice column in the style of David Sedaris and Dan Savage.
The event is free and open to the public.
For more information on the author and book, click here.
Submitted by: Richard D. Reitsma, PhD, associate professor of Spanish, Department of Modern Languages, Literatures & Cultures
