PODCAST:
Aug. 19, 2026 ~ University of Michigan Board of Regents Member Sarah Hubbard joins Kevin Dietz to discuss the university’s new president and what this leadership transition means for the future of U-M.
ANN ARBOR, MICH. ~ The University of Michigan has found its 17th president, former Vanderbilt University Provost C. Cybele Raver. With the official announcement coming from the school Tuesday morning, she would become just the second woman in school history to hold the title, if she is approved at an expected Sept. 1 board meeting.
She would officially replace interim Domenico Grasso on Dec. 1 if her election is validated.
According to her profile on Vanderbilt’s website, she has advanced transformational initiatives across Vanderbilt’s academic enterprise by launching the College of Connected Computing, recruited five new deans, strengthened research infrastructure, and spearheaded Discovery Vanderbilt to catalyze world-changing innovation.
U-M’s first choice to replace former president Santa J. Ono, Kent D. Syverud, Syracuse University’s former chancellor, was chosen in February, but was diagnosed with brain cancer in April and had to pivot and join the school as a law professor and board adviser.
