The Syracuse University Office of First-Year and Transfer programs ended its three-month search for a new director with the hiring of Carrie Grogan Abbott, former associate director of admissions and student services for SUAbroad.

Rebecca Reed Kantrowitz, associate vice president for Inclusion, Community and Citizenship, said the previous director of the office, Greg Victory, left to accept a position at the Rhode Island School of Design in August, after the Syracuse Welcome event. The office began searching for a new director right away, and hired Grogan Abbott in November, she said.

Kantrowitz said the office did a national search for a new director and brought three candidates to campus. She said, ultimately, Grogan Abbott was hired because she ‘did exceptionally well across the board.’

‘She was seen as being highly collaborative, she has had very strong experiences in the past, which included both working at study abroad … and she also had worked in our orientation office prior to working in study abroad,’ Kantrowitz said.

Grogan Abbott, who started Nov. 16, said she is honored to be hired to for the job.

‘I’m really excited to take on this amazing, challenging position,’ she said.

Before working with SUAbroad, Grogan Abbott was the assistant director in the Office of Orientation and Transition Services, the former title for the Office of First-Year and Transfer programs. She said she has worked at SU for close to 12 years now and is excited to be returning to the office.

While working at SUAbroad, Grogan Abbott primarily managed student matters for the division including financial aid and crisis issues. This new job, she said, will allow her to focus on ‘bigger picture issues.’

Thomas Wolfe, senior vice president and dean of student affairs, said he thinks Grogan Abbott’s experience at SU will help her succeed in the new position.

‘She’s known to the community, and she’s just great with students,’ he said.

Grogan Abbott said she’ll be collaborating with students, faculty members and the Syracuse community in her new position. She said she’ll support students entering their first year at the university, a crucial time for students.

Grogan Abbot said the office is now focusing on putting together welcome programs, which take place in both August and January. She said the office is going to continue to work hard and focus on collaborating with others to enhance the first year experience.

Kantrowitz said she hopes to see Grogan Abbott continue the strong work of previous directors.

She said: ‘I really am hoping where Carrie can continue good work is to continue to make connections and better understand the first-year student experience and offering the right kind of support.’

snbouvia@syr.edu

Published on December 7, 2011 at 12:00 pm

Contact Stephanie: snbouvia@syr.edu | @snbouvia