The Board of Trustees is Syracuse University's governing body, responsible for the University's educational mission, financial health and long-term strategy. Its members help guide the University toward its goals and uphold its responsibility to students, faculty, alumni and the broader community—ensuring that decisions are made with integrity, transparency and the public good in mind. As staff representative, Persin will serve ex officio on the board's Advancement and External Affairs Committee, contributing her finance and administration expertise to the University's strategic direction.

“Andrea’s appointment is a meaningful and well-deserved recognition,” says Behzad Mortazavi, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “She has consistently gone above and beyond in service to A&S, and I’m thrilled to see her leadership now recognized at the University level. Her insight, dedication and collaborative spirit will be a tremendous asset to the Board of Trustees — and to the broader Syracuse community.”

At A&S, Persin provides strategic financial oversight to support the College's goals, managing all aspects of the budget and aligning expenditures with actual revenues. She also leads human resources-related processes, including compensation reviews, staffing and organizational planning.

"My mission is to lead with integrity, inspire others through my actions and contribute to the growth and success of the University,” Persin says. “I am committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment where every individual feels valued and empowered to reach their full potential. I will advocate for the needs and interests of staff, ensuring their voices are heard and their contributions are recognized.”

Persin joined Syracuse University in 2015 as assistant director of budget and finance. Previously, she served as senior manager of enterprise governance at AXA Equitable, where she oversaw financial reporting for multiple IT business units. She holds a bachelor's degree in business administration with a minor in accounting from Columbia College and completed her MBA from the Whitman School of Management in June. Persin recently completed the Women in Leadership program, of which she says Mary Opperman's presentation at one of the sessions inspired her to apply for the staff representative position when the opportunity arose.

“I believe in the transformative power of education and the critical role that the Board plays in shaping the future of our institution. This opportunity to serve will allow me to contribute my leadership skills and background to the board's decision-making processes,” Persin says. “My involvement in the Women in Leadership (WiL) program has been particularly inspiring, as it has connected me with other dedicated leaders and broadened my perspective on the challenges and opportunities we face. I am eager to work collaboratively to advance the University’s mission and goals.”

New Board Representatives from A&S Also Include:

Anna Mirer '26 — Undergraduate Student Representative
A triple major in neuroscience, psychology and policy studies, Mirer is a Renée Crown Honors student and co-founder of Connect 315, a civic engagement initiative. She has held leadership roles in student government and wellness programming.

German Nolivos '26 — Undergraduate Student Representative
A Posse Scholar and Remembrance Scholar, Nolivos is president of the Student Government Association. Nolivos, a dual major in political science and public relations, has interned with Telemundo and NBCUniversal and founded the university's first Latino Music Festival.

Alexia Chatzitheodorou — Graduate Student Representative
A doctoral candidate in physics, Chatzitheodorou researches soft matter and biomechanics. She is active in science advocacy and outreach and has organized major academic conferences.