With nearly two decades of experience working in higher education, Williams brings a wealth of expertise and understanding of the academic landscape to this role.Ěý Since stepping in as interim director in April of 2025, he has been instrumental in the continued success of the Kearns Center and has demonstrated exceptional leadership and stability, guiding the Center with a steadfast commitment to excellence. His dedication to the Center’s mission and the students it serves makes him the ideal person to lead the Kearns Center into the future.

Before being named interim director, Williams worked in the Kearns Center as director for graduate diversity, leading initiatives that support the recruitment, retention, and success of historically underrepresented students, particularly in STEM disciplines. Prior to working at the University of Rochester, Williams worked for four years as the assistant director of the Higher Education Opportunity (HEOP) program at Rochester Institute of Technology.

“I’m excited to continue the great work at the Kearns Center with this amazing team,” William said. “Over the past year I have gotten to work more closely with them, and learn how they work best, and they have knocked it out of the park. I’m so grateful and look forward to building on the Kearns Center’s legacy and supporting all students that enter the University of Rochester.”

As a first-generation college graduate, he holds a BA in Sociology from Alfred University, an MS in Sports Management from American Public University, and an EdD in Educational Leadership from the American College of Education. His doctoral research focused on the retention and persistence of Black male students at predominantly white institutions.

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Gresens, a faculty member in the Department of Religion and Classics since 2009, brings a wealth of experience and expertise to this position. His work specializes in classical languages and literature, with a focus on ancient Greek and Roman texts. He has been recognized for his innovative teaching methods and commitment to student success. He served on the College Academic Honesty Policy Committee that rewrote the academic honesty policy and has served as a board member and deputy chair of the Board on Academic Honesty.

In his new role, Gresens will provide strategic leadership in advancing a proactive and educational approach to academic integrity across the University. His work will focus on delivering education, training, and outreach programs designed to promote a shared understanding of academic honesty among students, faculty, and staff. By working closely with faculty, graduate instructors, students, and academic units, he will help strengthen curriculum and instruction to embed principles of integrity into the fabric of the University’s academic culture.

Gresens will also collaborate with the Board on Academic Honesty and other administrative leaders to ensure consistent, equitable, and evolving practices related to academic integrity. This includes addressing emerging challenges, such as the ethical use of artificial intelligence in teaching and research and leveraging data-informed approaches to guide policy development and institutional practices.

Please join us in congratulating Nicholas Gresens on his appointment and in welcoming him to this new role.

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Myers joined the University in 2006 after a distinguished career in the corporate sector, including leadership roles at Eastman Kodak. At Rochester, she was named the University’s first chief information security officer and was charged with helping strengthen the institution’s growing digital infrastructure at a time when information technology was becoming increasingly central to teaching, research, healthcare, and administration.

Over the course of her tenure, Myers has helped guide the University through a period of significant technological transformation. She has played a key role in developing a more coordinated enterprise approach to technology, building stronger governance and strategy for major systems, and helping integrate IT operations across the University and the Medical Center.

Reflecting on her time at Rochester, Myers said she is most proud of the way technology has helped connect people and work across the institution.

“I have loved being part of the University of Rochester community, and it has truly been an honor to serve here,” Myers said. “If there is one accomplishment that makes me proud, it’s helping make the University feel smaller by bringing people, systems, and applications together in ways that are more cohesive and intentional.”

Myers noted that when she first arrived, many systems operated independently of one another. Today, she says, technology across the University is significantly more connected and aligned with institutional priorities.

“The role of IT is ultimately about enabling people,” she said. “At a university with roughly 40,000 faculty, staff and students across academic, research, and healthcare environments, our job is to make sure the technology works in ways that help people be as productive and effective as possible.”

Under her leadership, the University strengthened enterprise information technology governance and built a more strategic framework for managing major technology platforms. Myers also helped to champion collaborations across the River Campus and the University of Rochester Medical Center, helping to ensure that systems and infrastructure could support the University’s integrated academic, research, and clinical missions.

Looking ahead, Myers believes the institution is well positioned to build on this foundation, particularly in areas such as data analytics and the rapidly expanding role of artificial intelligence in higher education and healthcare.

Provost Nicole Sampson thanked Myers for her long service and recognized her impact on the institution. “Julie has been an exceptional leader and partner to the University community,” Sampson said. “Through her efforts, the University now benefits from a far more harmonized and strategically aligned IT ecosystem. Her work has strengthened our ability to support research, education, and clinical care in an increasingly digital world.”

Myers is currently working through a transition plan with University leadership to ensure that critical initiatives and priority projects continue moving forward smoothly over the coming months.

In retirement, Myers looks forward to spending more time with her growing family, including her nine grandchildren, with a tenth on the way, traveling with her husband, and continuing to find ways to support the University’s mission.

