News Story

Kent Syverud, chancellor and president of Syracuse University, has been named the 16th president of the University of Michigan — the first U-M alumnus in nearly a century to be appointed president.

The Board of Regents voted unanimously to appoint Syverud, an accomplished legal scholar, during a special session Jan. 12 at University Hall in Ann Arbor. Syverud is expected to assume the position by July 1.

Syverud returns to lead U-M following a robust legal and higher education career. He spent the last 12 years as chancellor and president at Syracuse, where his incumbency produced record enrollment, academic and research breakthroughs and a significant influence on the economic health of upstate New York.

“The University of Michigan proudly welcomes President-elect Syverud,” said Mark Bernstein, chair of the Board of Regents and co-chair of the presidential search committee.

“President-elect Syverud is an experienced and trusted leader who has guided higher education institutions — and their students — to new levels of success. The Board of Regents is eager to bring his experience and passion back to U-M, where he is uniquely qualified to grow our impact across the state, nation and world.”

MORE INFORMATION

• Learn more about Kent Syverud on the president-elect website
• Kent Syverud’s full remarks
• Regents remarks on Kent Syverud appointment
• Photo gallery

Prior to Syracuse University, Syverud was dean at the School of Law at Washington University in St. Louis and the Ethan A.H. Shepley Distinguished University Professor. Before Washington University, Syverud was dean at Vanderbilt University Law School.

A native of Irondequoit in upstate New York, President-elect Syverud earned his bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, his juris doctor from Michigan Law (1981) and master’s in economics from the University of Michigan (1983).

“I do believe Michigan has been, is now, and must remain the best public research university anywhere,” Syverud said. “That has been my experience of Michigan. This university gave me everything I have become.

“These are challenging times for Michigan, for higher education, and indeed for the whole world. We at the university have a choice how to respond. We can curl up in a ball … or, we can do what Michigan has always done when it’s at its best. We can lead. We can lead not by arrogantly lecturing others, but by modeling each day, in small ways and in big ones, the values and the ideas and the innovation and the civil engagement that this world so badly needs.

“I want to help us to do that, and I want to help us do that always remembering our special obligation to the people of the state of Michigan — all the people of the state of Michigan, who created this institution and who merit our priority.”

After graduating from Michigan Law, Syverud spent several years practicing law in the public and private sectors, including clerking for the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor shortly after she became the first woman named to the Supreme Court.

In addition to earning two degrees at U-M, Syverud’s University of Michigan roots run deep. After practicing law he returned to U-M in 1987 as assistant professor of law, moving to professor in 1992 and then professor and associate dean for academic affairs for Michigan Law from 1995-97.

A recipient of numerous legal and academic awards, Syverud has held visiting professorships at Universidade Católica Portuguesa, University of Tokyo, Cornell Law School (as the Goldberg Distinguished Visiting Professor) and University of Pennsylvania.

Syverud has dedicated his expertise to numerous regional and national appointments. He was co-chair of the Regional Economic Development Council for Central New York and chair of the Law School Admissions Council. From 2010-16, he served as one of the two trustees of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Trust, the $20 billion fund created by BP and the White House to manage claims related to the Gulf oil spill.

Regents Vice Chair Michael J. Behm, co-chair of the presidential search committee, said Syverud understands the current challenges facing universities and has created successful environments for innovation and learning.

“During the search process, we learned that President-elect Syverud is a fearless listener,” Behm said. “He’s extremely talented at imagining and implementing goals for the future, and a gifted collaborator with students, faculty, and statewide stakeholders. These qualities will benefit all Wolverines in Ann Arbor, Dearborn and Flint.”

During his time, Syracuse has grown its faculty, many in targeted interdisciplinary research centers, and has created innovative new learning opportunities such as one of the first online J.D. degree programs in the nation in 2019.

Syverud’s success in philanthropic support comes as U-M is in the midst of the most ambitious campaign in public higher education, Look to Michigan, with a $7 billion goal and mission to take on society’s most pressing challenges. At the close of FY ’25, more than 230,000 donors have given $4.02 billion toward the campaign — 57% of that goal. During Syverud’s leadership, Syracuse University more than doubled its endowment to over $2 billion in 2025 and raised more than ever before in its history, including $1.59 billion for the Forever Orange Campaign, which came to a successful close in December 2024.

