Campus & Community

An Update on the Search for the Next Chancellor

Monday, September 8, 2025, By News Staff

Dear Members of the Syracuse University Community:

I am writing to update you on the search process for Syracuse University’s next chancellor.

I am pleased to announce that trustees Shelly Fisher ’80 and Lisa Fontenelli ’86 will co-chair the search committee. Both currently serve on the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees. Trustee Fisher recently served as chair of the Student Experience Committee and Trustee Fontenelli previously served as chair of the Finance Committee. I am deeply grateful to them for taking on this important responsibility.

We are currently working through the shared governance structures to determine the full makeup of the search committee. We expect to name the committee’s membership by Sept. 19; shortly thereafter the search will begin.

As Chancellor Kent Syverud shared in his Aug. 26 message, community input is essential to this process. We will host a series of engagement sessions—both in person and virtually—to gather your suggestions, perspectives and guidance. We are finalizing the schedule and will share more information about these sessions next week.

Additionally, we are in the process of building the Chancellor Search website, which we expect to be live on Sept. 19. There, we will provide updates on all search-related matters, including:

  • Biographical information about search committee members
  • Details about upcoming engagement sessions
  • A survey to share your views with us
  • Guidance on contacting our search consultants, Spencer Stuart, with feedback, questions and nominations
  • The position profile, which the committee will aim to complete in October after soliciting input from members of the community

Selecting our next chancellor is a critical and exciting moment for Syracuse University. Thank you in advance for your engagement and support throughout this process. If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to University Secretary Mary Opperman at opperman@syr.edu.

Sincerely,

Jeff Scruggs
Chairman, Board of Trustees