A national search will be initiated to identify Myers’s successor. More information about the search will be available in the coming weeks.

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J. Albert (Al) C. Uy, Dean’s Professor of Biology and current chair of the Department of Biology, has been appointed interim dean of the University of Rochester’s School of Arts & Sciences. He succeeds Duje Tadin, who has served as interim dean since August 2024 and previously held the position in the summer of 2023. Uy will will begin serving as interim on September 1 and will remain in that role until a permanent dean is appointed. An announcement about the permanent dean is expected in the coming weeks.

A distinguished evolutionary biologist and elected fellow of the American Ornithological Society, Uy’s research explores the genetics, behavior, and ecology of speciation, with fieldwork spanning the Pacific Islands and the Americas. Since joining the University of Rochester in 2020, he has led the Department of Biology, served on key University committees, and advanced interdisciplinary research and conservation initiatives. Information regarding the interim chair of the Department of Biology will be available soon.

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As you are aware, there are several changes to federal funding for higher education and science. These pressures include anticipated changes to the Federal Supplemental Research and Development (F&A) rate on federal grants and reduced funding from the federal agencies. Additionally, the University anticipates lower undergraduate and Master’s enrollments this year due to national admissions trends and challenges faced by some students in obtaining visas.

To ensure our continued support for our current PhD students and to maintain a high-quality academic experience, we will implement a few changes:

1. Starting September 1, 2025, all grant applications will be required to budget $16,000 for tuition (or the maximum allowed up to $16,000). This amount will increase annually in line with University tuition rates, but for budgeting purposes, assume a 2% increase each year. Active grants or grants already submitted are not required to charge tuition. Your grants office can assist you in implementing this change.
2. Beginning July 1, 2026, internal university accounts will be charged the same level of tuition as external awards (including but not limited to departmental funds, endowed funds, pilot funds and startup funds). School Deans will provide more information about this change in their schools over the coming year.
3. For reference, this follows the same practice as many of our peer institutions, particularly those with membership in the AAU.

In addition, there will be a significant evaluation of PhD recruitment for the 2026-2027 academic year. Over the coming months, school deans will collaborate with departments to develop specific plans for each program, particularly focused on program outcomes and supporting our current students.

The University is fully committed to PhD education and does not make these decisions lightly. These tuition charges will not result in increased charges for our graduate students. Given the current financial situation and the ongoing threat to international student recruitment, higher education, and science funding, these measures were taken to ensure financial support and continued excellence in PhD education.

Thank you for your prompt attention and continued commitment to our PhD students. If you have questions regarding these changes, please reach out to your graduate dean.

Sincerely,

Nicole S. Sampson
Provost and Chief Academic Officer
University Professor of Chemistry

Stephen Dewhurst
Vice President for Research
Vice Dean for Research, School of Medicine & Dentistry

Rick Libby
Interim Vice Provost
Interim University Dean ofĚýGraduate Education

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The University is updating policies, procedures, and resources to improve support for international travelers on University-sponsored programs or business. Ěý

Due to anticipated changes to our international travel insurance policy in December 2025 and increased geopolitical risks worldwide, all University-sponsored or supported travel, including faculty and staff business travel, must be registered through the °µÍřłÔąĎ International Travel Registry at least two weeks in advance. Registration enables the University to provide support during emergency response, and it is a critical step to ensuring travelers can access university-provided resources, such as international travel insurance and assistance, abroad. The process is simple, takes only a few minutes, and may be completed by the traveler or a department administrator or other staff member (“proxy registration”). Ěý

Although registration is now required, faculty and staff travel will remain unrestricted. Registration does not initiate a review process and serves only as a visibility and record-keeping tool to enable critical support capabilities. Additionally, the University does not oversee personal travel; this element will remain unchanged. However, resources such as location-specific safety and security reports are available to anyone with Active Directory credentials and a password, and those resources may be referenced regardless of the purpose of travel.ĚýĚý

The U.S. Dept. of State, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other resources posted on the Office for Global Engagement website are also valuable sources of travel information that should be reviewed prior to international travel.Ěý

Thank you for your cooperation and support of these important policies.Ěý

Sincerely,Ěý

Nicole S. Sampson
Provost and Chief Academic Officer
University Professor of ChemistryĚý

Ravi Shankar
Interim Vice Provost for Global EngagementĚý

Ěý

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As a key member of the Enrollment division senior management team, Ryan will lead initiatives that strengthen Rochester’s position as a leading independent research university—one of the few institutions that meets demonstrated financial need and offers merit scholarships, including for international students.

