Dear Members of the SUNY Oswego Community–
I am pleased to announce that Kristen Campbell Eichhorn, dean of graduate studies, will assume an additional leadership role as interim dean of the School of Business, effective July 1, 2025. On this date, the school will formally become the College of Business and Entrepreneurship (COBE).
I expect that Dean Eichhorn will serve in this role for one year as we embark on a search to replace Dean Prabakar Kothandaraman, who will be leaving the university in early July. In the weeks ahead, Provost Scott Furlong will work with Dean Eichhorn to form and charge the committee that will be tasked with developing the leadership profile for the COBE dean. He will also collaborate with the Faculty Assembly Chair Gwen Kay to establish the search committee for the permanent dean search.
Dean Eichhorn brings to this position a distinguished record of leadership, scholarship and service. As dean of graduate studies, she has significantly enhanced SUNY Oswego’s graduate portfolio, successfully launching more than 10 new master’s programs, graduate certificates and microcredentials. Under her stewardship, graduate enrollment has increased by 22%, and by an impressive 68% within the School of Business.
Her leadership has been instrumental in securing funding opportunities for graduate students through the establishment of the Higher Education Leadership Fellows program, Graduate Ambassador program, Community Impact Scholars program and SUNY Oswego’s Stay and Complete Award, which supports undergraduates transitioning directly into graduate studies. Most recently, she secured external grant funding to help mitigate fees for graduate assistants.
Through her partnership with our marketing and communications team, Dean Eichhorn has worked to elevate SUNY Oswego’s graduate programs to national prominence through a wide array of media platforms, including social media outlets such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitch and Spotify, as well as traditional channels like radio, television and national trade publications. Additionally, she spearheaded the launch of the signature research competition, the Three-Minute Thesis, providing SUNY Oswego graduate students with opportunities to compete at both regional and national levels.
She has also fostered a dynamic graduate culture at SUNY Oswego by implementing a comprehensive graduate orientation, developing distinctive graduate programming, establishing annual graduate student awards and creating the graduate commencement lounge. Dean Eichhorn’s dedication to advancing the university’s mission is exemplified by her strategic enrollment management initiatives, including new articulation agreements, streamlined five-year programs, strong advocacy and meaningful community engagement.
In addition to her work as dean, she completed a faculty fellowship in the President’s Office at SUNY Oswego and an American Council on Education fellowship at Cornell University. Her impact is evident across campus initiatives, such as the establishment of lactation rooms in all campus buildings and new construction projects—an outstanding example of her commitment to student, faculty and staff well-being.
A tenured full professor in communication studies, Dean Eichhorn has previously served as interim dean of the Division of Extended Learning and twice as chair of the Department of Communication Studies. Her scholarly work is widely recognized, with publications in the fields of relational communication, organizational behavior, health and public relations. She is also a co-author and co-editor of several foundational texts in communication studies.
Dean Eichhorn’s influence extends beyond SUNY Oswego through her leadership in professional organizations. She currently serves as president-elect of the Northeastern Association of Graduate Schools, chair of the Council of Graduate Schools’ Masters Committee, chair of the New York Sea Grant Board of Governors, co-chair of the Central New York Biotech Accelerator at SUNY Upstate Medical University, and a member of both the American Council on Education Fellows Program’s Finance and Budget Subcommittee and the Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council.
She earned her bachelor's degree from Canisius College, her master’s degree from West Virginia University and her doctorate from the University of Miami.
Please join me in extending our sincere congratulations to Dean Eichhorn. I have every confidence that, under her exemplary and innovative leadership, the School of Business will continue to advance its academic excellence, foster innovation and enhance student success.
Remain well,
Peter O. Nwosu
President