The Senate Advisory Committee on University Affairs welcomes Kent Syverud as the 16th president of the University of Michigan. Mr. Syverud is no stranger to Ann Arbor. His record as a teacher and an administrator is impressive. At Michigan Law and at Vanderbilt Law he played a leading role in keeping the doors open to previously under-represented groups. As Chancellor and President of Syracuse University Mr. Syverud invested in the research enterprise, worked with students to address racism, built new dormitories, and created new support structures promoting mental health. He earned a reputation as a willing listener and engaging interlocutor. At Syracuse Mr. Syverud served ex officio on virtually every committee of faculty government, and we are told that he was an active participant in faculty-led administrative work. These are all qualities of leadership we need here at U-M, and we trust that he will bring this disposition toward consultative administration to Michigan.
We are heartened by these and other aspects of Mr. Syverud’s record, and we look forward to working with him to advance this university’s public mission in the months and years ahead.
Senate Advisory Committee on University Affairs
Adopted by SACUA on 1/12/2026