University of Ottawa appoints first female president in its 177 year history

The first woman to lead the University of Ottawa, Marie-Eve Sylvestre, speaks with CTV News Ottawa about her new role as president and vice-chancellor.

Marie-Eve Sylvestre will be the first woman to lead the University of Ottawa since its inception in 1848.

The university announced the appointment of Sylvestre as president and vice-chancellor Wednesday morning, succeeding Jacques Frémont.

Sylvestre joined the University of Ottawa as a professor in 2005 and has been the dean of the Faculty of Law, Civil Law Section since 2019.

“It’s a great honour and privilege to lead the institution that has been my home for 20 years,” Sylvestre said in a statement.

“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 earned a bachelor’s in law from the Université de Montréal and a master’s and SJD from Harvard University.

“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,” Jennifer Adams, chair of the uOttawa Board of Governors, said.

“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,”

Sylvestre was chosen by the uOttawa presidential selection committee, following an internal and external search for a new president, according to uOttawa.

Sylvestre will officially take over as president of the University of Ottawa on July 1, 2025.

Frémont has served as the 30th president and vice-chancellor of uOttawa since July 1, 2016.

According to the University of Ottawa, the president is the chief executive officer of the university, supervising and directing the university’s academic mission and its general administration. The president is also the university’s vice-chancellor.