网爆门’s Board of Trustees invites the campus community to celebrate the inauguration of J. Michael Haynie as the University鈥檚 13th chancellor and president.

The formal Investiture Ceremony will take place Friday, Sept. 18, at 2 p.m., highlighting a series of events running Sept. 17 to 18 that will honor the occasion. Inaugural activities will include academic programming, student-centered events and additional opportunities for students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends across the Orange community to mark this historic University milestone.

The University will launch a dedicated webpage this week with registration details and logistics for the weekend鈥檚 events. Additional information will be shared as plans are finalized.

Members of the campus community are encouraged to save the date for the Investiture Ceremony, with more details to follow.

When the Orange women’s basketball team earned its spot in the NCAA Tournament this spring, head coach 鈥�89 wasn’t expecting company from incoming Chancellor J. Michael Haynie on Selection Sunday.

“I’m not thinking anyone is going to come over to our party,” Legette-Jack says of the appearance by Haynie, who had just been named the University鈥檚 13th president and chancellor a week and a half earlier. “And not only did he come, but he stayed almost to the very end. He celebrated with the team and the fans.”

For Legette-Jack, the moment said something about who Haynie is. “He’s a listener. He鈥檚 an enthusiast. He鈥檚 very intelligent,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 sense that he鈥檚 going to see all of us and our goodness, and if we have struggles, he鈥檚 going to be an ear to listen.鈥�

That leadership instinct鈥攖o show up, pay attention and treat people like they matter鈥攔uns through the accounts of students, faculty, community leaders and national figures who have worked alongside Haynie during his nearly two decades at 网爆门.

He Meets People Where They Are

When , professor and director of the in the College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) and a member of the chancellor search committee, invited Haynie to tour the Nancy Cantor Warehouse earlier this spring, she noticed something right away: he came alone.

“There was no driver, no ‘handlers,’ no entourage of any kind,” Stokes-Rees says. 鈥淚t feels like he really prioritizes doing things himself and taking the time to make personal connections.鈥�

As they walked through the fashion design studio on the seventh floor, Haynie recognized the first student they encountered, by name. He knew her sorority and that he was having dinner with them the following Tuesday.

鈥淭his little moment is a perfect example of who he is,” Stokes-Rees says. “Truly student-focused, super friendly and energetic with everyone he meets. He brings a genuine desire to be actively involved in all aspects of University life.”

Legette-Jack sees the same quality in how Haynie communicates. “He can come to your level of communication,” she says. “You don’t feel like you’re speaking to somebody way above you.”

He Listens First, Then Acts

Thomas O’Brien 鈥�25, a VPA film program alumnus and project coordinator with the , traces his working relationship with Haynie to a single moment.

As a junior, O’Brien was invited to speak at New Student Convocation in the JMA Wireless Dome. Afterward, in the green room, Haynie handed him a neon sticky note with his email address and two words: “Let’s talk.”

“I still have the sticky note to this day,” O’Brien says.

Within two weeks, O’Brien was in Haynie’s office discussing his social media business. Over the following year, their conversations shifted. It was no longer about O’Brien’s venture, but explored a bigger question: How could 网爆门 meaningfully explore the creator economy?

That exchange helped lay the groundwork for the Center for the Creator Economy, a joint initiative between the Martin J. Whitman School of Management and the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, where O鈥橞rien develops programming for student creators as the center鈥檚 first full-time employee.

“He saw me, heard me and wanted me to succeed. He gave me a shot, and I took it,” O’Brien says. “That’s what university leaders should always aim to do.”

Leonel 鈥淟eo鈥� Aviles ’26, a recent graduate of the , Marine Corps veteran and outgoing president of the , experienced a similar pattern of connection leading to opportunity.

After getting to know Aviles through veteran events and regular meetings with the organization’s executive board, Haynie introduced him to Erik Smith, president and CEO of Saab鈥檚 U.S. operations, during a Syracuse football game where Aviles was honored as a Hometown Hero. That introduction led to Aviles securing a position as a cyber analyst at Saab after graduation.

“He did this simply because he wanted to help,” Aviles says. “He saw potential in me and took the initiative to create an opportunity without expecting anything in return.”

He Has the Record to Match

Haynie’s reach extends well beyond campus. Bob McDonald, who served as U.S. secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) from 2014-17 and is the former chairman and CEO of Procter & Gamble, first sought out Haynie as a leader in the veterans space. McDonald asked him to serve as vice chair of the VA’s external advisory committee. When the chair stepped back for family obligations, Haynie became the de facto leader.

“He deserves credit for the transformation of the VA, raising trust among veterans from 47% to near 80%,” McDonald says. “He knows how to lead and is great at building strategic partnerships and robust systems that deliver results.”

