Kenneth Sumner, Ph.D., joins the Jasper community as new Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs.
MANHATTAN.EDU/COURTESY
Elizabeth Kalaj, Senior Writer
Manhattan University has welcomed a new provost to the Jasper community. Kenneth Sumner, Ph.D., now serves as the provost and vice president of academic affairs as of Jan. 27, 2025.
In his previous role, Sumner served as associate provost and acting dean of the graduate school at Montclair State University. Throughout his professional career, he has also served as the chair of Montclair’s psychology department and co-chair of their University Strategic Plan.
The search committee for the new provost consisted of various administrators, students and faculty including associate provost and English professor, Bridget Chalk, Ph.D.
The search committee focused largely on distinguishing candidates who had experience in higher education leadership with an understanding of the Manhattan University community, including its Lasallian values, academic structure and student identities. In addition, the committee considered the position’s relationship to faculty.
“One thing that is so compelling about Dr. Sumner [is that he] has a Ph.D. in organizational psychology,” Chalk said. “He has not only had experience as an administrator, but he is also an expert in how to maximize the productivity and efficiency of a structure, motivate, incentivize, organize and build sustainable structures. I think all of those things are essential for the role, being that the provost has an aerial view of the whole institution.”
When speaking to The Quadrangle, Sumner agreed that his psychology background will contribute to his future success in this role.
“I have learned to approach things by taking what I have learned from my scholarly endeavors and interpersonal experiences and I can try and make things better,” Sumner said. “One thing about me is I am a hopeful person by nature. I am always hoping for change, hoping to make things better for students specifically.”
Sumner was originally drawn to the job opening because of the reputation that President Frederick Bonato, Ph.D., shared about the institution. Sumner and Bonato had worked in the same administration at Montclair State University, which greatly contributed to him applying.
Sumner expressed that the interview process for the administrative position was rigorous and tough in many ways, but meeting the different students and getting the opportunity to talk to them is what ultimately compelled him to accept the offer and join the MU team.
“When I came out of the meeting with the students, I left thinking, ‘God, this place is really good,’” Sumner said. “After talking with them, I understood that there were a lot of really great things going on here. The students are wonderful. They talk, advocate and are mature. It was the best meeting I had.”
Bonato spoke to The Quadrangle about his excitement regarding Sumner joining MU’s administration.
“I am very grateful for all the work and dedication that Dr. Rani Roy has put into the role of interim provost and I am grateful that she is not leaving the team,” Bonato said. “I am also looking forward to working with Dr. Sumner. He comes with a lot of experience, is really student centered and his dedication to them is undeniable. He also comes in here with a lot of creative ideas which I think are really needed in higher education.”
Much of Manhattan University’s administration, including Bonato and Sumner, have been hired within the last year, making the team fairly new. However, Bonato expresses his gratitude for the community he has inherited.
“The way we work together, do not shy away from the challenges and look towards the future optimistically is pretty remarkable,” Bonato said.
Sumner has a deep understanding of university institutions on many levels. Being that he has been both faculty and staff in previous roles, he understands the importance of listening and working with every person in order to accomplish what is best for the students. He emphasizes the need for student, faculty and administrative roles in order for universities to thrive.
Sumner expressed his excitement in joining the Manhattan University community, and had a message for all the people within it.
“I want people to come into my office to say hi and know what a provost does because we do a lot,” Sumner said. “There are so many complicated aspects of the university, but I want people to understand that in terms of their academics and their home, they can always come to the provost’s office, say hi and grab a girl scout cookie.”