University Politics

Leaders of SU: 10 key decision-makers at Syracuse University

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In order to help you better understand who is leading Syracuse University, The Daily Orange compiled a list of 10 of the key decision-makers at the university, including Chancellor Kent Syverud (shown here).

Heading into your first year at Syracuse University, who makes decisions about the university that you are now a part of?

To help you better understand these decision makers, the head editors of The Daily Orange voted on who 10 of the most important leaders at SU are.

Here are the results:

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  • Kent Syverud

Position: Chancellor and President



Start of Role: January 2014

Salary: Undisclosed

Description: Syverud is the 12th chancellor at SU and came to the university after serving as dean of the law school at Washington University in St. Louis. As SU’s chancellor, Syverud is the face of the university and has set forth initiatives about SU’s future, including Fast Forward Syracuse.

  • Liz Liddy

Position: Interim Vice Chancellor and Provost

Start of Role: January 2015

Salary: Undisclosed

Description: Liddy began her role as interim vice chancellor and provost after Eric Spina stepped down in December 2014. Liddy is SU’s chief academic officer, meaning she’s responsible for the academic side of things. Before her current role, she was the dean of the School of Information Studies.

  • Steven Barnes

Position: Chairman of the Board of Trustees

Start of Role: May 2015

Salary: Undisclosed

Description: Barnes is the chairman of the Board of Trustees, which oversees the activities of SU. The Board of Trustees is made up of mostly SU alumni. Barnes is a managing director with Bain Capital, a global alternative investment firm based in Boston. He also serves as a member of the ownership group and board of directors of the Boston Celtics.

  • Mark Coyle

Position: Director of Athletics

Start of Role: July 2015

Salary: Undisclosed

Description: Coyle leads the SU athletics department that has undergone many changes over the past year. Previous director of athletics Daryl Gross stepped down in March, shortly after the NCAA released its report outlining infractions committed by SU. Coyle came to SU from Boise State University, where he also served as the athletics director. He was hired at Boise State three months after the NCAA sanctioned the Boise State Broncos.

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  • Kevin Quinn

Position: Senior Vice President for Public Affairs

Start of Role: May 2006

Salary: $255,368, according to SU’s 990 form for fiscal year 2014

Description: As the senior vice president for public affairs, Quinn serves as the spokesperson for the university. Prior to his role at SU, Quinn was the press secretary for former New York State Gov. George Pataki.

  • Lou Marcoccia

Position: Chief Financial Officer

Start of Role: June 2006

Salary: $612,326, according to SU’s 990 form for fiscal year 2014

Description: Marcoccia is in charge of all financial aspects of SU. The office he oversees is organized into 16 areas, such as the Office of Business, Finance and Administrative Services, the Office of Budget and Planning and the Office of Campus Planning, Design and Construction. Marcoccia served as SU’s senior vice president for business, finance and administrative services from July 1995 to June 2006.

  • Pete Sala 

Position: Vice President and Chief Facilities Officer

Start of Role: July 2015

Salary: Undisclosed

Description: Sala, who has served as the managing director of the Carrier Dome since 2010, oversees all operations of SU athletic facilities. He also oversees Campus Planning, Design and Construction, Business and Facilities Maintenance Services, Physical Plant, Housing and Food Services Maintenance and Energy Systems and Sustainability Management.

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  • Candace Campbell Jackson

Position: Chief of Staff for Chancellor Kent Syverud

Start of Role: July 2015

Salary: Undisclosed

Description: As Syverud’s Chief of Staff, Campbell Jackson is involved in decisions relating to SU. Campbell Jackson previously served as the vice president for student success and vice provost for academic success at the University of Akron before coming to SU.

  • Andy Gordon

Position: Chief Human Resources Officer

Start of Role: April 2015

Salary: Undisclosed

Description: As the Chief Human Resources Officer, Gordon oversees the services and programs for SU employees. He reports directly to Chancellor Kent Syverud. Gordon previously served as the Vice President for University Human Resources and Global Support at New York University.

  • Aysha Seedat

Position: Student Association President

Start of Role: Aug. 31, 2015

Salary: Student

Description: As Student Association President, Seedat serves as the student representative on many administrative committees and is in charge of SA, SU’s student government. Seedat’s vice president is Jane Hong.

For a breakdown of each individual dean, go here.





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