That reach is visible in the work Haynie built at Syracuse and championed nationally. Megan Andros, director of workforce and veterans at The Heinz Endowments, has worked alongside Haynie for more than a decade through the D鈥橝niello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF), which he founded.

What stays with her is his knack for seeing challenges before others do. Years ago, she was invited to a meeting Haynie convened with the U.S. Department of Defense, bringing higher education and the military together to collaborate鈥攔ather than compete鈥攊n the face of shared recruiting and enrollment pressures, long before those pressures became the crisis confronting universities today.

“He recognizes the most important issues early, and he gets the right people in the room to work on them before they become crises,” Andros says. “That combination of foresight, conviction, and the ability to move people toward a shared goal for the greater good is exactly what Syracuse needs as it steps into its next chapter.”

Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon witnessed Haynie鈥檚 steady, guiding hand during the COVID-19 pandemic and the recruitment of Micron Technology to the Central New York region.

“I think certainly his military background played out during the pandemic as the JMA Wireless Dome turned into essentially one of the largest healthcare testing facilities,鈥� McMahon says of Haynie鈥檚 track record of leading the University鈥檚 COVID response. 鈥淏eing able to get the school open, and have it stay open, with the rigorous regulatory environment that we were in was a testament to his leadership.鈥�

McMahon sees that same steady hand at work as the region positions itself around Micron’s planned semiconductor investment. “This next chapter is one where the University has real opportunities to grow in disciplines that maybe historically they weren’t competing in,” he says. “He understands the opportunity at hand.”

Back on campus, Stokes-Rees sees a university positioned to meet the moment.

“At a time when higher education faces real disruption, Syracuse needs a leader who leans into innovation rather than away from it, and that is exactly who Mike Haynie is,” she says.

When Candace Campbell Jackson arrived on the 网爆门 campus in 2015, she was uniquely qualified to take on the role of vice president and chief of staff on then-Chancellor Kent Syverud鈥檚 senior leadership team.

The chief of staff (COS) role was not common at universities at the time; it was most often found in the military and government. This was a role Campbell Jackson essentially defined in 2004 at the University of Akron, at a time when no other Ohio university had a COS and there were few in the nation.

Campbell Jackson brought to Syracuse deep insight into the significant impact a COS could have on a campus community and beyond. Now, after 11 years, she is concluding her term as and transitioning to a senior advisor to the chancellor role that will support Chancellor J. Michael Haynie鈥檚 new leadership team.

鈥淭hese chief of staff jobs are all-consuming, as they should be,鈥� says Campbell Jackson. 鈥淚t demands your whole self and you give it, because a university changes lives by nourishing minds, igniting passions, shaping careers, inspiring entrepreneurship and artistic endeavors and enriching communities.鈥�

The trusting relationships Campbell Jackson built with Syverud and the leadership team were the foundation for success. 鈥淭he leaders you work with deserve your honest assessment of the situation,鈥� says Campbell Jackson. 鈥淵ou have to master team dynamics and seek out the opinions of the entire team. I love it when someone tells me something I didn鈥檛 expect to hear and this new knowledge or perspective inspires more thought and deliberation. And if that results in an 11th-hour change of heart or mind, that鈥檚 good decision-making.鈥�

“Candace has been one of the most important people in my professional life,鈥� says Chancellor Emeritus Kent Syverud, who ended his tenure as chancellor in April. 鈥淲hen the hardest decisions were in front of us, I always wanted to know what she thought鈥攏ot because she told me what I wanted to hear, but because I could always trust that she never would. We have navigated some of the most consequential moments in this university’s recent history together, and at every turn she brought clarity, honesty and an unwavering commitment to doing right by Syracuse and its people. Syracuse is better because of her candor, her steadiness and her judgment under pressure. And so am I for having worked alongside her.”

Cultivating Leadership on Campus

In her role as COS, Campbell Jackson facilitated and co-chaired the 150-person , comprising key executives from multiple departments. Her role was to ensure that each team member was able to articulate decisions with clarity and confidence, strengthening internal communications across campus.

“I have known Candace as a colleague and as a friend, and both of those experiences have made me a better professional,鈥� says , who became the University鈥檚 13th chancellor and president in April. 鈥淪he is the kind of person who makes an institution work through an extraordinary dedication to the people and its mission. She brings a level of genuine care that is rare, and Syracuse has been the beneficiary of that for a long time. I have no doubt Candace will invest herself in her new role of advising me on leadership development, strategic partnerships and community impact matters with the same commitment and heart she brought to this place for the last decade.”

