ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The University of Michigan Board of Regents has chosen Vanderbilt University provost C. Cybele Raver to become the school’s 17th president.
The board announced the decision Aug. 18. Regents are expected to formally vote on Raver’s appointment during a special meeting Sept. 1. If approved, she will take over Dec. 1.
Raver would succeed President Domenico Grasso, who plans to remain in the role through Nov. 30 and help with the transition.
Raver has been Vanderbilt’s provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs since 2021. She previously served as deputy provost at New York University and held faculty positions at the University of Chicago and Cornell University.
She holds a Ph.D. in developmental psychology from Yale University. Her research has focused on child development, education policy and poverty.
In a statement, Raver said she is honored to be considered for the position and called the University of Michigan’s impact in research, education, economic growth and public service “unmatched.”
“I look forward to working alongside faculty, staff, students and alumni to lead Michigan forward with clarity and confidence,” Raver said.
Her selection comes as U-M prepares to welcome new and returning students for the fall semester.
“I’m excited to move into my fall dorm. I’m also excited to start my classes,” student Kendall Hall said.
“It’s like a bittersweet emotion. You’re ready to get going, but then your family’s back home. But once you get into the swing of things, it really takes off,” student Liam Cohrs said.
Elaine Maimon, the former president of Grand Valley State University, said university leaders are facing increasing political pressure.
“I don’t see people really defending the status quo because there is room for improvement. I think the problem here is that those improvements shouldn’t be mandated in a partisan way by the federal government or state governments,” she said.