Sylvia Maxfield

Sylvia Maxfield is an American business and higher education leader, currently serving as interim provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at Providence College in Providence, Rhode Island. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and government from Cornell University in 1980 and later attained a Ph.D. in political economy from Harvard University in 1988. Throughout her tenure, she oversaw the building of the Ryan Center for Business Studies.

Under Maxfield's leadership, the Providence College School of Business has sustained the AACSB accreditation and grown the enrollment of undergraduate and graduate business students.

Her research and experience focuses on the dynamics that govern how financial markets and institutions can best serve the public interest. She has authored and edited several books. In addition, she serves as a board member for the State Investment Commission of Rhode Island and for Berkshire Bank, where she chairs the Audit Committee.

Selected works