U-M picks Vanderbilt’s C. Cybele Raver as next president: What to know

U-M is hiring Vanderbilt Provost C. Cybele Raver as its 17th president
She will be the second female president of Michigan’s largest university
She will succeed Domenico Grasso

The University of Michigan has selected C. Cybele Raver, the provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at Vanderbilt University, as its next president.

She will be the second female president of the university. She was appointed to the Vanderbilt position in 2021.

Raver, who holds a Ph.D. in developmental psychology, is also a professor of psychology and human development at Vanderbilt’s Peabody College, where she has conducted research on children’s development, education policy and poverty.

She will succeed Domenico Grasso, who has been U-M’s president since 2025 when Santa Ono resigned.

Since then, U-M announced Kent Syverud, a U-M alum and president of Syracuse University, would lead the school. But earlier this year, Syverud announced he had brian cancer and U-M resumed its search.

Related:

“It is an extraordinary honor to be considered as the University of Michigan’s 17th president at this pivotal moment in higher education,” Raver said in a statement. “Michigan’s scale and impact across research, education, economic growth and public service are unmatched, and I’m eager to build on its remarkable legacy. I look forward to working alongside faculty, staff, students and alumni to lead Michigan forward with clarity and confidence.”

The Board of Regents plans to meet Sept. 1 to approve the hiring. If she is approved, she will start Dec. 1.

“Dr. Raver has a proven record of building strong teams, expanding research excellence and strengthening every institution she has served,” said Michael Behm, chair of the Board of Regents in a statement. “She understands what it takes to lead a complex, world-class university and she shares our unwavering belief that Michigan has been, is now and must remain the best university in the country. We are confident she is the right leader for this moment and we look forward to the board’s formal vote.”

Raver will inherit a host of challenges at U-M, including selecting a new athletic director as Warde Manuel is set to step down at the end of the year.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Thank you to our Education Watch sponsors

Bridge Michigan Education Watch is made possible by generous financial support from our sponsors. Sponsorship supports our independent journalism mission but does not constitute sponsor endorsement of individual articles or editorial content. Bridge Michigan journalism remains fact- and data-driven and independent at all times.

Please visit the About page for more information and to subscribe to Education Watch. Interested in becoming a sponsor? Contact Emma Carr.