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Because of the grueling schedules for college athletes, most don’t get the chance to study abroad. At Temple University, Jeremy Jordan wanted to change that.

Jordan collaborated with Justin Miller to make this project come to life, taking students to Tokyo, while organizing another trip to Rome as well. The eight- to 10-day escapades gave those students a “transformative” experience like the rest of their peers at the university, Miller said.

Now, Jordan wants to continue to provide students with the same life-changing experiences as the new dean of the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics at Syracuse University.

Mary Graham, a sports management professor in Falk who co-chaired SU’s search for Falk’s new dean, Graham wrote that the committee was impressed with Jordan’s appreciation for different departments, in addition to his plans for Falk’s own diversity, inclusion and future.

“Dean Jordan made clear that one of the highest priorities for Falk College was enhancing experiential student learning and increasing transformational opportunities such as study abroad and student research with faculty,” Mary Graham, a sports management professor in Falk who co-chaired SU’s search for Falk’s new dean, wrote in a statement to The Daily Orange. “We couldn’t be more pleased to welcome Jeremy Jordan as the new Dean of Falk College.”

Jordan assumed his new role on Sept. 1. After a long career in college sports and academic leadership, Jordan is overseeing the expansion of the university’s new esports major and strives to promote experiential learning and collaboration.

“We’re in a really great position to welcome our first cohort of students next fall, and we already have students that are taking courses or they have interest in the program,” Jordan said. “We’ll be one of the first R1 universities that have a degree program in esport. That’s really exciting.”

Miller, chief of staff and executive senior associate athletic director at Temple, said Jordan has a welcoming poise in leadership settings.

“Jeremy was always a staunch advocate for student athletes and for students,” Miller said. “He sees a bigger picture for them and really, he finds ways to motivate and has really high standards for everybody he works with.”

Jordan was always surrounded by sports from his youth. He played men’s basketball at La Sierra University while completing a physical education degree to be a high school coach and athletic director. But after Jordan tried teaching physical education at a junior high, he said he realized it wasn’t exactly the path for him.

Jordan decided to continue his education by pursuing a master’s in sports management. After graduate school at the University of Utah, he returned to his La Sierra to coach and explore academia, he said. Jordan also received his Ph.D. from The Ohio State University, before teaching at Mississippi State University and the University of Miami before working at Temple.

“Initially, I wanted to be a faculty member, do my research, work with students and then over time, was just given the opportunity to assume leadership positions,” Jordan said. “The thing I really enjoy about those is your ability to support and allow other people to achieve their goals. I really see that as my primary function as a dean.”

Jordan worked at Temple for 15 years as a professor in the sports management department, director of the sports industry research center, athletic representative and senior associate dean of the Sport and Tourism Hospitality Management. In his last year at Temple, Jordan worked as the vice provost for faculty affairs.

In his time at SU, Jordan said he’s been excited by the genuine passion he’s seen students have for Syracuse, a type of pride that he said can elevate SU and spread the message of what university members are trying to accomplish on campus.

After a long career in college sports and academic leadership, Jordan is overseeing the expansion of the university’s new esports major and strives to promote experiential learning and collaboration.

Malcom Taylor | Staff Photographer

With SU’s new esports major, Jordan said he wants to find ways to differentiate Syracuse from other schools with similar programs. He was impressed by SU’s pledge to esports, citing the esports facilities at the Barnes Center at the Arch and in the Schine Student Center and the work of Joey Gawrysiak, the eSports program director.

“We need to think about ways to be more collaborative and work across the different programs and departments,” Jordan said. “The great thing about Falk is that it’s really committed to the student experience, and that’s probably the most important thing… the education we provide and the experiences that we make available.”

As dean, he’s excited to ensure students have proper support in pursuing esports careers.

“If I can help grow that piece and grow the opportunities for our majors to get involved in getting real world experience, then I’m happy to do whatever is necessary to support that,” Jordan said.

Daniel Funk, associate dean of the School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management and professor at Temple, said Jordan balances his role as a strategic leader while paying attention to culture. He said Jordan has a way of bringing people together to instill a vision that focuses on the individual as the most important asset of an organization.

“You would walk down the hall and everyone would say ‘Hi’ to Dean Jordan. That’s kind of a signal that he places students first and tries to understand where they’re coming from,” Funk said.

Funk said Jordan takes his physical health very seriously and emphasizes fitness and nutrition. Jordan and Funk would often take runs together, training for half and full marathons. While running, they often talked about strategic aspects, challenges and opportunities in their positions, Funk said.

Funk also said that apart from his own ideas, Jordan is willing to invest in others as well. Funk pointed to some of Jordan’s best attributes as his ability to empathize with different perspectives and visualize new projects and opportunities.

Miller said Jordan’s best trait he’s bringing to SU is his vision, as Jordan is able to see the bigger picture and execute it.

“I’m excited to watch the college thrive under Jeremy’s leadership and continue to grow and evolve,” Miller said. “He’s not a status quo person. He wants to see things improve and grow.”

Coming to SU, Jordan said he felt welcomed and that he’s even been able to share ideas with Diane Lyden Murphy, who served as dean of Falk College 2011-22.

“I’ve been very impressed with how gracious and kind and patient and helpful everyone has been, not only in Falk but across the university,” Jordan said.

Funk said Jordan’s experience has helped him become very open and trustworthy with students and student athletes, with a dedication to students that never stops.

“Go visit Dean Jordan,” Funk said. “His door is usually always open.”

News Editor Stephanie Wright contributed reporting to this article.

Published on October 4, 2023 at 12:40 am

Contact Faith: flbolduc@syr.edu