Our Leadership

President Steve K. Stoute

President Stoute

Steve K. Stoute, JD, became the 25th president of Canisius University in July 2022. He is the first person of color to lead Canisius and one of the youngest presidents in the institution's history.

As president, Stoute oversees the region's premier Jesuit institution with a compelling vision for the future. He espouses servant-leadership and asserts that Canisius' Catholic, Jesuit and urban distinctions make the institution uniquely positioned to educate students who see the needs of their community, understand their responsibility to act and are prepared to address the various crises faced by our society.

The theme of his presidency calls upon the entire Canisius community to RISE: Renew its commitment to justice; Inspire a new generation of leaders who challenge the status quo; Serve every person with love; and Empower others to do the same.

Leadership

Under President Stoute's leadership, Canisius:

  • Launched the Canisius Buffalo Promise Scholarship (October 2024), which covers 100% of tuition for up to four years for eligible admitted students. Approximately 800 students will qualify for the scholarship in the fall 2025 pilot year, resulting in potential savings of more than $25 million in the first year alone.
  • Announced the creation of a new Student Success Center (July 2024) that integrates the Academic Achievement Team, Career Development Team, Student Accessibility Services Team, Canisius Cares program, and the Academic Mentoring Center to create a hub for students to access critical resources.
  • Established the Golden Griffin Guarantee (April 2024), promising students will complete their bachelor's degree in four years or receive up to 15 credit hours free, reinforcing the university's commitment to student success.
  • Introduced the President’s Innovation Fund (February 2024), a $1 million competitive grant program over five years designed to “unleash the power of innovation” by supporting original ideas and initiatives from faculty and staff that advance the university’s strategic agenda and achieve positive outcomes for students.  
  • Successfully petitioned the New York State Education Department Board of Regents for university designation.  The transition to Canisius University took place on August 1, 2023, alongside the launch of a new strategic plan and branding initiative.
  • Became the first institution in Western New York (and one of only two Jesuit institutions in the nation) to adopt a test-free policy for undergraduate admissions, significantly increasing access to a transformative education (March 2023). 

Recognitions

President Stoute has been widely recognized for his exemplary leadership, innovative approaches to higher education and commitment to community engagement.  As such, he has received numerous accolades, appointments and invitations to participate in high-profile panels and forums:  

  • In February 2025, President Stoute received the Black History Award from City of Buffalo Mayor Christopher Scanlon for his contributions to education and leadership within Buffalo and Western New York. 
  • President Stoute participated in the "Five Presidents Forum" at Loyola University New Orleans (February 2025), joining a discussion about the evolving landscape of Catholic higher education in America.
  • At a University of Toledo panel discussion (February 2025) discussing the cultural and economic impact of college sports, President Stoute shared a critique of contemporary collegiate sports, warning that fundamental educational values are being eroded by increasing commercialization.  He served on the panel alongside former NFL quarterback Andrew Luck and former NFL kicker Nick Lowrey and drew from his experience as a former student-athlete, university president, and NCAA staff member.
  • President Stoute was named to Buffalo Business First's "Power 100 Business Leaders of Color" (2024) for the third consecutive year, ranking No. 18 on the prestigious list. He was also named to Business First's "Power 250" list that same year. 
  • He has been recognized among the 100 most influential faith leaders in New York State by City and State magazine. 
  • The Penn Carey Law Alumni Society presented President Stoute with its Young Alumni Award (2023). 
  • President Stoute was inducted into Alpha Sigma Nu, the Jesuit honor society (2023). 
  • His leadership has earned him appointments as co-chair of the Western New York Regional Economic Development Council and to the NCAA Committee on Women's Athletics. He also works on the Board for the Commission on Independent College & Universities (CICU), which represents the interests of private higher education institutions in New York State.

Background

President Stoute arrived at Canisius from DePaul University in Chicago, IL, where he was vice president for strategic initiatives and chief of staff. In these roles, he served as the university president's senior advisor, facilitating the implementation of the university's strategic plan, leading transformative institutional projects, and serving as liaison to the Board of Trustees.

He holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from Seton Hall University, a master's degree in exercise and sport science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a Juris Doctor from the University of Pennsylvania Law School.