Dear Members of the SUNY Oswego Community–
I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Murat Yaşar as deputy to the president for strategy, planning and special projects. A distinguished scholar and leader in higher education, Dr. Yaşar brings to the role a wealth of experience, a visionary approach, and a strong commitment to student success and academic excellence. His long-standing dedication to SUNY Oswego, along with his significant contributions to the campus community, makes him an ideal choice for this key position. He succeeds Mary Toale, who served in this role before joining SUNY Geneseo as provost last March.
In his new role, Dr. Yaşar will provide leadership and oversight of the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment (IRA), serve as a senior advisor to the president, lead the important work of aligning the university’s strategic priorities with its mission and goals, as well as other special projects as assigned. As a member of the President’s Cabinet, he will oversee, in consultation with the university leadership team, the implementation and evaluation of the university’s strategic plan and Vision 4040 for a more educated region as well as advancing the Oswego Promise of expanding access to higher education. Dr. Yaşar will lead the President’s Professional Development Series, which focuses on building leadership capacity to advance our strategic priorities, through initiatives like the annual retreat and planning and assessment workshops. Additionally, he will manage high-priority and confidential assignments, represent the president in labor relations with unions such as United University Professions, the Civil Service Employees Association and the Public Employees Federation, and work collaboratively with appropriate campus and system units to provide guidance on personnel matters related to SUNY policies, faculty bylaws and union agreements.
Dr. Yaşar has served SUNY Oswego in a variety of academic and administrative roles since 2013, including his current position as associate dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) and professor of history. As associate dean of CLAS, he oversaw the reporting and faculty support needs of more than 45 programs and supported the success of nearly 3,000 students annually. He strengthened faculty development through mentoring programs, professional workshops, and tenure and promotion guidance, fostering a culture of collaboration and academic excellence. His administrative efforts also included planning and assessment initiatives, such as leading annual reporting processes, program self-studies and institutional decision-making. From 2022 to 2024, he served as the interim chair of the Human Development Department, overseeing the day-to-day management needs and helping create a vibrant and energetic department culture. Dr. Yaşar has also distinguished himself through his dedication to shared governance and collaborative service on campus, serving on more than 40 campus-wide and departmental committees.
A champion of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), Dr. Yaşar led the CLAS DEI Committee and helped CLAS integrate DEI objectives into academic programs, supporting the creation of courses addressing social justice. He assisted in the launch of new programs in emerging fields, including Latino and Latin American Studies and Child Advocacy Studies, as well as participated in initiatives such as online learning and interdisciplinary opportunities in human development, e-sports and hazard communications.
Beyond his administrative accomplishments, Dr. Yaşar is a respected scholar of Ottoman and Eurasian history, with research published in peer-reviewed journals and books. He has received numerous accolades, including the Peterson Literary Fund Grand Prix for Excellence in Translation. Dr. Yaşar earned his Ph.D. in Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations from the University of Toronto and advanced degrees in international relations and history from Bilkent University and Middle East Technical University. His multilingual and interdisciplinary expertise reflects his wide-ranging contributions to higher education.
Please join me in welcoming Dr. Yaşar to this pivotal role as we look forward to his leadership in advancing SUNY Oswego’s mission and fostering a community defined by innovation, collaboration and excellence.
Remain well,
Peter O. Nwosu
President