On Friday, Syracuse University officially promoted Carole Brzozowski, dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts, to the position of university performing arts presenter.

Brzozowski, who served as VPA dean for the last four years, will now work directly with Chancellor Nancy Cantor and her cabinet to help connect SU’s VPA school with other performing arts groups around the world, according to SU news.

After Brzozowski’s departure, VPA joins S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, the College of Arts and Sciences and the iSchool in a search for permanent deans.

The role of university performing arts presenter was created by Brzozowski after realizing her goal of increasing the visibility of SU through the scholarship in action program.

‘It’s something that the university has been talking about for a long time,’ Vice Chancellor Eric Spina said. ‘Someone whose job it was to focus on external performers like a dance company and someone that would work with our performing arts groups as well.’

Throughout her career Brzozowski has been an innovator in the performing arts, connecting her students with various internships in opera houses, recording studios and on Broadway. She has also established VPA programs in New York City, Los Angeles and Florence.

‘She knows our faculty and students very well, over the past eight years she’s become very well connected across the country…she knows everyone and has a high-level executive understanding,’ added Spina.

As for VPA, Brzozowski will continue to serve as dean until Spina appoints a replacement.

Spina will be meeting with VPA faculty today to discuss a possible hiring. Although he cannot comment definitively, he believes the dean could come from inside the VPA school, citing timeliness and expertise as reasons behind the potential decision.

Published on January 27, 2008 at 12:00 pm