Laura Syer

Laura Syer assumed the position of Vice President for Budget and Planning at Cornell University in August 2021 reporting jointly to the Provost and to the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. She serves as the senior administrator responsible for managing Cornell’s resources and the annual budgeting process. Syer provides leadership in applying university resources to meet Cornell’s institutional priorities and academic programming needs through financial and capital planning processes, administrative and academic reviews, and by providing information and research to support decision making and strategic planning. Her specific areas of responsibility also include institutional research and planning, operating and capital budget development, and space use planning.

Laura joined the Cornell community in 2012, where in her most recent role prior to the Division of Planning and Budget, she held the position of Associate Dean for Finance and Administration at the SC Johnson College of Business. For 6+ years, Syer provided leadership to the College’s administrative units in Finance, Human Resources, IT, Facilities, and Academic Support while supporting the academic mission of the School. In her role on the College Leadership Team, she also supported the organizations long range planning efforts for the College under the direction of the Dean. Syer held a prior management role in the Division of Budget and Planning at Cornell.

In addition to her primary role at Cornell, Laura serves on three boards supporting the local and regional communities, Cornell University Veterinary Specialists, The Friends of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the Arnot Realty Corporation.

Before Cornell, she worked in International Finance at ESPN under the Walt Disney Company where, in her last management role, she was responsible for financial reporting for ESPN entities in South America, Central America, Mexico and the Deportes TV Network.

Syer holds a BA from Ohio University, an MS from Canisius College, an MBA from Quinnipiac University in Connecticut and an MS from INSEAD (Fontainebleau, France)