One might expect campus to be quiet over the summer, with students gone and faculty away. That wasn’t the case in summer 2025. Instead, construction crews were converting spaces, contractors were renovating classrooms and academic departments were moving to new offices across campus.
With the first day of classes now in the books, it’s time to see what all the noise was about. Click here to find out.
As a new academic year gets underway, the Office of Academic Affairs would like to update faculty and staff on the academic restructuring that took effect August 1. Following recommendations from the Institutional Sustainability Task Force, the university transitioned from a three-unit to a two-unit academic structure. This change is designed to encourage collaboration across academic programs while supporting long-term sustainability. The restructuring maintained all academic programs and faculty positions while creating a framework for increased interdisciplinary collaboration and operational efficiency.
New Academic Leadership Structure
Nancy Wallace, PhD, formerly Dean of the School of Education & Human Services, now serves as Dean of the Division of Arts, Education and Sciences, which includes the:
School of Education & Leadership Studies
School of Arts & Social Sciences
School of Natural Sciences
Shawn O’Rourke, PhD, formerly Dean of the Wehle School of Business, now serves as Dean of the Division of Business, Communication and Health Professions. This division includes the:
Richard J. Wehle School of Business
School of Behavioral & Health Studies
School of Data, Computing and Mathematics
School of Communication, Marketing & Media
Associate Vice President Irene Holohan-Moyer, PhD, will serve as the administrator for the School of Continuing and Professional Studies.
Supporting this new structure are six faculty members who have moved into associate dean roles: Richard Bailey, PhD; Katie Costanzo, PhD; Julie Anna Golebiewski, PhD; Mark Harrington, PhD; Karl Kozlowski, PhD; and Joshua Russell, PhD.
Additional Leadership Updates
Samantha Brennan was named interim registrar. Sam stepped into a leadership role in the Registrar’s Office in March and has successfully guided the institution through graduation, catalog development, academic restructuring and semester start-up projects.
Fatima Rodriguez-Johnson, EdD, has accepted the role of Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs. Dr. Rodriguez-Johnson will continue leading diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, as well as HEOP and COPE programs while joining the Academic Affairs leadership team.
Kira Varada also joined the Office of Academic Affairs on August 11. Kira provides communication and project management support from Bagen 103.
Looking Ahead
The changes noted above represent the first phase of the academic restructuring work. The goal of this first phase was to develop an operational structure that encourages collaboration across all academic programs. The second phase will unfold during the upcoming academic year, with faculty involvement through the Faculty Senate.
This past June, Dr. Richard Reitsma, Professor of Modern Languages, Literature and Cultures, was embedded with the president of Agros in Guatemala, witnessing the organization’s transformative work in rural communities firsthand.
Reitsma wrote a reflection about his experience, describing Agros as “radical love in action”—a faith-based nonprofit that empowers indigenous farmers and weavers through sustainable, long-term community development rather than temporary aid. He was particularly inspired by their work with the Nicolás School and their patient, culturally-respectful approach to breaking cycles of poverty.
Reitsma’s full reflection can be read on the Agros website.
The Buffalo News interviewed President Steve Stoute for an August 22 story highlighting how the university has reduced its structural deficit by nearly 75% from more than $10 million four years ago to an expected $3.5 million this year. Contributing to this positive trajectory, is this year’s freshman class, which is the largest in three years with 567 new undergraduate students – a 16% increase over last year, driven largely by the success of the Buffalo Promise Scholarship. Click here to read the full Buffalo News story. In addition to The Buffalo News, WIVB-TV Channel 4 also reported on Canisius welcoming its largest freshman class.
Economics and Finance Professor Julie Anna Golebiewski, PhD, weighed in with The Buffalo News for an August 19 story about the jump in Buffalo Niagara’s jobless rate. She explained that the uncertainty over the economy amid fluctuating tariff policies has prompted companies to move cautiously adding seasonal workers. Click here to read the story.
Canisius University President Steve Stoute was a guest on the August 16 podcast “R-House with Peter Hunt” on WBEN-AM Radio. He highlighted the university’s role as a both a leader and convener in the community, noting that while Canisius may not always have the answers, it can bring people together to engage in critical issues and conversations. President Stoute also discussed the Buffalo Promise Scholarship, an initiative that underscores the university’s commitment to Buffalo. In its pilot year, more than 1,000 students from the 142- ZIP code applied to Canisius, lo. “One year does not make a resounding success but … we had more than 1,000 students apply for admission to Canisius from the 142- ZIP code, over 300-plus were admitted, and 128 enrolled as Buffalo Promise Scholars. “That’s the type of convening we want to aspire to,” he said. Click here to listen to the full podcast.
