Marcelle Haddix Takes a Holistic Approach to New Strategic Initiatives Academic Affairs Role (Q&A)

As associate provost for strategic initiatives in the Office of Academic Affairs, Marcelle Haddix wants the work of her office to have an impact on the academic enterprise and the experiences of students—and to connect the University’s academic efforts with the community.

“I want people to see the arts and humanities as central to research, teaching and scholarship,” Haddix says. “I want us to have strong relationships and connections to the surrounding community and to disrupt and challenge the idea that we don’t have that.”

In February, Haddix was appointed by Vice Chancellor, Provost and Chief Academic Officer Gretchen Ritter to the new administrative role. Haddix is fulfilling key functions, overseeing multiple University units and being the Academic Affairs liaison to many campus and community initiatives. She advances diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility initiatives and oversees the First-Year Seminar and Women in Science and Engineering.

Many University arts and humanities organizations, affiliates and research programs report to her office. They include Syracuse University Art Museum, Light Work, La Casita Cultural Center, Point of Contact, the Coalition of Museums and Art Centers, the Lender Center for Social Justice and the Mary Ann Shaw Center for Public and Community Service. She also is principal liaison to the University Senate and liaison to the Syracuse University Libraries, the Office of Community Relations and the University’s other academic programs having community-based or experiential learning components.

In addition, she works to connect the Office of Academic Affairs with the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Academic Leadership for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (ALDEIA), the Women in Leadership Initiative and the Institute for Veterans and Military Families. Currently, the office consists of herself and executive assistant Lucianna Juiliani.

Before her new appointment, Haddix, who has been at the University since 2008 in the School of Education, served as Distinguished Dean’s Professor of Literacy, Race and Justice in reading and language arts and as an affiliated faculty member in the departments of African American Studies, Composition and Cultural Studies, Cultural Foundations of Education, and Women’s and Gender Studies. She also holds a courtesy faculty appointment in the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies.