Published January 15, 2015 This content is archived.
To: University Community
From: Charles F. Zukoski
Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs
Date: January 15, 2015
Re: Vice Provost and Dean John T. Ho
SUNY Distinguished Service Professor John T. Ho has shared his plan to step down as Vice Provost for Graduate Education and Dean of the Graduate School, effective August 1, 2015, in order to resume his faculty role in the Department of Physics. A UB faculty member since 1975, John has led UB’s graduate education efforts since 2006.
John’s service as vice provost and dean has been outstanding. In his nine years of leadership, John has enhanced graduate student support and development, helped UB achieve strong graduate enrollments, including record enrollments in several years, and raised the overall prominence and quality of graduate education at UB, among other accomplishments. As a leader, John’s commitment to the success of UB’s graduate programs, students and faculty is matched only by his professionalism and integrity.
By fostering a culture that assesses, promotes, and ensures excellence in UB’s graduate programs, John’s efforts have enhanced the overall quality and prominence of our programs. One way he has achieved this is through the Office of Comprehensive Program Review (OCPR), which administers periodic review of graduate and undergraduate academic programs. The comprehensive review process requires tremendous effort and provides academic units with the opportunity for self-reflection, meaningful external feedback, and critical information that can be used to strengthen academic programs.
John’s efforts have also enhanced graduate student and postdoctoral scholar support and development, leading to improved student experience, education and outcomes. Under John’s leadership, the Graduate School has promoted graduate student retention, completion and career preparation through closer monitoring and advisement, and by working in partnership with various university entities, including the Office of Career Services, the Teaching and Learning Center, and the Center for Excellence in Writing. John also fully established the Office of Postdoctoral Scholars, which provides a structure, culture, and programs to enhance the experience and opportunities for postdoctoral scholars at UB through providing a community and services for postdocs, as well as sponsoring professional and social events.
John’s leadership and collaboration with deans, departments, Office of International Education, and Office of Academic Planning and Budget helped UB achieve strong graduate enrollments and recruit a more selective and diverse graduate student population.
Finally, John’s service on various committees has assisted UB in securing favorable outcomes in important external evaluations, including the National Research Council’s Assessment of Research-Doctorate Programs, and was critical to the success of Middle States reaccreditation and HUB implementation.
John’s commitment to promoting the success of UB’s graduate programs, students, and faculty has greatly advanced our institutional mission of achieving academic excellence.
Colleagues, please join me in thanking John for his dedicated service and wishing him continued success as he returns to his faculty role as SUNY Distinguished Service Professor of Physics.
Scott Weber, Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, will undertake the search process for John’s successor.