Campbell Jackson also cultivated leadership in new ways on campus, launching the (WiL) Initiative in 2018 to advance professional development for faculty and staff through education, awareness and mentorship. Reflecting on Campbell Jackson鈥檚 leadership, WiL participants praised her 鈥済enuine appreciation for people and commitment to creating opportunities for growth.鈥�

Despite the enormous pressures on higher education, Campbell Jackson is optimistic for the students, faculty and staff at 网爆门. 鈥淚 believe the leadership is poised to take the University to new heights. It has been a pacesetter in so many ways and I can鈥檛 wait to see what lies just beyond the horizon.鈥�

Forging Partnerships Beyond Campus

Campbell Jackson extended the impact of WiL well beyond the campus, spearheading a partnership between the and the nationally recognized Women Leaders in Sports organization, which is dedicated to accelerating the potential of women to positively impact sports. The partnership provides Falk students with mentoring, learning and internships, and supports professional development for Falk faculty.

According to , CEO of , 鈥淐andace has demonstrated an extraordinary ability to build聽meaningful partnerships, connect people around a shared vision and create opportunities that leave a lasting legacy. She approaches every conversation with a forward-looking, 鈥榥ext play鈥� mindset that inspires progress, growth and meaningful change.聽Her legacy will be measured not only by her accomplishments, but by the people and communities she has strengthened along the way, especially her聽commitment to investing in women leaders.鈥�

It鈥檚 the 鈥渘ext play鈥� mindset that has become a mantra of sorts for Campbell Jackson and a fundamental principle in her efforts to cultivate leaders and mentor students. 鈥淚t is my absolute joy to develop relationships and watch my mentees flourish,鈥� she says.

Car Shapiro 鈥�23, who met Campbell Jackson when visiting Syracuse as a high school student, says, 鈥淪he took me under her wing and helped time and time again at school, giving me the confidence to be myself. She often said, 鈥楾ake care of your people and they鈥檒l take care of you.鈥欌�� Shapiro is pursuing a career in New York City with a degree in entrepreneurship and emerging enterprises from the and a portfolio of connections.

Nurturing Creativity

The partnerships forged by Campbell Jackson during her tenure at Syracuse run deep in the arts community as well, reflecting her desire to nurture the creative talents and aspirations of students. After learning that the internationally renowned photographer Carrie Mae Weems lives in Syracuse, Campbell Jackson approached Syverud with the idea of creating an Artist-in-Residence program to bring prominent and emerging artists to campus to collaborate with faculty and students.

Syverud gave his full support, and Weems became the inaugural Artist-in-Residence in 2020, recently concluding her residency. She worked with students on several projects, providing new outlets for creative energies on campus and beyond and bringing national attention to the University.

Similarly, Campbell Jackson saw an opportunity to renew a partnership between the University and the prestigious Syracuse International Jazz Fest, now in its 40th year. 鈥淚t was a chance to spotlight our talented students and faculty and bring them closer to famous artists like Kenny G, Gladys Knight, Herbie Hancock and Trombone Shorty.”

This year, the 网爆门 National Veterans Resource Center at the Daniel and Gayle D鈥橝niello Building will host the U.S. Air Force Band鈥檚 Airmen of Note on the festival鈥檚 opening night. The festival closes with a hosted by , featuring students and community singers. 鈥淭his partnership is a gift to campus and community, and the opportunity for the connection and collaboration has just been magical,鈥� says Campbell Jackson.

鈥淐andace is a philanthropist in every sense,鈥� says , president and CEO of the Central New York Community Foundation. 鈥淪he is beyond generous and unselfishly gives her time, treasure and expertise to so many. Her core belief is that relationships are foundational to building long-lasting partnerships. I have seen this demonstrated time and time again in her tenure at 网爆门. She leans into innovation, problem-solving and collaboration in ways that have built and sustained relationships. This is her superpower.鈥�

Leaving a Legacy and Looking Ahead

Campbell Jackson has been recognized for her contributions and impact with 网爆门鈥檚 Chancellor鈥檚 Medal for Leadership (2021); the Trailblazer Award from Women Leaders in Sports (2022); by the Syracuse chapter of the American Heart Association (2023); the Fortitude Award from Delta Sigma Theta Syracuse Alumnae (2026); and the Higher Education Opportunity Program Robert L. Boney Service in Perpetuity Award (2026).

She continues to serve institutions beyond the University, as a trustee of Manlius Pebble High School; board of advisory member for the School of Education at her alma mater, Howard University; board member of Women Leaders in Sports and the National Grid Foundation; and member of the Central New York Regional Economic Development Council.

