Marie-Eve Sylvestre has been named the 31st president and vice-chancellor of the University of Ottawa and is the first woman to hold the position since the university’s inception in 1848.
“It’s a great honour and privilege to lead the institution that has been my home for 20 years,” said Sylvestre in a news release Wednesday. “Walking on our main campus every day, I’m struck by how far we’ve come as a community. Together, we have transformed this university into one of the top five research-intensive universities in Canada, one that attracts students and researchers from 150 countries to the very heart of our nation’s capital.”
Sylvestre joined the University of Ottawa as a professor in 2005 after earning a bachelor’s in law from the Université de Montréal and a master’s and SJD from Harvard University, where she was a Frank Knox Memorial Foundation fellow. She has been the dean of the faculty of law, civil law section, since 2019. Her research focuses on criminal law and practices that have a discriminatory impact on marginalized populations, according to the release.
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“Professor Sylvestre began her career at the University of Ottawa in 2005 and brings a deep commitment to the institution, a distinguished record as a researcher in law, and valuable experience on international committees. Her dedication to forging new partnerships, developing innovative programs for students, and, above all, her collaborative and relationship-driven leadership style will serve the University well as we continue to grow as a hub of innovation, research, and lifelong learning,” said Jennifer Adams, chair of the board of governors of the university.
The appointment was approved by the board on June 3 and Sylvestre will take over from current president and vice-chancellor Jacques Frémont on July 1, 2025 for a five-year term.
“We are eager to partner with governments, community groups, international organizations and the private sector to meet the greatest societal challenges of our time — climate change and the Arctic, international trade, housing, food insecurity, democracy and governance — as well as advancing technology, including quantum and AI, and shaping the future of health care,” Sylvestre said.
