With Satish K. Tripathi arriving this summer to fill the provost position permanently, Interim Provost Robert Genco has not only been taking the time to say goodbye to his transitional position and reflect on his experience, but getting ready for the arrival of Tripathi, who Genco will assist in adjusting to the new position.
Genco was appointed to the temporary provost position by President John B. Simpson in January when former provost Elizabeth Capaldi resigned to become the SUNY vice chancellor and chief of staff in Albany.
"I found this to be a very enjoyable experience," said Genco. "I was very busy and the experience gave me an opportunity to see the university completely. It gave me the ability to see people in a different way."
Although Genco said he didn't set out to make dramatic changes during the six months he occupied the provost's office, he did start the Strategic Planning Exercise, which consists of different phases of development that aim to better UB.
"I was able to start the discovery phase, which gives the university opportunities to become excellent," said Genco. "Dr. Tripathi will resume the leadership role of the second phase for the academic plans portion of the plan."
According to Genco, his main job as interim provost was to maintain the momentum in an already well-run system.
"I did have to make a few decisions that had dealt with critical issues that needed a resolution," said Genco. "My day-to-day activities were mainly in the areas of course development, faculty and promotion, and capital improvement."
Simpson said he was impressed with Genco's term as provost.
"Dr. Robert J. Genco has provided us with excellent leadership as interim university provost, once again demonstrating himself to be a tremendously talented administrator and extraordinarily dedicated citizen of the university," stated Simpson in an e-mail. "As the chief academic officer, and second administrative officer, the role of provost is of paramount importance to the university."
For newcomer Simpson, having a UB veteran such as Genco on staff was an invaluable help.
"Throughout my first semester as president, I have found Dr. Genco's expertise, wise counsel, excellent judgment and assistance to be very valuable, as indeed I have also come to value his friendship," stated Simpson.
Among the projects Genco worked on with Simpson were funding for the Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and the Center for Computational Research.
"Bioinformatics was an area we were really strong in," said Genco. "It gave us great potential for new knowledge and inventions. It also allowed us, to some extent, to make a contribution back to the region, and included a process which involved students."
Genco said he had an overall enjoyable experience as provost, but there was one item in which he took the most pride.
"I'm most proud of being able to help the identification of strengths," Genco said.
Genco said that in over 35 years of teaching at UB, being involved in decisions to finalize areas that need improvement has always been an area in which he excels.
Genco also feels UB made the right choice when appointing Simpson.
"I think he's an excellent president," said Genco. "He has wonderful leadership and leadership skills. He really listens to the faculty and students."
Juggling his time between UB and his home life, Genco hasn't forgotten about old friends such as former President William Griener, with whom he recently had lunch.
"Capaldi is also doing well," Genco said. "She was a great help throughout this, I called her my 'Provost Boot Camp.'"
And now, having gone through Capaldi's provost boot camp, Genco will have a boot camp of his own to run this summer as he helps Satish Tripathi adjust to his new position when he arrives in Buffalo this summer.
"It should be an invisible process, and we are looking for minimal disruption," Genco said.
To Genco, his roles as provost and mentor to Tripathi are not about what he can take from his experiences, but what he can give.
"This has been an experience that I've given to the university," Genco said. "The university has been very good to me, and this gave me a chance to give something back."
Genco added that he feels Winston Churchill said it best: "We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give."
