Sylvia Manning, PhD

Sylvia Manning, PhD

Interim Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Interim Provost

Sylvia Manning, PhD came to Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science as Interim Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Interim Provost after several decades of experience in academic administration. Most recently, she served as Interim President of Western University of Health Sciences, as Interim President of Shepherd University in West Virginia, and as President of the Higher Learning Commission, the largest of the six regional accreditors. 

Previously, she served as Executive Vice Provost for the University of Southern California, Vice President for Academic Affairs at the University of Illinois, and Chancellor at the University of Illinois at Chicago, where she focused on advancing the education of 25,000 diverse students, a rapidly expanding research portfolio, a full-spectrum healthcare enterprise, and extensive urban engagement. 

She has given testimony before the US House Committee on Education and Labor regarding higher education and a federal definition of the credit hour, and the US Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions regarding for-profit higher education. Dr. Manning has also presented expert testimony on accreditation in California and Maryland courts. She holds dual US and Canadian citizenship, a B.A. degree from McGill University, M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in English Language and Literature from Yale University, and honorary doctorates of humane letters from Northeastern University, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, and Western University of Health Sciences.