SUNY Oswego names Scott R. Furlong provost and academic vice president

SUNY Oswego President Deborah F. Stanley has announced the appointment of Dr. Scott R. Furlong as provost and vice president for academic affairs, effective July 10, 2017.

As the college’s chief academic officer, Furlong will be responsible for leadership of all instructional and academic programs across the college, including Oswego’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, School of Business, School of Education, and School of Communication, Media and the Arts.

"Dr. Furlong has an outstanding record of leadership and collaboration in higher education, and is passionately committed to teaching, research development and providing students with a transformative experience," said President Stanley. "His roles as a faculty member, program director and chair, and more recently as dean have prepared him well to make immediate contributions as the chief academic officer at SUNY Oswego."

Furlong is the dean of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, where he oversees 30 academic programs, six research centers and institutes, more than 110 faculty and academic staff and a budget of over $8 million. As a member of the Provost’s Administrative Council, Furlong actively participates in providing university-wide advice on decisions affecting academic and student affairs including enrollment management and retention issues, program development, budgets, inclusive excellence initiatives, information technology and adult education.  He also possesses a strong background in curriculum development, faculty development and university-wide strategic planning.

"I am extremely grateful and humbled by my selection as the new provost/vice president for academic affairs for SUNY Oswego," said Furlong. "Everything that I learned throughout the search process showed a true dedication by the Oswego community to the development and success of Oswego students through high-quality and varied academic programs, high impact experiences and community engagement. These are all areas that I am very passionate about and I look forward to working with the SUNY Oswego community to build on its successes and continue its forward trajectory."

Throughout his career, Furlong has led and participated in efforts to further integrate the ideals of a liberal arts education into the UW-Green Bay curriculum including critical innovations in developing first-year seminars and related programming, implementing a campus Common Theme program, promoting cross-cultural experiences and leading general education reform.

UWGB Provost Dr. Gregory Davis spoke highly of Furlong, a friend and colleague of his for more than two decades. "I've always been most impressed with Scott's unwavering commitment to shared governance, liberal education, and student success," said Davis. "I have no doubts that he will be successful and well-respected in his new role of Provost at SUNY Oswego."

Furlong received his doctorate in political science from American University. He also earned a master in public administration from American University, and a bachelor of art degree in government from St. Lawrence University.  

In his spare time, Furlong enjoys exercising, reading, spending time with family and keeping up on current events as a policy scholar. Furlong, who will succeed Dr. Walter Roettger as provost and vice president for academic affairs, added, "My wife, Debbie, and I can’t wait to join the Oswego family."