Chancellor Kent Syverud has appointed new representatives to the Board of Trustees at Syracuse University. Dean Mark Lodato from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications will serve as the academic dean representative, while Andrea Rose Persin from the College of Arts and Sciences has been named staff representative. Tula Goenka from the Newhouse School will join as faculty representative. These appointments, which include four student representatives, are effective for a two-year term.
Interim Vice Chancellor and Provost Lois Agnew announced Tula Goenka’s appointment in consultation with the University Senate Academic Affairs Committee. The student representatives include German Nolivos ’26 and Anna Mirer ’26 as undergraduate representatives, Alexia Chatzitheodorou as graduate representative, and Ryleigh Peterson L’26 as law student representative.
Dean Mark Lodato joined Syracuse University in 2020 after his tenure at Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. He plays an active role in initiatives such as the Carnegie-Knight Initiative on Journalism Education and contributes to various partnerships that enhance students’ learning experiences.
Tula Goenka is known for her work in television, radio, film, and human rights activism. Her career includes producing documentaries focusing on women’s rights and social justice issues. Goenka also initiated programs like SU Bollywood and co-directed Syracuse University’s Human Rights Film Festival.
Andrea Rose Persin provides strategic financial oversight within the College of Arts and Sciences. She began her career at Syracuse University in 2015 and holds a degree in business administration from Columbia College.
Anna Mirer is recognized for integrating science with public policy to foster change through mental health research. German Nolivos has served as president of the Student Government Association and is noted for organizing events such as the first Latino Music Festival at Syracuse.
Alexia Chatzitheodorou focuses her Ph.D. research on theoretical soft matter physics while engaging actively in advocacy through various university programs. Law student Ryleigh Peterson serves on several committees within Syracuse University’s College of Law alongside her role on the board.
The diverse expertise of these appointees is expected to bring valuable perspectives to board discussions aimed at achieving strategic objectives aligned with the university’s mission.
