The State University of New York (SUNY) system has added a new position, vice chancellor for global affairs, to strengthen their efforts in worldwide education.

Dr. Mitch Leventhal, formerly the vice provost for international affairs at the University of Cincinnati, has taken on the new position for SUNY as of Tuesday, Sept. 15.

According to Leventhal, as vice chancellor for global affairs he is responsible for developing a global strategy at SUNY.

“I will be working with study abroad programs, international students and companies to ensure everything works smoothly,” he said. “It will be the same thing I’ve been doing [at UC], but at a larger scale and a new context.”

The decision to add the position was made in a SUNY Board of Trustees meeting on Sept. 15, according to David Henahan, director of media relations at SUNY.

SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher, Chairman Carl T. Hayden and Vice Chancellor Leventhal made remarks during the course of the board meeting, Henahan said.

The board, according to Henahan, “unanimously approved the appointment of Mitch Leventhal.”

The position was created in order to have a presence in the chancellor’s chamber to look at international programs across the SUNY institution as a whole, Leventhal said.

“In partnership with the SUNY provost, campus presidents and campus international academic affairs officers, Leventhal will enhance current SUNY system-wide programs and develop new ones in order to boost collaboration and international partnerships,” Henahan said.

This will allow students, faculty and staff greater aggregated opportunities in the international realm, Leventhal explains.

These opportunities do not only include study abroad programs; they also provide internship opportunities with companies overseas.

Leventhal also stated that he will be using the relationships that current faculty and staff have abroad to help students with their international studies and careers.

“I would like to build on the strengths and relationships within the SUNY system,” Leventhal said. “Sometimes members of the faculty have connections overseas and they may be able to help students when they go to visit the same country.”

Another major project Leventhal will be highlighting is the soon-to-be SUNY Global Center based in Manhattan.

Located on East 55th Street between Lexington and Park, the 40,000 square-foot structure is to become a resource where each SUNY school can offer programs for students in one area, according to Leventhal.

“This will be an opportunity for all constituents so they can have a mini campus in New York City, an international center of the world,” Leventhal said.

Leventhal said he is also hoping to have the SUNY center in New York City be “an area for dignitaries, who may visit New York City but not the rest of the state, to come to the Manhattan office and provide an outlet to SUNY students.”

Leventhal stated that he has “developed a vision of what [he] thought it would take to bring SUNY to the next level.”