Looking back at serving as chief of staff for Chancellor Emeritus Syverud for more than a decade, Campbell Jackson says, 鈥淚 had a front-row view of his deep commitment to our entire 网爆门 family鈥攕tudents, faculty, staff, alumni, community and global partners. Chancellor Syverud is personally very modest, but he was so bold and ambitious about 网爆门鈥檚 mission and role in this world. It has been the privilege of my career to serve alongside him on his executive team and be inspired by his leadership.鈥�

Campbell Jackson鈥檚 鈥渘ext play鈥� has her looking forward to spending more time with her husband, family and close friends, whom she credits for guiding, inspiring, grounding and supporting her. In the true spirit of the quote, 鈥淛oyful is the accumulation of good work,鈥� Campbell Jackson says she has been 鈥渂lessed with opportunities to have done professionally and personally meaningful work at 网爆门 with people I so love and admire. It has brought me infinite joy and gratitude.鈥�

Three of Central New York’s most prominent champions for veterans, including 网爆门 ,聽 were honored May 28 at Madison County Distillery in Cazenovia, as WCNY launched its first “Mission: Honor Our Heroes”鈥攁n event raising funds to keep local veterans’ stories on the air.

Chancellor Haynie, Col. F. William (Bill) Smullen III, U.S. Army (Ret.), a Syracuse alumnus and former director of the University鈥檚 national security studies program, and Rear Admiral John Paddock, co-founder of Honor Flight Syracuse, were honored by WCNY.

The event secured funding for continued production and distribution of 鈥淗onor Flight Syracuse,鈥� ensuring the voices and experiences of local veterans reach audiences across the region.

鈥溾�楳ission: Honor Our Heroes鈥� reflects 奥颁狈驰鈥檚 deep commitment to telling the stories of those who have served our country and our community,鈥� said Mitch Gelman, president and CEO of WCNY. 鈥淲e are honored to recognize these extraordinary individuals while bringing our community together to celebrate their leadership, sacrifice and lasting impact.鈥�

鈥淚 am humbled to be recognized as an advocate for Honor Flight Syracuse and Central New York veterans,鈥� says Chancellor Haynie. 鈥淚 have always believed that the debt we owe to those who have served and sacrificed for our nation鈥檚 defense can never be repaid, but it certainly can and should be acknowledged and honored. That鈥檚 what has driven 网爆门 to be a leader in veteran education, and that鈥檚 why I鈥檓 so proud to be a supporter of Honor Flight Syracuse.鈥�

An influential researcher and scholar, Haynie assumed the chancellorship of 网爆门 on May 11. He is the founder of the and has an extensive record of national public service.

His advocacy for service members and veterans also includes serving as chairman of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Federal Advisory Committee on Veterans Employment, Training and Employer Outreach; vice chairman and later chairman of a White House Presidential Task Force on long-term reform at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA); and membership on the George W. Bush Institute Advisory Council and the VA’s Veterans’ Advisory Committee on Education. Before entering academia, Haynie served as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Air Force for 14 years.

Smullen G鈥�74 is a Vietnam veteran who served in the U.S. Army and U.S. State Department for more than 32 years. His last assignment on active duty was special assistant to the 11th and 12th Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral William J. Crowe Jr. and General Colin L. Powell. He served as director of Syracuse鈥檚 in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs from 2003-21 and taught in the . He is the former CEO of Clear Path for Veterans.

鈥淔or so many years WCNY has been a partner in amplifying the Honor Flight mission, in telling the stories of Central New York veterans and in helping our community understand the contributions of those who have served,鈥� Haynie says. 鈥淭oday we鈥檙e working to ensure that mission can continue so every veteran who wants to be part of the Honor Flight experience has not only that opportunity but the chance to share their story through WCNY.鈥�

Miron Victory Court was the setting for the Faculty Research and Creative Excellence Celebration hosted by the April 27. The event served to honor faculty who earned prestigious external research awards, fellowships, grants and patents in 2025鈥攚hich translates to more than 280 distinct recognitions spanning every school and college at the University.

Incoming spoke at the event, praising the research enterprise and sharing his vision for continued growth.

鈥淚 am coming into this role with deep respect for what has been built here, and with equally deep conviction that our best days as a research institution are still ahead of us,鈥� he said.

Record Year for Sponsored Research

Sponsored research expenditures reached $95.6 million in 2025, a 5% increase over last year and a 49% increase over five years. Of the 178 faculty recognized at the event, 102 secured new sponsored project awards from the National Science Foundation (NSF), National Institutes of Health, Department of Defense, New York State, various foundations, the private sector and other sources.

Haynie noted that the University鈥檚 鈥淩esearch 1鈥� Carnegie Classification places Syracuse among just 39 private doctoral universities in the nation recognized for the highest level of research activity.

鈥淭hat is not a statistic on a website,” he told the faculty. “That is a reflection of you鈥攜our publications, your discoveries, your doctoral graduates and the external investment that your reputations have attracted to this institution.”

