Chancellor Syverud to step down next year after 12 years of service

Chancellor Kent Syverud announced Tuesday in a campuswide email his decision to step down from his role as Syracuse University’s top administrator in June 2026.

Syverud said he would be leaving “after much reflection” on his role as Chancellor for the past 12 years.

“As a new academic year begins, I’ve been thinking about what lies ahead – not just for our university, but for me personally and professionally,” Syverud said.

SU Board of Trustees chairman Jeff Scruggs praised Syverud’s commitment to advancing the university’s “historic” levels of admission and his role in partnerships with Micron as well as JMA Wireless. 

Photo by Paul Schlesinger | 2018 File Photo

Chancellor Kent Syverud watches as students walk at Syracuse University’s 2018 Commencement before the ceremony begins.

“Our campus, which is hardly recognizable from just a decade ago, has been physically transformed in ways that will serve generations to come,” Scruggs said in an emailed statement.

Scruggs said that if Syverud were to change his mind, the Board would be glad to have him on. He said more information regarding the search for the next Chancellor will be shared in the coming weeks.

Several SU students interviewed Tuesday were indifferent to the annoucement, however, political science senior Dennis DiSantis said the Chancellor’s tenure hasn’t benefited students.

“Kent Syverud’s legacy at Syracuse University will be one of egregious tuition prices, falling academic rankings and an administration that placed profit above students,” DiSantis said. “His resignation couldn’t come soon enough.”

Syverud requested in the email as his “last wish” that the SU community be engaged with the Board of Trustees in the search for SU’s new chancellor. 

“Your voices, perspectives, and aspirations for the future are vital to selecting a leader who will build upon our shared accomplishments and guide Syracuse University forward,” he said.