By Erica Scalise
Administrative changes to the university’s senior leadership are underway for the start of the academic year.
Peter Stace, vice president of enrollment, has been named senior vice president for enrollment and strategy. According to a university-wide email by Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of the university, Stace’s promotion is set to formalize his role as co-leader of Fordham’s Continuous University Strategic Planning (CUSP) initiative. The email said the position also recognizes Stace’s contributions to Fordham’s progress in enrollment and entering class profile.
John Buckley, associate vice president of undergraduate enrollment, will be promoted to vice president for admission and student financial services. This new position will more directly involve him in the student financial services team which houses financial aid, student accounts and student employment.
Buckley, who has served the university for 35 years in a variety of capacities, including dean of admission and assistant vice president for enrollment, is hopeful for the promotion.
“I truly believe in the mission of Fordham. That makes it much easier to be authentic and enthusiastic in sharing it with others. It is a school with tremendous momentum,” said Buckley. “One of my goals is to foster stronger collaboration across these key units that serve our students and their families.”
According to Buckley, his adjustment to the position has been smooth thus far. He said he was originally drawn to the enrollment business because it allows him to meet students and their families on a personal level.
“Since my earliest days in higher education, I have enjoyed working in an environment where you can make a difference in the life of a student,” said Buckley. “I feel that we are indeed difference makers in the work that we do. We message prospective students regarding the reasons why Fordham might be a good fit for them academically and socially and then assist them and their families with the critically important ‘financial fit’ piece of the puzzle.”
Among these promotions, the Information Technology (IT) Department is undergoing changes in its search for a new vice president of IT/Chief Information Officer. Frank Sirianni, who filled the position just one month short of 13 years, has retired.
“I was planning this for about a year and let Fr. McShane know early in the spring semester,” said Sirianni. “I’m well past retirement age and want to spend more time with the family.”
Sirianni was responsible for a myriad of the university’s technological needs. He served as overseer of classroom, dormitory and lab technology and managed my.fordham’s banner and research environment for faculty.
Cybersecurity also reported to Sirianni, who helped bring multi factor authentication to Fordham.
“We try to make the environment easy and safe for all of our consumers,” said Sirianni. “We obviously have a communications function to and up to date to see what’s going on.”
According to Sirianni, a search committee is currently in place to help select a new VP/Chief Information Officer. In the meantime, Shaya Phillips, associate VP for IT, will serve as the interim.
“Obviously I stepped away, so I’m not actively helping to search for a new Vice President, but I did help select the interim to serve,” said Sirianni. “Shaya is responsible for so many things and has worked in higher education almost his whole career which made him a good fit.”
According to Sirianni, he expects it will take months to find a new VP.
Sirianni said he’s still active professionally. He’s currently on a trip visiting schools as part of their accreditation review.
“Outside of this, I plan to enjoy my family and do a lot of babysitting,” said Sirianni, “I’m not going to tell you my age but I will say it’s time to relax, play guitar and get the band together.”
