SUNY Oneonta

Names Provost

After 4-Year Gap

Dean At Misericordia To Fill

Top Academic Post On July 8

ONEONTA – A dean at Misericordia University in Dallas, Pa., Dr. Leamor Kahanov, has been named SUNY Oneonta provost, the college’s top academic officer.  She begins work July 8.

She succeeds Maria Thompson, who resigned four years ago to become president of Coppin State University in Baltimore.  Since 2015, there have been two interim provosts:  Jim Mackin until Jan. 1, succeeded by Dr. André Melendez, who arrived last fall from the SUNY Hispanic Leadership Institute, and will continue until Kahanov’s arrival .

At Misericordia, Kahanov served as dean of the College of Health Sciences & Education since 2014. Prior to her tenure there, she held positions at Indiana State University, San Jose State University and San Francisco State University.

Dr. Kahanov earned a bachelor’s degree in exercise science and athletic training from Indiana University, a master’s degree in exercise and sports sciences from the University of Arizona and a doctorate in education, curriculum and instruction from the University of San Francisco.

She has authored or co-authored more than 80 articles published in peer-reviewed journals in the last five years and secured 20 grants, gifts and contracts for professional development events, capital projects, research and scholarships since 2011.

“I’m excited to have a scholar/leader of Dr. Kahanov’s caliber join SUNY Oneonta’s leadership team,” said SUNY Oneonta President Barbara Jean Morris. “I know the new provost is eager to take her post and that the community will give her a warm welcome.”

“I am honored to join SUNY Oneonta and look forward to collaborating with the campus community to ensure our environment maximizes student potential,” said Dr. Kahanov.

Mackin announced his intended resignation last September, following the retirement over the summer of SUNY President Nancy Kleniewski.   It was understood that Kleniewski, anticipating her retirement, had delayed filling the position to allow her successor to recruit her own candidate for the key position.

As it happens, both Oneonta colleges will have new provosts at the same time: William J. Ehmann, now provost at Marymount University in Arlington, Va., begins work July 1 at Hartwick College, succeeding Michael Tannenbaum.