Newhouse Dean, student leaders among new appointees to Board of Trustees
Syracuse University announced new Board of Trustees appointments for the 2025–26 academic year, including student representatives and Newhouse Dean Mark Lodato. Members will serve on key committees to help advance SU’s strategic goals. Joe Zhao | Senior Staff Photographer
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Syracuse University has appointed seven new staff, faculty and student representatives to its Board of Trustees, according to a Wednesday news release.
The representatives are appointed for one and two-year terms beginning the 2025-26 academic year. SU chose representatives based on their diverse backgrounds and experiences, the release states.
SU Chancellor Kent Syverud appointed Mark Lodato, dean of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, as the new academic dean representative. Lodato will join the board’s Academic Affairs committee.
Lodato has served as Newhouse dean since 2020. He is credited with expanding professional partnerships between SU students and several companies, including BuzzFeed, Edelman, ESPN, the New York Post and PBS. Lodato played a key role in launching SU’s Institute for Democracy, Journalism and Citizenship in Washington, DC, and is recognized for his advancements in artificial intelligence and esports communications.
Tula Goenka, a Newhouse television, radio and film professor, was named faculty representative by Interim Vice Chancellor and Provost Lois Agnew. Goenka, an SU alumna and faculty member for over 20 years, is an award-winning filmmaker and human rights activist. She was a member of the Senate Agenda Committee, currently serves on the Academic Affairs Committee of the Senate. Goenka will join the board of the Academic Affairs Committee.
Andrea Rose Persin, assistant dean of budget, finance and administration in the College of Arts and Sciences, was named staff representative. Since joining SU in 2015, she has overseen budget and human resources and will participate in the Advancement and External Affairs Committee.
Anna Mirer, an undergraduate representative, is a rising senior triple majoring in neuroscience, psychology and policy studies. She co-founded Connect 315, a local community engagement organization, and has held leadership positions across other organizations on campus. Mirer will serve on the Student Experience Committee.
German Nolivos, a rising senior, will serve as an undergraduate representative. He is a double major in political science and public relations, serving as the Student Government Association’s president for his second term. Nolivos is a Posse and Remembrance Scholar. He will participate in the Student Experience Committee.
Alexia Chatzitheodorou, graduate student representative, is a Ph.D. candidate in physics, researching geometry and the elasticity of soft materials. Originally from Greece, she is active in scientific research and advocacy. She will serve on both the Academic Affairs and Student Experience Committees.
Ryleigh Peterson, a third-year student in SU’s College of Law, will serve as the law student representative to the Academic Affairs and Student Experience Committees. She is currently the managing editor of the Syracuse Journal of International Law and Commerce and a summer associate at Bond, Schoeneck & King in Syracuse.
Lodato, Persin and Goenka will serve two-year terms, while the student representatives will all serve one-year terms.
All members will attend full board meetings and report to the Board at Executive Committee, focusing on strategic goal implementation to ensure the university’s vision for the coming years.