Vice President for Research also spoke at the event. He emphasized the importance of research to the University鈥檚 educational mission.

鈥淪tudents do not choose Syracuse just because of our R1 classification,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hey choose Syracuse because of what the R1 classification means: the opportunity to work with faculty who are doing the work we are recognizing tonight. That is the connection between the research enterprise and the educational mission of this University, and it is why our investment in research matters.鈥�

Brown also noted that, 鈥渞esearch attracts and retains our outstanding faculty, and those faculty bring the passion for what they do to our students, transforming them from consumers of knowledge to creators of knowledge and equipping them with the skills to solve challenges across the full breadth of human society.鈥�

Honoree Highlights

Among those celebrated at the event were six physics faculty who shared the 2025 Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics, one of the most prestigious awards in science. Three faculty were elected fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Four early-career faculty received prestigious NSF CAREER Awards spanning chemistry, electrical engineering and computer science, physics and political science. Six faculty received Fulbright awards.

Additional recognition included diverse book and paper awards, artistic grants from the New York State Council on the Arts and CNY Arts, patents and international honors. In addition, multiple faculty earned awards from their respective professional societies.

Commitment to Research

Haynie called on faculty to pursue ambitious, externally funded research agendas, to collaborate across disciplines, to invest in mentoring doctoral students and to publicly communicate the value of their scholarship.

鈥淭he challenges facing our world鈥攊n health, in technology, in democracy, in sustainability, in human understanding鈥攄emand exactly the kind of rigorous, creative, courageous scholarship that happens at a place like Syracuse,鈥� he said.

Haynie offered a direct pledge: 鈥淚 will be an advocate for research, loudly and consistently. I will work to ensure that our faculty have the resources, the infrastructure and the institutional support they need to pursue ambitious ideas. Together, we will make sure that the next chapter of research at 网爆门 is the most consequential one yet.鈥�

gets a hands-on welcome on his first day on the job, climbing to the top of Crouse College to learn the Syracuse alma mater on the iconic chimes with the help of a Chimesmaster.

The Chimesmasters of 网爆门 are a closely guarded secret, with their identities revealed only after graduation. But on Chancellor Haynie’s first day, one of them took him under their wing in the bell tower above the Setnor School of Music in the .

Watch as Chancellor Haynie navigates the winding stairs of Crouse College, gets a crash course on the chimes keyboard and, with a little help, rings out the Syracuse alma mater over the campus he now leads.

When arrived at 网爆门’s in the fall of 2006 as an assistant professor, he had recently transitioned out of the Air Force as an officer after 14 years of service. He arrived in Syracuse with no particular intention of staying more than a few years. “My brain was sort of wired,” he told students at a recent fireside chat to celebrate Whitman Day. “I was used to staying in a place for a couple years.”

Nearly two decades later, on March 3, 2026, the 网爆门 Board of Trustees appointed him the institution’s 13th chancellor and president. The arc from his arrival to the University’s highest office is a story of scholarship put to use and of research that charted a new course.

The Scholar Behind the Work

Haynie completed a doctoral degree in entrepreneurship and business strategy at the University of Colorado at Boulder. His scholarship has been published in the world’s leading business and entrepreneurship journals, and his body of work has now been cited approximately 9,000 times.

That number places him, as Whitman Interim Dean Alex McKelvie said as he introduced Haynie at the fireside chat, “among the most influential entrepreneurship scholars in the world.” At Syracuse, he was recognized for his work by earning the Barnes Professorship and, in 2018, was named University Professor, the University鈥檚 highest faculty distinction.

鈥淲hat makes Mike’s scholarly record so remarkable is not just the volume or the impact鈥攊t’s the context,鈥� says McKelvie. 鈥淗e has 21 journal publications with more than 100 citations each, including five with more than 500 citations each, while simultaneously building programs, leading institutions and taking on the University’s most pressing challenges. Most scholars of his caliber are doing research full time. Mike was doing it as a fraction of his job. That is what separates him.鈥�

Much of Haynie鈥檚 work focused on entrepreneurial cognition: how successful founders think, decide and act under uncertainty. His findings pointed repeatedly toward military veterans鈥攁 population largely absent from entrepreneurship discourse, yet shaped by training that produces exactly the traits research links to high-performing entrepreneurs: quick consequential decisions, leadership under pressure and persistence through unpredictable environments. What was missing was a program to help them translate those skills into building a business.

An Entrepreneurship Program for Veterans

About six months into his Whitman appointment, Haynie hit upon what a program could look like. His idea was to bring seriously wounded post-9/11 veterans to campus and help them become small business owners. “Here I am, an entrepreneurship professor,” he said. “I’m a veteran myself. It’s something I could do.”