“Megan is an exceptional addition to our team,” said Robert Alexander, vice provost and university dean of enrollment. “Her collaborative leadership style, analytical approach, and commitment to student success align perfectly with Rochester’s values and vision, and her understanding of contemporary admissions practices and market trends will be instrumental in achieving the University’s enrollment goals. I’m also deeply grateful for the interim leadership that Sam Veeder, associate vice provost and university director of financial aid, provided the Admissions Office during this past cycle.”

Ryan brings extensive experience, most recently serving as vice president for enrollment management at Muhlenberg College, where she achieved sustained enrollment growth and grew application volume by 20% in three years. Ryan has led and mentored teams across the Offices of Admissions, Financial Aid, and Institutional Effectiveness, fostering a high-performance, growth-focused culture centered on relationship development and enrollment success.

Prior to her role at Muhlenberg, Ryan served as interim vice president for enrollment and as executive director of admissions and financial aid at Allegheny College, and as associate director of admission at Carnegie Mellon University. Ryan’s academic credentials include graduate degrees from Carnegie Mellon the National University of Ireland, and a bachelor’s degree from Villanova University. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Ryan has held leadership roles within the Pennsylvania Association for College Admission Counseling (PACAC) and contributed to the broader enrollment profession through service to the National Association for College Admission Counseling, the Common App, and other national organizations. Through these associations, Ryan has advanced best practices in enrollment management, and fostered collaboration and professional development across the higher education community.

“I’m drawn to Rochester by its institutional mission and commitment to Meliora values,” Ryan said. “I am a firm believer in striving to be ever better and bring this approach to building teams and enrollment strategies every day. As a Rochester native, I know well the role the University plays as an educational leader in the region, and as a national presence in research and impact.”

Ryan will begin her role on July 30, and will lead and develop a large and dynamic admissions team to identify, recruit, and enroll students who embody the University’s mission, advance institutional goals, and provide transformative educational opportunities to outstanding students.

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Establishing new transdisciplinary centers is also a key indicator of success for Boundless Possibility, the University’s 2030 strategic plan. Creating centers and institutes that are unique to Rochester in areas where the University can conduct consequential research is part of a .

“I want to thank all our faculty who participated in this process for sharing their ideas, strengthening our institutional connections, and shaping the future of research at the University,” Mangelsdorf said. “It’s clear that the spirit of innovation and collaboration is alive and well at Rochester. Each project represents ideas and frontiers that have great potential and deserve our attention and support.”

The four newly funded centers are poised to explore urgent and emerging questions that demand collaborative inquiry and bold thinking:

Award: $4 million over five years

Combining Rochester’s strengths in music, engineering, and science, Soundspace will push artistic and technical boundaries while exploring the intersection of music, sound, and technology. The team will focus on developing a best-in-class hub for research, education, performance, and public engagement.

Award: $2 million over five years

Focusing on extended reality—virtual reality, augmented reality, and everything in between—EXTRRA integrates optics, computing, neuroscience, and education to develop immersive platforms that improve learning, accessibility, and workforce training. Its vision is to reshape how individuals engage with digital and natural environments.

Award: $2 million over five years

The faculty members behind URÂłC are studying the “ordinary magic” that enables some people to recover and thrive following adversity faster or better than others. They aim to identify the sociocultural factors and other mechanisms that perpetuate stress-related health issues, enabling the development of novel interventions that prevent or reverse those conditions.

Award: $500,000 over two years

A group of University scientists and engineers aim to advance quantum technologies through light-matter interaction. By pooling their skills and resources, they are pushing the frontiers of quantum science and classical coherence while also enabling practical application within optical science and optical engineering.

Big bets and a bold initiative

The creation of these centers comes at a pivotal time for research universities. In a shifting landscape of public trust and funding constraints, Rochester is betting on .

Going beyond cross-disciplinary scholarship, transdisciplinary research requires faculty to work in a way that builds on each other’s ideas to reshape their respective fields or create a new one altogether.

To ignite the kind of research that would drive discovery while strengthening the University’s service to humanity and national standing, the Office of the Provost, in cooperation with Office of the Vice President of Research, created a multi-phase proposal process. In April 2024, the provost’s office issued a request for proposals to receive one-year planning grants, garnering an impressive 42 submissions. An anonymous committee of 10 distinguished scholars from across the University, Steve Dewhurst, theĚývice president for research, and then-provost David Figlio, chose 10 proposals.

Narrowing the field was simply a matter of resources. Dewhurst explains that if we try to fund too many ideas “No one will ever get enough money to do something distinctive,” adding that “If we pick too few, we’re placing our bets too narrowly.”

Phase two of the process sought comprehensive proposals—including those from teams who did not receive planning grants—for funding to establish a new transdisciplinary center or institute. All 10 planning grant recipients and three additional teams submitted plans for competitive review. Nearly 60 evaluations from external reviewers, along with input from a faculty panel and deans led to the selection of Soundspace, EXTRRA, UR³C, and CCQS.

