Dear Members of the SUNY Oswego Community–
At the Opening Breakfast and State of the University yesterday, I emphasized the importance of preparing our university not only for today’s challenges, but also for tomorrow’s opportunities. Doing so requires us to understand the changing higher education landscape and make thoughtful, strategic decisions that will sustain our university for years to come.
Like universities across the nation, we face demographic shifts, growing competition for students, and financial pressures. Strengthening enrollment and student persistence is essential to fulfilling our educational mission and ensuring SUNY Oswego’s long-term vitality.
Over the past year, we have expanded direct-admission partnerships, launched the Laker Scholars summer bridge program, enhanced scholarships and financial aid, streamlined admissions communications and application processing, strengthened transfer pathways, and expanded opportunities for adult learners through SUNY Oswego at Syracuse.
We have also intensified our focus on retention. Through SUNY’s Academic Momentum initiative, we are strengthening academic planning and proactive advising, using data to identify students who may need additional support, and intervening earlier to help students remain on track to graduation.
These efforts are central to our work, and their success requires all of us. I ask every member of our campus community to remain engaged, contribute your ideas and expertise within your area of responsibility, and take shared ownership of these priorities. Our collective commitment will be essential to strengthening the future of SUNY Oswego.
At the same time, preparing for the future requires us to ask a broader question: How do we ensure that our academic programs continue to evolve with the needs of our students, our region, and the rapidly changing world our graduates will enter?
The answer requires more than enrollment growth. It requires us to continually strengthen our academic enterprise, encourage innovation and collaboration, and ensure our programs remain vibrant, relevant, and responsive.
One important step is the Academic Program Performance Initiative, or APPI. Last week, we introduced APPI at the President’s Leadership Retreat, bringing together members of the President’s Cabinet and Extended Cabinet, including deans, department chairs, and Faculty Assembly leadership. Their discussion and feedback have helped us further refine the initiative, clarify key elements, and strengthen the framework as we move toward implementation. We have also briefed the UUP leadership and incorporated guidance from SUNY System.
Strong universities never stop improving. They regularly assess their academic programs, build on their strengths, and pursue new opportunities to better serve students and society. Continuous improvement is a hallmark of academic excellence and an important expectation of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) accreditation process. With SUNY Oswego’s next comprehensive self-study evaluation scheduled for 2029–2030, this work is especially timely. It reflects our ongoing commitment to institutional effectiveness, accountability, and student success.
APPI provides SUNY Oswego with a university-wide, annual, evidence-based framework for continuous improvement. Drawing on data we already collect through institutional research and assessment, it will help academic programs make informed decisions, align resources strategically, and strengthen outcomes related to enrollment, student success, instructional activity, workforce demand, post-graduation outcomes, and evolving federal measures such as Gainful Employment—all while remaining grounded in our institutional mission.
Most importantly, APPI is about opportunity. It will help us strengthen existing programs, encourage innovation, foster cross-disciplinary collaboration, and ensure our academic offerings continue to prepare graduates for a rapidly changing world. APPI will also create meaningful opportunities for faculty and academic leaders to build on SUNY Oswego’s strengths while identifying new opportunities for distinction and growth.
As with all important academic planning, APPI will advance through our established shared governance processes and will be guided by evidence, collaboration, and our shared commitment to academic excellence.
A principle that has guided me throughout my career in higher education is simple: preparing for tomorrow requires us to understand where we are today, build on what we do well, and continuously seek ways to become stronger.
Implementation of APPI is now underway. To support departments in this work, the Division of Academic Affairs will offer workshops to walk through the APPI template, provide guidance on its use, and answer additional questions. I encourage colleagues to participate in these sessions and to review the information and resources available on our APPI website.
Thank you for your continued dedication to our students and to the future of our university.
Remain well,
Peter O. Nwosu, Ph.D.
President