Class of 1992 alumna Sunita Gupta Kramer has returned to F&M as provost and dean of the faculty. Since beginning her new role in July, Kramer has reconnected with familiar places and traditions while considering how F&M has changed—and how it will continue to evolve.

“Returning to F&M is definitely a full-circle moment for me,” Kramer said. “As a student, being on this campus gave me the foundation for a love of research and building connections, and now I have the privilege of helping to shape that experience for future generations.”

What has it been like to return to your alma mater in the role of provost? Are there any ways in which the College and Lancaster have evolved since your time as a student that have stood out to you?

Returning to F&M is definitely a full-circle moment for me. As a student, being on this campus gave me the foundation for a love of research and building connections, and now I have the privilege of helping to shape that experience for future generations. Walking around campus, I still recognize so many of the traditions and spaces that meant so much to me, but I’ve also noticed how F&M has continued to evolve. The College has deepened its commitment to high-impact student experiences, and Lancaster itself has become a vibrant hub of arts, culture, and innovation.

How has your academic background in the sciences shaped your perspective on higher education and your approach to this role?

My training as a scientist deeply influences how I approach leadership in higher education. Science requires curiosity, persistence, and the ability to embrace uncertainty, all qualities I believe are just as essential for institutional leadership as they are in the lab. As a cell biologist, I studied how complex systems emerge from the interaction of many small parts, and I see colleges in much the same way: vibrant ecosystems that depend on the connections between ideas, disciplines, and most importantly people. That perspective helps me value both rigor and creativity, and to support environments where faculty, staff, and students can take intellectual risks and learn from the outcomes.

Why do you think a liberal arts education is valuable for students, and what makes F&M’s approach to the liberal arts distinct?

A liberal arts education equips students with the ability to think critically, communicate effectively, and adapt to a rapidly changing world. In a moment when technology is reshaping how we live and work, the ability to take a humanist approach and integrate perspectives across disciplines is more important than ever. F&M’s approach to the liberal arts stands out because of the close faculty-student mentorship and the emphasis on learning as both an intellectual and personal journey. Students are encouraged not just to master content, but to ask bold questions, to explore connections across fields, and to become engaged citizens in a global community.

Is there anything you’re especially looking forward to or hoping to accomplish during the upcoming academic year?

This year, I’m most excited about getting to know the F&M community by listening to faculty, staff, and students, and learning about their ideas and aspirations. Building those relationships is essential to shaping a shared vision for the future. I’m also eager to work collaboratively on advancing academic excellence, supporting faculty scholarship and creativity, and ensuring that every student has the opportunity to thrive. More personally, I’m looking forward to those small but meaningful moments that remind me of what it means to be a Diplomat, including walking across our beautiful campus, attending student performances, exhibitions, and visiting labs and classrooms.