ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ

Dear Orange Students, Faculty, Staff, Alumni, Families, and Friends:

As a new academic year begins, I’ve been thinking a lot about what lies ahead—not just for our University, but for me personally and professionally. After much reflection, I’ve decided that I will step down as chancellor and president of ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ in June 2026.

Serving this University has been the greatest privilege of my career. For a native New Yorker who grew up just west of here in Irondequoit, the opportunity to lead ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ has been both humbling and profoundly meaningful, and in many ways like coming home.

For more than 12 years I have witnessed the people who make up this great university perform miracles every day. You have launched innovative academic programs, hired hundreds of new faculty, and advanced research addressing the world’s biggest challenges. ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ is now known as a national leader in supporting veterans and military-connected families. From the National Veterans Resource Center and the Barnes Center at The Arch, to the reimagined JMA Wireless Dome and a revitalized Schine Student Center, you have transformed our campus into a more dynamic and vibrant living and learning environment. Applications and enrollment have reached record levels. And together, we have confronted one of the most disruptive decades in the history of higher education, including navigating a once-in-a-century global pandemic that required more of our people than ever before. I marvel at the extraordinary talent of our Orange community. And you’ve done all this while putting the University in strong financial shape, with truly balanced budgets and record fundraising.

These accomplishments belong to all of us. I am especially grateful to my leadership team, our faculty and staff, our students, and our deeply committed alumni. Your passion and dedication power ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ every day. I also want to express my heartfelt thanks to the Board of Trustees for the faith they placed in me back in 2013 and for their trust and partnership over the years. And to my wife, Dr. Ruth Chen, thank you for your steadfast commitment to this community, and for your many contributions—not only as my partner, but as a teacher, mentor, and advocate.

As we look to the future, I have one important request. Over the next year, the Board of Trustees will be selecting my successor. I encourage each of you to engage fully and thoughtfully with the Board of Trustees as they lead this important search. Your voices, perspectives, and aspirations for the future are vital to selecting a leader who will build upon our shared accomplishments and guide ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ forward.

There is still more to do, and I’m energized for this final year. We will continue advancing, building, and achieving, together as One University. Although our time in leadership will end next June, Ruth and I will always be part of this extraordinary Orange community. We will remain Forever Orange.

With gratitude,

Chancellor Kent Syverud