The Vanderbilt Board of Trust has reappointed Provost C. Cybele Raver to continue leading Vanderbilt's academic mission through 2031, ensuring long-term continuity and strategic execution through the next decade. Together with Chancellor Daniel Diermeier, whose contract was recently extended through 2035, Raver's leadership will be pivotal in shaping Vanderbilt's future.
"From encouraging bold research to recruiting world-class faculty and enrolling the most promising students, Provost Raver's leadership has been outstanding and her impact on the university has been significant in a short time," Vanderbilt Board of Trust Chairman Bruce Evans said. "The board is delighted to renew her contract and to support her and Chancellor Diermeier as they continue to advance their transformative vision."
While universities nationwide are experiencing rapid leadership turnover, Vanderbilt is relying on its trusted, visionary leaders to sustain the university's progress and accelerate innovation into the next decade. This continuity in executive leadership gives Vanderbilt a competitive advantage in research strategy, faculty recruitment, student success and global engagement.
"In the ongoing project of realizing Vanderbilt's tremendous potential, I could not ask for a better partner than Cybele Raver," Diermeier said. "Her keen strategic insight, her courage and her scientist's analytical rigor all make her the right leader of our academic enterprise at a pivotal time for Vanderbilt and higher education more broadly. I look forward to continuing the momentum we've built together in partnership with our university community."
Raver assumed the role of provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs on July 1, 2021, taking over from former Provost Susan R. Wente. Under Raver's leadership, Vanderbilt has launched the College of Connected Computing, its first new college in four decades. It's also recruited five new deans, reshaping the academic leadership landscape.
Raver has also secured board approval and launched major capital projects-including 1,300 new residential beds and a new science building-that are scheduled to be completed in her next term.
She has spearheaded academic planning for new campuses in West Palm Beach and New York City and strengthened infrastructure for research operations, faculty development and student well-being.
With an eye on Vanderbilt's mission to help drive a more robust innovation economy, Raver launched Discovery Vanderbilt to fund the groundbreaking research that the university is conducting to solve some of the world's most pressing problems. Vanderbilt has also surpassed $100 million in annual technology transfer revenue and reached its first $1 billion milestone in annual research expenditures.
Raver has expanded Vanderbilt's academic offerings beyond the borders of the campus. During her tenure, she has driven significant expansion in online education through Vanderbilt Online and AdvancED-extending Vanderbilt's reach to more learners than ever before.
"It's an extraordinary honor and privilege to continue serving Vanderbilt at such a transformative moment in higher education," Raver said. "As we look to the decade ahead, our focus remains clear: to expand our reach and impact through research and teaching on key issues such as our nation's economic growth, Americans' health and our national security. I'm honored to lead alongside Chancellor Diermeier and to continue working with our faculty, students and staff as we shape what's next for this great university."
