Syverud earned a bachelor's degree magna cum laude from Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in 1977, a Juris Doctor degree magna cum laude from the University of Michigan Law School in 1981, and a master's degree in economics from the University of Michigan in 1983.[2] At Michigan, he was awarded the Henry M. Bates Memorial Scholarship, the Abram W. Sempliner Memorial Award, the Joel D. and Shelby Tauber Scholarship Award, and the Clifton M. Kolb Law Scholarship, and was elected to the Order of the Coif.[3] After graduating from law school, Syverud clerked for U.S. District Judge Louis F. Oberdorfer. Syverud counts among his closest mentors retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, for whom he clerked shortly after she became the first woman named to the Supreme Court bench.[3][4]
Professor of law
From 1987 to 1997, Syverud taught complex litigation, insurance law, and civil procedure at Vanderbilt University and at the University of Michigan Law School, where he earned tenure in 1992 and advanced to Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in 1995. Syverud served as Dean of the Vanderbilt University Law School from 1997 to 2005, where he was the Garner Anthony Professor of Law. Under Syverud, the law school underwent a $24 million facility expansion that more than doubled its size and the number of faculty grew from 33 to 47 members.[5]
Syverud served as dean of the Washington University School of Law from 2005 to 2013, where he was also the Ethan A. H. Shepley Distinguished University Professor in 2005.[6]
Syracuse University Chancellor and President
On September 12, 2013, Syverud was named the 12th Chancellor and President of Syracuse University, succeeding Nancy Cantor.[1] He formally took office as Chancellor on January 13, 2014, and was inaugurated on April 11, 2014.[7]
During Syverud's term, high-profile schools and programs at Syracuse retained their top rankings. Syverud stabilized finances by erasing $440 million inherited debt, completing a $1.5 billion fundraising campaign and doubling the endowment to above $2 billion.[8][9][10] He oversaw the $120 million renovation of the Carrier Dome, transformed the campus with a $500 million growth spurt with addition of three new dormitories on campus and converting apartment buildings and hotels into dorms.[11][12] Prior to his tenure, only one new dorm had been built on campus in the previous 50 years.[8] Syverud oversaw the growth of Institute for Veterans and Military Families, located in the National Veterans Resource Center, which enrolls about 24,000 military members and their families in non-degree programs.[8][13] He played a critical role in luring the Micron Technology's $100 billion chip factory project to the area, by growing its engineering school by investing $100 million over the five years, which included $20 million to develop a Center for Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing.[8]
On August 26, 2025, Syverud announced his intention to step down as Chancellor and President, concluding a twelve-year tenure, effective June 2026[15][16][17]
Public service
In addition to his higher education leadership, Syverud previously served as co-chair of the Central New York Regional Economic Development Council, part of a statewide network created by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo to help spur economic growth throughout the state.[18][19] Under his leadership, plan submitted by central New York council was selected for an Upstate Revitalization Initiative grant of $500 million.[20][21][22]
He also previously served as one of two independent trustees of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Trust., a $20 billion fund to pay claims arising from the 2010 BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.[23][24] In 2016 he completed six years of service as one of the two trustees of the $20 billion Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Trust.
He has previously served as a Commissioner for the Middle States Commission on Higher Education[25] and as Chair of the Law School Admissions Council.[26]
12Boll, Carol (January 1, 2014). "Thoughtful Presence". Syracuse University Magazine. Vol.31, no.1. pp.22–29. Retrieved March 6, 2024. Chancellor Kent Syverud is Known and Admired for a Leadership Style that Reflects His Personable Nature, Sharp Intellect, Passion for Listening, and Commitment to Helping Others Achieve Success
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