Syverud has deep experience with major athletic programs. While at Syracuse he led an update of the governance of the Atlantic Coast Conference, serving as chair of the Board of Directors from 2019-21 and as chair of the 2020 search for the new commissioner, James Phillips.

Syverud’s appointment follows a comprehensive search that began in July 2025. A presidential search committee, composed of students, faculty, staff, alumni and regents, worked with executive search firm Spencer Stuart to identify and review candidates.

The committee hosted seven public listening sessions in fall 2025 and collected input from nearly 600 community members about their hopes and expectations for a new president. An online survey collected additional thoughts from an additional 900 respondents.

Syverud’s five-year term will begin by July 1. He succeeds President Domenico Grasso, who has been serving on an interim basis since the departure of former president Santa J. Ono on May 4. Ono was appointed 15th president in 2022. Grasso will continue in the role until Syverud begins.

“As a university chancellor, you already know you’ll encounter bright, dedicated, creative, and opinionated faculty, students and staff,” Grasso said Jan. 12. “Michigan will amplify those encounters. I sincerely believe the collective dedication to the University of Michigan is unmatched in higher education. We all want the best for this jewel of academic excellence, transformative research, and public service.”

Grasso is one of several U-M alumni who have served as president in an interim capacity. The last alumnus to be appointed president was Alexander G. Ruthven in 1929.

“To President Grasso: Thank you for stepping up to lead,” Syverud said. “I also thank you as well and your wife, Susan, for helping embody the servant leadership that this university has so badly needed.”

As president, Syverud is responsible for general oversight of the university’s teaching and research programs, as well as the libraries, museums and other supporting services. His duties also include overseeing the general welfare of the faculty and staff, health and order among students, and the university’s financial stability. Under the Michigan Constitution, the board is responsible for electing the university president.

Syverud will receive a base salary of $2 million annually, subject to annual increases at the Board of Regents’ discretion. He also will receive regular university benefits and supplemental contributions to a retirement plan, housing in the President’s House, an expense allowance, use of an automobile and a driver, all in accordance with university policies.

President-elect Syverud is married to Dr. Ruth Chen, an environmental toxicologist and professor of practice at Syracuse University’s College of Engineering and Computer Science, who holds two U-M degrees. They are the parents of three grown sons, Steven, Brian and David; and they have five grandchildren.

Leaders from U-M and Syracuse expressed praise for Syverud’s appointment.

“Kent Syverud leads with integrity, which I’ve experienced first-hand for the past 12 years,” said Mike Tirico, vice chair of Syracuse University’s Board of Trustees, NBC Sports commentator, and an Ann Arbor resident. “I know how much the University of Michigan means to him and Dr. Chen. His experience, skill set and passion for Michigan will be a great fit. While I will miss working with Kent at my alma mater, I am thrilled to welcome him as a neighbor.”

“President-elect Syverud is a leader who understands both the structural complexity and the human dimensions of universities. An award-winning teacher and an effective champion of research excellence, he brings a student-centered perspective and a thoughtful, steady approach to stewarding complex academic institutions, with a clear commitment to ensuring that universities contribute meaningfully both locally and globally,” said Celeste Watkins-Hayes, search committee member and dean of the U-M Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy. “With deep ties to the University of Michigan, he demonstrates a strong appreciation for the university’s history and strengths, alongside an engaged and forward-looking view of its evolving opportunities.”

“We were looking for a leader who shares our morals, listens to our voices, and champions the diverse perspectives that make U-M a world-class leader. We found that leader,” said Eric Veal Jr., search committee member and Central Student Government president. “President-elect Kent Syverud doesn’t just understand the Michigan Difference, he embodies it. Beyond his credentials, he is a dynamic leader who leads with empathy and a genuine heart for the people he serves. He is profoundly student-centered, and I have no doubt he will show a tireless dedication to fostering authentic relationships across every corner of our campus.”