Chancellor (education)

A chancellor is a leader of a college or university, usually either the executive or ceremonial head of a university or of a campus within a university system.

In most Commonwealth and former Commonwealth nations, the chancellor is usually a ceremonial non-resident head of the university. In such institutions, the chief executive of a university is the vice-chancellor, who may carry an additional title such as "president" (e.g., "president and vice-chancellor"). The chancellor may serve as chairperson of the governing body; otherwise, this duty is held by a chairperson who may be known as a pro-chancellor.

In many countries, the administrative and educational head of the university is known as the president, principal or rector. In the United States, the head of a university is usually referred to as the university president, while the executive head of a specific campus within a multi-campus university system may have the title of chancellor and report to the overall system's president, although the titles are sometimes reversed.