Skip to main content
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Campus & Community
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • University Statements
  • Syracuse University Impact
  • |
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
Sections
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • University Statements
  • Syracuse University Impact
  • |
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Campus & Community

Steven J. Bennett Appointed Senior Vice President for Academic Operations

Tuesday, October 17, 2017, By News Staff
Share
appointments

Vice Chancellor and Provost Michele Wheatly today announced the appointment of Steven J. Bennett to the position of senior vice president for academic operations. As the Office of Academic Affairs continues to lead the implementation of the Academic Strategic Plan, Bennett will play a critical role in overseeing academic operations for administrative units that report to the provost’s office, including Information Technology, SU Press, SU Abroad and satellite facilities around the U.S. Bennett will also work closely with the provost and her leadership team on planning and budgetary matters. Bennett’s appointment was approved by the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees and is effective Dec. 1.

Steven J. Bennett

Steven J. Bennett

“Steve is a strategic thinker, an innovative leader, a change agent and problem solver who can manage the operational complexities that go along with our ambitious academic agenda,” says Wheatly. “Following a number of staff retirements, Steve’s appointment rebuilds the capacity of the Office of Academic Affairs to execute the University’s priorities. He is a talented administrator with a proven record of success that aligns well with our aspirations as a university.”

Bennett, who comes to Syracuse University from The Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C., cites the Academic Strategic Plan’s ambitious but achievable aspirations for inspiring him to join Syracuse University.

“I sense a palpable energy on the Syracuse University campus,” says Bennett. “It is exciting to walk into an organization whose people are so engaged and dedicated to the academic and research missions. I am looking forward to tapping into that excitement and being a part of the team that transforms the Academic Strategic Plan into reality.”

Bennett is currently vice president and chief operating officer of The Brookings Institution, the renowned think tank and public policy organization that conducts in-depth research to address societal problems at regional, national and global levels. In his position, he supervises the interactions among the institution’s research programs, and between the research and non-research sides of Brookings, promoting collaboration and interdisciplinary work.

At Brookings (2006-2017), Bennett has been part of a three-person executive team that developed and operationalized the institution’s strategic plan and institutionwide program objectives.  He conceived, implemented and managed partnerships with numerous universities including Brookings Executive Education with Washington University, Brookings Mountain West with the University of Nevada Las Vegas and Brookings-Hunter College/CUNY partnership.  He also oversaw human resources, information technology, building operations and security.

Prior to his career at Brookings, Bennett served as executive director for several nongovernmental organizations focusing on the intersection of trade and development. He was co-founder and executive director of the Global Fairness Initiative (GFI), from 2003-06. GFI is an international leadership initiative to advance innovative models of economic engagement in impoverished countries. At GFI, Bennett oversaw successful engagement processes in 13 countries on four continents. He also co-founded the Synapse Market Access Fund at GFI, a social venture financing tool designed to bridge the gaps between poor producers and markets and between micro-credit and commercial loans.

From 1996-2003, Bennett served as executive director of Witness for Peace, where he directed all programmatic and administrative operations and fundraising for the international human rights/economic justice advocacy organization with national and international offices. Prior to that, he served as interim executive director and program director for National Neighbors, promoting growth and opportunity for urban neighborhoods. He has also served as research associate at the Center for National Policy.

Bennett grew up on the Syracuse campus. He is the son of David H. Bennett, professor emeritus of history at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. Steven Bennett received his bachelor of arts in 1990 from Colgate University and his masters of public policy in 1995 from Georgetown University. He returned to Syracuse for post-graduate study at the Institute for Creative Conflict Resolution in 1995.

  • Author

News Staff

  • Recent
  • Ian ’90 and Noah Eagle ’19 Share a Love of Sportscasting and Storytelling (Podcast)
    Thursday, June 5, 2025, By John Boccacino
  • Blackstone LaunchPad Founders Circle Welcomes New Members
    Thursday, June 5, 2025, By Cristina Hatem
  • Japan’s Crackdown on ‘Shiny’ Names Sparks Cultural Reflection
    Tuesday, June 3, 2025, By Keith Kobland
  • The Milton Legacy: Romance, Success and Giving Back
    Monday, June 2, 2025, By Eileen Korey
  • 5 Tips to Protect Your Health and Prepare for Worsening Air Conditions
    Monday, June 2, 2025, By Daryl Lovell

More In Campus & Community

Blackstone LaunchPad Founders Circle Welcomes New Members

Syracuse University Libraries’ Blackstone LaunchPad welcomed 34 graduates of the Class of 2025 as new members of the Founders Circle. They were selected in recognition of launching or leading ventures at the University while students, as well as contributing to…

Neal Powless Inducted Into American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame

You could say that lacrosse is in Neal Powless’s blood. Powless G’08, the University ombuds, is a member of the Onondaga Nation Eel Clan. He is the son, grandson and brother of legendary lacrosse players. Powless picked up a lacrosse…

The Milton Legacy: Romance, Success and Giving Back

Growing up, Stacey Milton Leal ’75 and Chris Milton heard countless stories about how Syracuse University brought their parents together in what would turn out to be a fairy tale romance with a happy forever ending. So it was no…

Syracuse University Libraries’ Information Literacy Scholars Produce Information Literacy Collab Journal

Earlier this month, Syracuse University Libraries’ Information Literacy Scholars published their first open access information literacy journal, Information Literacy Collab (ILC). It is available on SURFACE, the University’s open access institutional repository. ILC is a diamond open-access publication by and…

Trip to Atlanta Gives Falk Students ‘Real-World’ Opportunities and Connections

The city of Atlanta is home to professional sports franchises in major leagues: Atlanta United FC (Major League Soccer), the Braves (Major League Baseball), Dream (WNBA), Falcons (NFL), and Hawks (NBA). Atlanta also features professional teams in lacrosse, rugby, and…

Subscribe to SU Today

If you need help with your subscription, contact sunews@syr.edu.

Connect With Us

  • X
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
Social Media Directory

For the Media

Find an Expert Follow @SyracuseUNews
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
  • @SyracuseU
  • @SyracuseUNews
  • Social Media Directory
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Campus Status
  • Syracuse.edu
© 2025 Syracuse University News. All Rights Reserved.