When Sharon Owens ’85 arrived on Syracuse University’s campus in 1981, she imagined a future on Wall Street. But a summer internship at the Dunbar Center—working with youth and teens on Syracuse’s South Side—changed everything.
“That experience changed my life and led to relationships with people in this community that exist to this day,” Owens reflects.
More than four decades later, Owens is giving back to the city she credits with shaping her path. On Jan. 3, 2026, she was sworn in as the 55th mayor of the City of Syracuse, becoming the first African American and second woman to hold the office.
Finding Purpose at Syracuse
As an undergraduate student, Sharon (Daniels) Owens ’85 worked with youth and teens in Syracuse through the Dunbar Center—an experience she later said changed her life and redirected her path toward public service.
Owens has approached every chapter of her life with an athlete’s mindset. A four-sport athlete in high school, she came to Syracuse University to study economics and compete on the women’s track and field team.
“Sports have always been my north star—the internal compass that honed my competitive nature, self-discipline, and belief in the power of teamwork,” Owens says.
Owens competed on the women’s track and field team, winning Big East Conference individual championships in the long jump and triple jump.
Beyond her athletic success at Syracuse—including three Big East Conference championships, Olympic qualifying status in the women’s long jump, and induction into the Orange Plus Hall of Fame—Owens discovered a deep passion for public service.
“The Dunbar Center was seeking Syracuse University athletes to serve as interns during the summer months,” Owens recalls. “I’m sure they were expecting a football, basketball or lacrosse player—but they got a hardworking track athlete instead.”
The Dunbar Center works to improve quality of life, break cycles of poverty and promote racial equity through youth development programs and services for seniors. During her internship, Owens helped teens build social and leadership skills through educational programming—an experience that prompted her to reconsider her career ambitions.
“Financial stability is a critical element for the well-being of families, neighborhoods and the larger community,” Owens explains. “What that internship revealed—and what my experience in the nonprofit world reinforced—was a clear understanding of how economic policies and practices were bypassing large sections of our community.”
A Career in Service
During her mayoral campaign, Owens spoke with residents across the city, sharing her vision for equitable economic development and stronger neighborhoods.
After graduating from Syracuse University, Owens dedicated her career to nonprofit and community-based work, holding leadership roles with PEACE Inc., Jubilee Homes, Home HeadQuarters and Syracuse Community Connections at the Southwest Community Center.
“Each of these agencies provided opportunities to learn directly from the people of this great city and strengthened my enduring commitment to their well-being,” Owens says.
Through this work, she saw firsthand the impact that policy decisions could have on neighborhoods and families. That insight led her to City Hall, where she first served in Mayor Stephanie Miner’s administration as deputy commissioner of Neighborhood and Business Development and compliance officer for Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise. She later served as deputy mayor under Mayor Ben Walsh.
“In these roles, I was empowered to advance my desire to shape citywide policy and influence how residents and stakeholders live, work, conduct business and play,” Owens says.
Orange Ties at City Hall
Owens spoke at the 2025 Syracuse mayoral debate on the Syracuse University campus, outlining policy priorities shaped by decades of nonprofit leadership and service at City Hall.
After winning the 2025 mayoral election in a landslide—earning more than 70% of the vote—Owens is now leading the city with the same determination and collaborative spirit she developed as a Syracuse student-athlete.
Since her inauguration, she has assembled a leadership team that includes numerous Orange alumni, among them several in key positions: Chief Development Officer Eric Ennis G’14; Chief Strategy Officer Stephanie Pasquale ’94, G’97; Chief Information Officer Vincent Scipione ’17, G’20; and Senior Public Information Officer Sol Muñoz G’23.
Ennis first met Owens as an intern at City Hall. “Over the course of working together during the Walsh administration, I saw firsthand how Mayor Owens was a strong advocate for equitable economic development,” he says. Now serving as chief development officer, Ennis is focused on advancing the administration’s economic priorities. “Under Mayor Owens’ leadership, we have an opportunity to build stronger neighborhoods, support local businesses and entrepreneurs and ensure that Syracuse’s next chapter is one of shared prosperity.”
Chief Strategy Officer Stephanie Pasquale ’94, G’97 joins Owens at her inauguration.
As an undergraduate policy studies major at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs and later through the MPA program, Pasquale worked with numerous local organizations, including the Dunbar Center, Boys & Girls Clubs of Syracuse and Syracuse City School District. “I can confidently say I wouldn’t have made Syracuse my home after graduation if it weren’t for these opportunities to connect and fall in love with this community,” she reflects. Having known Owens for over 20 years, Pasquale praises her ability to bring people together for real solutions. “The mayor backs up her community- and person-centered vision with the knowledge, tenacity and strong decision-making to put plans into practice.”
Scipione credits the School of Information Studies with shaping his approach to technology in public service. “The iSchool doesn’t just teach technical skills—it cultivates a mindset for evaluating how technology integrates into organizations and communities,” he says. “I’m honored to be part of Mayor Owens’ historic administration and deeply appreciative of her trust in me to help enable her vision for the city through strategic technology leadership. Doing this work for the community where I live, was educated and have built my life makes this the most meaningful chapter of my career.”
For Muñoz, earning a master’s in entrepreneurship and emerging enterprises and a D’Aniello internship with the WISE Women’s Business Center paved her path into public service. “Working with WISE gave me a deep appreciation for the resilience and innovation of women entrepreneurs in our community,” she says. “I saw firsthand how small businesses shape neighborhoods and how access to resources can transform lives.” When she met Owens three and a half years ago, Muñoz was immediately struck by her leadership style. “She has an incredible ability to listen intently while also leading with confidence, never apologizing for making bold decisions that move the city forward.”
From track meets and internships to nonprofits and City Hall, Owens’ connection to Syracuse runs deep. As she begins this new chapter, she remains guided by a vision rooted in opportunity and equity.
“I’ve long recognized the potential of this city,” Owens says. “And I will continue to fiercely stand for and with Syracuse.”