He proposed the program to then-Whitman Dean Melvin Stith, a Vietnam veteran, and set one condition that the program would be free. Stith’s response: “Sure. Go raise the money.”

Haynie had never raised money before. Two months before the first program was set to launch, he had raised roughly $20,000 of the $120,000 he needed. It was at that time that he first met Martin J. Whitman, a University benefactor and the school’s namesake.

Whitman, a World War II veteran, wrote a check and covered the gap. “He made a point to me that has stuck with me now for 20 years,” Haynie said, “that this is an institution that gives people a chance when others would not.”

That first program, launched in 2007, became the : a three-phase curriculum combining 30 days of online business instruction, a nine-day residential at Whitman, and a year of mentorship.

More than 2,400 veterans have now graduated from EBV. Approximately 79% have started or continued to grow their own businesses, and 92% of those businesses remain in operation. The program expanded into a national consortium headquartered at Syracuse.

Inc. magazine named EBV one of the country鈥檚 10 best entrepreneurship programs in 2011, the Department of the Army recognized it as a national best practice and in May 2013 CBS News鈥� 鈥�60 Minutes鈥� spent nearly a month on campus following the work.

From Program to Institute

As EBV鈥檚 profile grew, letters from World War II veterans led Haynie to Syracuse鈥檚 own history. GIs who accepted Chancellor William Pearson Tolley鈥檚 1944 open invitation had transformed the school from a 4,100-student regional college into a research university of nearly 18,000. Fast forward decades later, Haynie saw that no center in American higher education was systematically studying veterans鈥� and military families鈥� concerns.

罢辞诲补测鈥檚 is a national hub offering career, entrepreneurship and transition programs alongside research, policy analysis and community partnerships for service members, veterans and their families.

With initial funding he secured from JPMorgan Chase, the IVMF became the nation’s first interdisciplinary academic institute chartered to advance the policy, economic and wellness concerns of America’s veterans and military-connected families. Through partnerships with corporations, government agencies and nonprofits, it built new pathways for veterans transitioning to civilian life. More than 230,000 service members, veterans and military family members have participated in its programs.

Haynie served as the University’s vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation for more than a decade. He went on to chair the U.S. Secretary of Labor鈥檚 Advisory Committee on Veterans鈥� Employment, Training and Employer Outreach and to help lead long-term reform at Veterans Affairs. Time magazine named him one of 16 individuals working toward a more equal America in 2020, the same year he led the University’s COVID-19 response, which earned him the 2021 Chancellor鈥檚 Medal.

A Scholar and Teacher at Heart

Twenty years after he first arrived on campus, Haynie鈥檚 dedication to the Whitman School remains as strong as ever. In 2023, he was named the school鈥檚 executive dean. In that role, he provided strategic direction for Whitman鈥檚 Transformation 2030 plan, under which the school has risen in national rankings, strengthened its research profile and expanded experiential learning opportunities. Under his leadership, Whitman recently launched the in partnership with the .

鈥淚鈥檝e had the rare opportunity to see Mike Haynie in action across nearly every layer of the University鈥檚 innovation ecosystem. What stands out is how deeply personal his commitment to entrepreneurship really is. Mike doesn鈥檛 just lead programs. He lives the work,鈥� says Linda Dickerson Hartsock, founder and retired executive director of the University鈥檚 Blackstone Launchpad. 鈥淗e understands the creative energy of startup ventures because he embodies those qualities himself.鈥�

Hartsock says Haynie鈥檚 connection to students really defines him. 鈥淎s a mentor, he has been instrumental to some of our most promising student and alumni startups,鈥� she says. 鈥淗e has a way of pushing founders to think bigger while grounding them in disciplined execution.鈥�

A Chancellor Formed by His Work

Haynie’s appointment as Syracuse’s 13th chancellor was the natural extension of what his scholarship had always done: identify a problem, build something real in response and grow it.

At the fireside chat, Haynie was asked what excites him most about what lies ahead for the University. His answer was characteristically direct: the same conditions that challenge higher education鈥攄eclining enrollment, eroding public trust and the disruption brought by AI鈥攁re also the conditions that create the most opportunity for institutions willing to respond with speed and imagination.

“If we do that well and do that quickly,” he said, “we can thrive relative to our peers.”

wasn’t supposed to be the one standing at the podium in the JMA Wireless Dome on Sunday, May 10. And he said so.

Haynie opened 网爆门’s Class of 2026 Commencement with a solemn moment, noting that his tenure as the University’s 13th chancellor and president was officially set to begin the following day. The man who had earned the right to preside over this ceremony was not there to do it.

“It is Chancellor Kent Syverud who should be here today,” Haynie said. “He earned this moment.”