A model for future investment

The transdisciplinary research initiative is the first time the University has ever used input from external experts to determine funding for large-scale internal research and scholarship across the institution. In addition to phase-two feedback, four external reviewers—all members of the National Academies and representing distinct scholarly domains—were invited to sit in on the four awardees’ final presentations on June 9, and to provide feedback on each of the proposals.

“This initiative is about building our global reputation through transdisciplinary research,” said Nicole Sampson, the provost of the University of Rochester. “By engaging external reviewers, we sought to spread the word about the fantastic research and education happening at Rochester ever further.”

The reviewers:

Health/Climate

, Alan A. and Edith L. Wolff Distinguished Professor of Pathology and Immunology

Washington University in St. Louis

Natural Sciences

, Evan Pugh University Professor of Geosciences

Penn State University

Social Sciences/Humanities

, Pfizer-Pratt University Professor of Political Science

Duke University

Tech/Engineering

, Neil A. Omenn ’68 University Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Princeton University

Aldrich expressed how glad he was to have played a part in the process. “I can’t overstate what a wonderful idea this is,” he said. “The courage and commitment of the leadership team to do something bold in research right now is inspiring.”

More information on this process can be found on the provost’s website. You can also learn about all 10 planning grant recipients on the Boundless Possibility blog, .

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I am writing to inform you that the Reverend Dr. Denise Yarbrough has announced her retirement as director of religious and spiritual life at the end of the academic year. Throughout her time at the °µÍřłÔąĎ Interfaith Chapel, Rev. Dr. Yarbrough has been a dedicated leader, mentor, and compassionate advocate for interfaith understanding and collaboration within the University community.

An ordained Episcopal priest, Rev. Dr. Yarbrough also serves as an associate professor in the . She is well known for fostering inclusive dialogues, enhancing support for students of all faith traditions, and encouraging understanding between cultural and religious groups. Her commitment to promoting religious literacy and bringing University community members together in times of celebration and grief will have a lasting impact on our students, faculty, and staff.

During her tenure, Rev. Dr. Yarbrough advanced the Interfaith Chapel as a “house of prayer for all people,” leading the initiative to remove fixed pews from the Sanctuary to foster a genuinely interfaith worship space. She also supported the growth of our Muslim and Hindu communities by securing chaplains to provide leadership and assistance to students of those traditions while maintaining support for Jewish, Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, Pagan, and other faith communities.

In partnership with Interfaith America, she secured grants that enabled significant programs at the intersection of science and religion, including a Public Health and Religion course. Another Interfaith America grant piloted the Bridging the Gap: Dialogue Across Difference course. It is now in its third year of equipping students to function competently in contexts where they must work and live with people with whom they disagree.

I am also pleased to announce that Dr. Sean Watson, who currently serves as the associate director in Residential Life and Housing Services and the university’s Pagan Chaplain, has agreed to serve as interim director of the Interfaith Chapel beginning July 1. Dr. Watson earned his bachelor’s degree in French and English from SUNY Plattsburgh, a master of science degree in Educational Administration from the University of Rochester’s Warner School of Education, another master’s degree in human resources management from the Rochester Institute of Technology, and his doctorate in Higher Education Administration from the University of Rochester.

Sean will direct the program for the Interfaith Chapel as we move forward in the search process for new permanent leadership. We are deeply grateful for Rev. Dr. Yarbrough’s outstanding service and wish her all the best in her future endeavors. Please join us in expressing our appreciation for Rev. Yarbrough’s remarkable contributions.

Sincerely,

John

John H. Blackshear, PhD
Vice President for University Student Life
Professor of Psychology

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The graduate students are threatening a strike in an attempt to pressure the University into agreeing to enter into a private election agreement to recognize the union seeking to represent them — a process the University has never before agreed to — rather than the union pursuing recognition through the typical National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) process.Ěý Indeed, every single one of the six bargaining units that exist at the University have been established as a result of an NLRB supervised election process; not one of them through a private election agreement. Additionally, the union is demanding the University take this unprecedented step in the current environment where all of higher education is facing uncertainty, and where the future landscape remains extremely difficult to predict and navigate.

The University hopes that a strike does not ultimately take place here.Ěý However, we are steadfast in the belief that entering into a private election agreement at this time is not in the best interests of the University community at large.Ěý As such, the University will not succumb to the union’s pressure tactics and has taken the necessary steps to put into place contingency plans that will minimize the disruption a potential strike might have on our academic mission, including all teaching and research activities.

The graduate students are a vital part of our University community and, as such, we remain committed to ensuring their success.

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