Nancy Cantor

Nancy Cantor at Syracuse University Graduation Ceremony in 2006

Nancy Cantor is an American psychologist and academic administrator. She is known for her work in social psychology, particularly in the areas of personality psychology and cognitive psychology. Cantor has held several prominent positions in higher education, including serving as the Chancellor of Syracuse University and the Chancellor of Rutgers University–Newark.

Early Life and Education

Cantor was born in New York City. She earned her B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College and her Ph.D. in psychology from Stanford University.

Academic Career

Cantor began her academic career as a faculty member at the University of Michigan, where she became a prominent figure in the field of social psychology. Her research has focused on how individuals perceive and interpret their social worlds, and how these perceptions influence their behavior and personality.

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Cantor served as the Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. During her tenure, she was instrumental in advancing the university's academic mission and fostering interdisciplinary research.

Syracuse University

In 2004, Cantor became the Chancellor and President of Syracuse University. Her leadership at Syracuse was marked by a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and community engagement. She launched the "Scholarship in Action" initiative, which aimed to integrate the university's academic resources with the needs of the local community.

Rutgers University–Newark

Cantor was appointed Chancellor of Rutgers University–Newark in 2014. At Rutgers, she continued her focus on social justice and community engagement, working to strengthen the university's ties with the Newark community and promote access to higher education for underrepresented groups.

Research and Contributions

Cantor's research has made significant contributions to the understanding of social cognition, self-regulation, and goal-setting. She has published numerous articles and books on these topics, and her work has been widely cited in the field of psychology.

Awards and Honors

Cantor has received several awards and honors for her contributions to psychology and higher education, including election to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the National Academy of Medicine.

Personal Life

Cantor is married to Steven Brechin, a sociologist and professor at Rutgers University. They have two children.

See Also

• Social psychology
• Cognitive psychology
• Syracuse University
• Rutgers University–Newark