Chancellor Syverud, who led the University for 12 years, recently disclosed his brain cancer diagnosis and is currently undergoing treatment in Michigan. Haynie asked those assembled to join him in wishing the outgoing Chancellor well. He acknowledged Dr. Ruth Chen, Chancellor Syverud鈥檚 wife, who traveled to Syracuse to accept an honorary degree.

In celebrating the graduates, Haynie acknowledged their families and loved ones and the University鈥檚 faculty and staff who supported the students through their Syracuse journeys.

鈥淲hile the achievements we celebrate here today are those of our graduates, those achievements were made possible because of you. Thank you,鈥� Haynie said.

鈥淭o every person who played a role in getting these graduates to this moment, whether you coached them, counseled them or simply loved them, thank you for being here,鈥� Haynie said. 鈥淭his day belongs to you as well.鈥�

A Class That Persisted and Showed Up

Haynie then turned his attention to the graduates.

“You are taking your place in a world that many describe as uncertain and divided and sometimes even unkind,” he said. “And they’re not wrong. But here’s what those people don’t fully appreciate: you’ve been here before.”

The Class of 2026 had their high school years deeply affected by a global pandemic that canceled their proms, upended their routines and rewrote the world they thought they were growing up into. They arrived at Syracuse amid political polarization, economic volatility and international conflict.

And yet, Haynie said, they did not collapse. They adapted and persisted.

鈥淲hen things got hard, you didn’t retreat, you recalibrated, you found a way. You carry something no generation before you has quite mastered and that is a fierce authenticity and uncompromising demand for honesty, for inclusion and the rare willingness not to just call things out for what they are, but to roll up your sleeves and play a role in fixing them,鈥� Haynie said.

The Class of 2026 is uniquely built for the moment they’re entering. While industries debate artificial intelligence and digital transformation, he said, these graduates are already fluent. They set the curve rather than chasing it.

Haynie encouraged them not to coast on that advantage. “Wherever you go next鈥攁 workplace, a graduate program, a studio, a community, a stage that the world has not even built yet鈥攎ake it better than you found it. Don’t lower the bar. Raise it.”

Haynie told the graduates that when someone tells them they can’t, they won’t or they never will, remind them where they came from. Remind them what house built them.

He asked the crowd what color that house is painted. And the response, of course, 鈥淥range!鈥�

“I love 网爆门.” In this video, Chancellor-elect J. Michael Haynie reflects on his nearly 20 years at the University, his commitment to every member of the Orange family and what he’s ready to build together.

On the morning of March 3, members of the 网爆门 community gathered in the National Veterans Resource Center at the Daniel and Gayle D鈥橝niello Building鈥攁 building that itself stands as a testament to J. Michael Haynie’s impact on the University鈥攖o celebrate Haynie鈥檚 appointment as the University’s 13th chancellor and president.

The official announcement, made by Board of Trustees Chairman Jeffrey M. Scruggs, was met with a standing ovation. Haynie, who has been a member of the University community for nearly 20 years, will assume his new responsibilities on July 1.

Search Committee Co-Chair Elisabeth “Lisa” Fontenelli ’86; Student Government Association President German Alejandro Nolivos ’26, who was also a search committee member; and Scruggs each addressed the crowd before Haynie took the podium.

In his first remarks as chancellor-elect, Haynie was direct and personal: “I do love 网爆门. I love this community, I love our people and I am so proud and so ready to serve as your 13th chancellor and president.”

Haynie currently serves as vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation and executive dean of the . He is the founder and executive director of the and a 14-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force. In 2021, he received the University’s highest honor, the Chancellor’s Medal.

Browse photos from the announcement celebration, below.

The 网爆门 Board of Trustees today announced the appointment of J. Michael Haynie as the 13th chancellor and president of 网爆门. Haynie, who currently serves as vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation and executive dean of the , will assume his new responsibilities on July 1. Today’s announcement follows a recommendation of the search committee and a unanimous vote by the Board of Trustees, where members affirmed the unanimous recommendations of the Board’s Executive Committee.

“Few people have demonstrated a deeper commitment to 网爆门 than Mike Haynie, and he is exceptionally well-positioned to carry it forward with the dedication and vision this moment demands,” says Jeff Scruggs, chairman of the Board of Trustees. “For more than two decades, he has poured himself into this institution, expanding its reach, deepening its impact and championing the students and communities it exists to serve. His record of leadership is extraordinary, and the Board has great confidence in the future of 网爆门. We are proud to welcome him as our 13th chancellor and president.”

