The Syracuse University Board of Trustees announced today that it has extended Chancellor Kent Syverud’s contract until 2026. Today’s announcement follows a review of the Chancellor’s performance, leadership and vision for the future of Syracuse University. As part of this review, the board collected feedback from members of the campus community, including deans, faculty, students, staff, alumni, trustees, and administrators.
“Over the past nine years, Chancellor Syverud, along with the talented leadership team he has built, has worked tirelessly to drive academic and research excellence, enhance the student experience and create a campus community that truly welcomes all says Kathy Walters ’73, CEO. “He has done all of this despite facing historic challenges, including a once-in-a-generation global pandemic. We are grateful for his leadership, calm under pressure, and keen vision for the future of Syracuse University.”
In making this decision, the Board also cited the Chancellor’s evolving and distinctive vision for the future of the university and the positive momentum he built during his nine years at Syracuse. The solid management of the COVID-19 crisis, the university’s strong financial position and the transformative physical changes on campus are among the achievements recognized by the board. Specifically, during his tenure, the University:
- Reinterpreting and redefining the student experience with major physical changes on the university campus, including the opening of the Barnes Center at The Arch, a holistic health and wellness facility for students; Renovation of the Schine Student Center to better meet the needs of today’s students; Conversion and renaming of the legendary JMA Wireless Dome; and replacing a busy street with a pedestrian-friendly boardwalk, the Einhorn Family Walk, through the heart of campus.
- Build operational financial strength and stability: Foundation doubled to more than $1.7 billion in 2022; and launched the ongoing Forever Orange campaign, which has raised more than $1.24 billion.
- Focused on academic excellence, including the recruitment of nearly 500 new full-time faculty members since 2018 across multiple disciplines, schools and colleges and through the Cluster, Signature and Diversity Hire programs, which together aim to advance interdisciplinary research, the diversity of the faculties and to strengthen the university’s worldwide reputation for research.
- Tripled the enrollment of veterans and military-related families since 2014 while continuing to develop key priorities in this area, including expanding Syracuse University’s D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families and creating the National Veterans Resource Center at Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello Building, a state-of-the-art facility housing innovative military-focused programs.
- Hired the university’s first Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer and commissioned the university’s first-ever Strategic Plan for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA).
- Experienced record applications and enrollments, attracting an increasingly diverse and academically savvy student body.
- Embracing and fostering innovation with the launch of online degrees and programs, including overseeing Syracuse University Global and the first online JD degree program in the United States.
About Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university that fosters knowledge across disciplines to advance groundbreaking discovery and pioneering leadership. Our collection of 13 schools and colleges with over 200 customizable majors bridges the gap between education and action so students can conquer the world. Inside and outside the classroom, we connect people, perspectives and practices to solve interconnected challenges with interdisciplinary approaches. Together we are a powerful community that moves ideas, individuals and impact beyond what is possible.
