I write with important information concerning transitions in the Office of Academic Affairs.

As many of you know, Dr. J. Michael Parrish, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, has announced that he will be retiring at the end of September. Michael has served as Provost at CSI since January of 2019, and during that time, helped the College transition during one of the toughest times we ever had to face. He helped move our academic programs to an entirely remote environment during a national pandemic and then back to campus in a new hybrid environment, and he did so with grace and tireless effort. He also worked to reestablish the CSI Diversity Council, and with the Middle States Steering Committee to facilitate our successful reaccreditation. This was no small feat, and I commend him for his unwavering dedication to the College of Staten Island, our faculty and staff, and most importantly, to our students. In addition, I want to thank him for helping me transition into my role as Interim President and being someone on whom I can rely when needed. Michael is one of the kindest gentleman with whom I have had the pleasure to work and I will miss his calm demeanor, unwavering loyalty, and steady determination to get things done, even in the face of adversity. On behalf of the entire CSI community, I wish to congratulate Michael on his retirement and wish him and his wife, Karen, nothing but the best as he starts this new chapter in his life.

At this time, I would like to announce our incoming Interim Provost, Dr. Michael E. Steiper, who will begin service at the College of Staten Island on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022. Michael is a mission-driven academic leader dedicated to faculty and student success. He comes to CSI following 19 years at Hunter College, where he had roles as a faculty member and administrator. Over his career, Michael established an active research lab and teaching portfolio, helped recruit talented faculty, founded and led an innovative interdisciplinary academic program, transformed key aspects of Hunter’s student success enterprise, improved academic planning, and attracted considerable external funding to advance equity and inclusion. In addition, he has played an integral role in Hunter’s assessment, accreditation, and institutional research processes. A first-generation college student, born and raised in New York, Michael is thrilled to join CSI to serve our mission and support our faculty, staff, and students.

In addition to the above, Dr. Michael Cavagnero, Dean of Science and Technology, has announced his resignation effective Sunday, Sept. 11, to accept an appointment as Director of the Physics Frontiers Centers Program at the National Science Foundation. Dean Cavagnero has been serving in his position since Aug. 1, 2019 and has been a strong and thoughtful leader from the start. Michael has been a passionate advocate for his division, while also understanding the need to be data driven, forward thinking, and patient during a time of uncertainty and seemingly endless challenges. I thank Michael for his service and wish him much success in his new position.

As a result of Dean Cavagnero’s departure, Dr. Ralf Peetz has agreed to serve as Interim Dean of Science and Technology, while continuing to serve in his current role as Associate Provost for Undergraduate Studies and Student Success. Ralf, who served as a faculty member of our Chemistry Department from 2003 through June 2016, taught and developed curriculum at all levels, from introductory undergraduate to advanced graduate PhD classes, and, as Associate Provost, has provided vision and leadership for all undergraduate student learning, while helping our students succeed on their individual paths toward graduation and beyond. Ralf has the qualifications and experience to take on this additional responsibility and provide leadership to the division that will help continue to promote academic excellence in the sciences.

I ask that you join me in acknowledging the hard work and contributions of Drs. Parrish and Cavagnero and in welcoming and congratulating Drs. Steiper and Peetz.

My best, ​

Timothy G. Lynch, Ph.D. (he/him/his)