The University of Michigan had recently celebrated Kent Syverud’s selection to serve as its next president. But last week, Syverud described that he wasn’t feeling well and sought care at Crouse Hospital in Syracuse. The doctors conducted several evaluations, and Syverud later traveled to Michigan for an additional assessment. There, the doctors told him the tragic news that he had a form of brain cancer.

Syverud has announced that he will vacate the presidency to focus on his treatment, and the university has named an interim president for the time being. Considering the shocking events, here are all the details we know about Syverud’s diagnosis and the new Michigan president.

What kind of brain cancer has Kent Syverud been diagnosed with, and how serious is his condition?

Kent Syverud is a celebrated American legal scholar and has also served as the 12th chancellor and president of Syracuse University. He ended his Syracuse tenure in April 2026 and was elected as the incoming 16th president of Michigan, a role he would have served starting July 1, 2026. Syverud hasn’t yet opened up about the form of brain cancer he has. But he has still provided some details on the diagnosis.

“I have been diagnosed with a form of brain cancer,” Syverud said in a statement. “I am currently undergoing treatment at the University of Michigan…I am aware that I am one of many, many people who face a diagnosis like this — people who show up each day with courage. And I take inspiration from all of them. I want you to know that I am ready to meet this challenge.

“I am approaching this with optimism, with determination, and with full confidence in the people who are caring for me. And I believe in the road ahead, and I intend to walk it with everything I have.”

Apart from that, Syverud has also not yet disclosed the stage of cancer he is in. Nevertheless, most patients go through a maximal safe resection that involves brain surgery followed by radiation or chemotherapy. The initial recovery timeline in such events ranges anywhere from 3-9 months, while full recovery can take up to one year.

What happens next in Michigan’s presidential search, and who will serve as Michigan’s president now?

Syverud has made it clear that his “diagnosis and treatment will prevent” him from serving as Michigan’s 16th president. But the program has still decided to invite him as a contributing professor in the Law School, apart from his role as a special advisor to the Board of Regents. Syverud has a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University, along with a Juris Doctor and a Master of Arts in economics from the University of Michigan.

In Syverud’s absence, Michigan’s board of regents has appointed Domenico Grasso as the interim president until they appoint a full-time president. Grasso is an American environmental engineer and was serving as the 6th Chancellor of the University of Michigan, Dearborn from 2018 to 2025. He has a Ph.D in environmental engineering from the University of Michigan. While Grasso serves as an interim president, the board of regents has made it clear about their search for a new president.

“The board plans to re-engage a search process as soon as possible. We will share details about this in the coming days,” the board of regents said in a statement. “We have no doubt that outstanding candidates will seek an opportunity to lead our great university because, as Kent said earlier this year, ‘Michigan has been, is now, and must remain the best public research university anywhere.”

After his Dearborn stint, Grasso was in Ann Arbor, serving as Michigan’s interim president from May 8, 2025, after the previous president, Santa Ono’s resignation. He has long indicated that he would retire once the new president takes charge, but his plans have been delayed after Syverud’s unexpected cancer diagnosis. He was reportedly getting a $1.3 million salary last year and will likely remain on the same salary this year.

How has Michigan helped Kent Syverud after his cancer diagnosis?

Syverud plans to undergo his cancer treatment at Michigan’s Crouse Hospital, and he said he will be in “excellent hands” there. He is a long-time Michigan loyal and has also contributed between $5,000 to $10,000 to Michigan in June 2008 and in 2015. Apart from the Michigan role, Syverud also served as the chair of the ACC Board of Directors during the 2020 season. Now, Michigan is supporting him with all resources, wishing him a speedy recovery.

“Our first priority is helping Kent and his family address this challenge. And we will do so with every resource we have,” Mark J. Bernstein, Chair of the Board of Regents, said in a statement. “Kent will serve as a Professor of Law at our Law School and a special advisor to the board – because we want him to have every opportunity to serve our university, even under these difficult circumstances. Today, our thoughts and prayers are with Kent, his family, and those who care for them.”

Syverud has deep connections with Michigan and also served as the dean of its Law School from 1995 to 1997. Naturally, he knows the program inside out, and even in his recovery, UM can lean on his wisdom and the varied expertise he has in several fields. Hopefully, he will rebound and get back to serving Michigan as he has always done.