Syracuse Sun

Laura Machia, professor of psychology in the College of Arts and Sciences (A&S), has been appointed as A&S’ associate dean for academic initiatives and curriculum. In this cabinet-level role, Machia will collaborate with the senior associate dean for curriculum affairs, department chairs, undergraduate directors, and the A&S | Maxwell curriculum committee to enhance the strategic management and analysis of academic programs. This appointment aims to refine strategies for undergraduate programs in line with recent academic plans released by both the University and A&S.

Machia’s responsibilities include designing new academic programs, evaluating current ones, managing course sizes and instructional resources, developing study abroad strategies, and overseeing the course catalog and Middle States assessments. A&S Dean Behzad Mortazavi stated that Machia is well-suited for her new position due to her experience directing undergraduate and Ph.D. programs for the psychology department.

“The College of Arts and Sciences comprises one-third of the University’s undergraduate student body, meaning that our academic excellence and operational efficiency play an outsized role in the lives of our students and the overall campus,” says Mortazavi. “I’m confident that Professor Machia—in partnership with the college’s academic and administrative leadership—will help A&S realize its ambitious ASP goals through a curriculum that is rigorous, relevant, inventive, and distinctive.”

Machia expressed enthusiasm about her new role: “Students at SU receive a world-class liberal arts education from dedicated and passionate faculty across A&S and Maxwell. I am excited to work with our departments and programs to further enhance their strengths and partner in their strategic innovation over the coming years as we align with the new ASP.”

In addition to her administrative duties, Machia will continue conducting research and teaching courses in the psychology department. She remarked, “It is a joy to be able to contribute to the college’s academic goals in this new role, in the research lab, and in the classroom.”

Machia joined Syracuse University in 2012 as a social psychologist specializing in close relationships. She has taught courses on social psychology, close relationships, and social dilemmas; authored or coauthored more than 50 empirical papers; and co-edited a book titled “Interdependence, Interaction and Relationships” (2020). Her previous leadership roles include serving as director of the college’s social psychology Ph.D. program from 2018-23; director of undergraduate studies from 2019-23; associate chair of the psychology department from 2019-23; chair of the A&S Academic Committee from 2019-24; member of the University’s Women in Leadership initiative from 2023-24; senior member of Relationship Research Interest Group within Society for Personality and Social Psychology; associate editor at Personal Relationships.

Machia holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in social psychology from Purdue University, along with a B.A. in psychology and sociology from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Her four-year appointment as associate dean begins July 1.