(DePaul University/Randall Spriggs)Canisius College has appointed Steve K. Stoute, JD, as its 25th president, effective July 1. Stoute has served as DePaul's chief of staff since June 2018 and vice president for strategic initiatives since July 2020.
Canisius College has appointed Steve K. Stoute, JD, as its 25th president. (DePaul University/Jeff Carrion)As chief of staff, Stoute's responsibilities include facilitating the implementation of DePaul's strategic plan, leading transformative institutional projects, as well as serving as administrative liaison to the Board of Trustees on key executive and strategic matters.
Founded in 1870, Canisius College is one of 27 Jesuit colleges in the nation and the premier private college in Western New York. Canisius prepares leaders to pursue and promote excellence in their professions, their communities and their service to humanity.
“As an immigrant and first-generation college student, I know firsthand what an impact a college education can have on a person's life. It has been an honor to work alongside my colleagues at DePaul University to provide that same life-changing experience to other students," Stoute says. “I am extremely grateful to Dr. Esteban and the Board of Trustees for the opportunity to have served the DePaul community."
Born and raised in Trinidad and Tobago, a dual-island Caribbean nation, Stoute immigrated to the United States in 2000 to attend Seton Hall University in New Jersey. At Seton Hall, he competed on the men's soccer team and graduated Magna cum Laude with a bachelor's in business administration. His interest in athletics led him to the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, where he completed a master's in exercise and sport science. After working for the University of Southern California and Princeton University, he decided to pursue a career in law. He earned a J.D. From the University of Pennsylvania Law School and joined Dechert LLP as a corporate and securities lawyer in 2014.
“I have known Steve almost the entire length of his professional career and first worked with him when he served as an alumni representative on Seton Hall University's Board of Regents. His passion always has been higher education and making a difference in the lives of students," DePaul President A. Gabriel Esteban says. “Canisius is gaining a highly accomplished and astute leader with a devout commitment to the Catholic mission. Jo and I are thrilled for Steve, Alison and their girls as they begin this next chapter in their lives."