Haynie has been a member of the 网爆门 community for more than two decades and a senior member of the University’s leadership team for more than 10 years, including in his current role as vice chancellor and executive dean of the Whitman School. He is the founder and executive director of the , the nation’s first interdisciplinary academic institute chartered to advance the policy, economic and wellness concerns of America’s veterans and military-connected families. In 2018, he was named University Professor, the most senior and selective academic distinction awarded to 网爆门 faculty, and in 2021, Haynie received 网爆门’s highest honor, the Chancellor’s Medal, for his leadership of the University’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“网爆门 is not just an institution to me. It is home. It is a community that has shaped me, challenged me and gave me the privilege of doing the most meaningful work of my life,” says Haynie. “I am humbled and energized by the trust this community has placed in me, and I carry that trust as both an honor and a responsibility. The foundation we stand on is strong. Our best days are ahead, and I’m ready to get to work alongside our remarkable students, world-class faculty and passionate alumni in service to our highest purpose鈥攁cademic excellence. Working together we will ensure 网爆门 remains a place where great ideas catch fire, where students discover their purpose and where bold ambition is matched by an equally bold commitment to the world beyond our walls.”

A Search Defined by Partnership and Shared Purpose

The search process launched following the announcement that Chancellor Kent Syverud would step down from his role at 网爆门 in June. It engaged the full spectrum of the Orange community, including students, faculty, staff, alumni, trustees, local community members and elected officials, through listening sessions, a community survey and broad committee representation. At the heart of the search committee鈥檚 charge was ensuring the next leader remained focused on elevating the student experience and advancing the University鈥檚 academic mission.

“This was a search process defined by genuine partnership and shared purpose,” says Shelly L. Fisher ’80, co-chair of the search committee and member of the Board of Trustees. “Our community showed up with wisdom, generosity and a clear sense of what this university needs to thrive. Time and again, that guidance led us toward a leader with a proven record of impact here, an entrepreneurial spirit and a deep commitment to our students and academic mission. Mike Haynie embodies all of that and more.鈥�

“Throughout the search process, amazing faculty, staff, students, alums, trustees, elected officials and community members generously shared their views on what they love about 网爆门 and what they hope for its future,鈥� says Elisabeth “Lisa” Fontenelli ’86, co-chair of the search committee and member of the Board of Trustees. 鈥淔rom those conversations, a portrait emerged of a leader who would dedicate themselves to our mission, our people and our future, who would sustain tradition as well as create and transform, whose entrepreneurial instincts and decisive leadership will help 网爆门 to navigate the challenges and realize the opportunities of this moment. Mike Haynie is that leader. We are confident he will carry this institution forward with distinction.”

A National Leader for Veterans and Military Families

Under Haynie’s leadership, 网爆门 has established itself as one of the premier destinations in American higher education for veterans and military-connected students. His vision and sustained commitment transformed a promising program into a nationally recognized ecosystem of support, opportunity and advocacy.

At the center of that transformation is the National Veterans Resource Center (NVRC) at the Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello Building, a facility Haynie championed and helped bring to life on campus. A first-of-its-kind hub dedicated to veteran and military-connected student success, the NVRC offers comprehensive academic, wellness, career and community resources under one roof and has become a model for institutions across the country.

Haynie also oversaw significant growth in veteran and military-connected enrollment, making Syracuse a destination of choice for servicemembers, veterans and their families. That growth reflects both the strength of the University’s programs and the national reputation Haynie has built through research, advocacy and public service. The D’Aniello Institute has become a significant driver of the University’s research enterprise, producing scholarship that advances policy, economic and wellness outcomes for veterans and military families, contributing directly to Syracuse’s standing as an R1 research institution.

Central to that reputation is his work forging partnerships with corporations, government agencies and nonprofits to create new pathways for veterans and their families. Through the D’Aniello Institute, Haynie has collaborated with leading employers on veteran hiring initiatives, workforce transition programs and entrepreneurship pipelines, while working closely with the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Labor to shape national policy.

The scope of that work brought Haynie to national attention. His approach to veteran support was featured in a 鈥�60 Minutes鈥� profile in 2013, and in 2020, Time magazine named him one of 16 individuals working toward creating a more equal America.

A Record of Scholarship, Service and Leadership

A widely recognized scholar in the fields of entrepreneurship, innovation and strategy, Haynie has served on the editorial boards of the field’s most prestigious academic journals and as an appointee to the CNBC Disruptor 50 Council. His public service record is equally distinguished. In 2013, he was appointed chairman of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Federal Advisory Committee on Veterans’ Employment and Training, and in 2015, the White House appointed him vice chairman, and later chairman, of a presidential task force charged with setting the course for long-term reform at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Before joining the 网爆门 faculty, Haynie served for 14 years as an officer in the United States Air Force. He holds a Ph.D. in entrepreneurship and business strategy from the University of Colorado at Boulder, an MBA from the University of Oregon and a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Delaware.

Haynie and his partner, Kevin, reside in Cazenovia with their two dogs.