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Overview

CMU President Robert O. Davies announced his intention to step down December 31, 2024. The Central Michigan University Board of Trustees has announced the start of a national search for the university's 16th president.

Central Michigan University is a nationally ranked institution that fosters the transformative power of advanced learning while embracing a sense of community among our students, faculty, staff and more than 225,000 alumni around the world. From our roots as a teachers' college established in 1892, CMU has grown to offer nationally acclaimed programs in areas ranging from the health professions and engineering, to business and communications, and science and technology.

Seeking community input

The Board of Trustees invites students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors, partners and community members to share their thoughts as we begin the search for CMU's next president. 

In April, the Search Advisory Committee will host virtual listening sessions for university stakeholders to provide input regarding preferences for required experience, values and priorities, as well as the characteristics most important for the next leader. Please join us for one of the following virtual sessions:

Tuesday, April 2, 2024

Wednesday, April 10, 2024

Individuals who are unable to attend a listening session are welcome to share their thoughts by completing this online form. Please note the online form will close at the end of the day Tuesday, April 16, 2024.

To nominate a candidate for consideration by the search advisory committee, please send an email to CMUPresident@wittkieffer.com. Be sure to include:

  • The recommended candidate's name
  • Email address
  • Phone number

Presidential Search Advisory Committee

The national search for CMU's 16th president will be led by a search advisory committee, which is tasked with recruiting, screening and engaging prospective candidates. At the February 6 meeting of the CMU Board of Trustees, Trustees approved procedures for the selection of a president, including an expansion of the search advisory committee to ensure representation from all key university stakeholder groups.

Denise Williams Mallett, vice chair of the CMU Board of Trustees, will lead the presidential search effort. Other members of the search advisory committee representing faculty, students, staff, alumni, donors and the community are:

  • Trustee Todd Regis, Chair, CMU Board of Trustees
  • Trustee Todd Anson, CMU Board of Trustees
  • Trustee Sharon Heath, CMU Board of Trustees
  • Tangela Cheatham, deputy athletic director, CMU Athletics
  • Tracy Davis, Chair, Academic Senate; faculty member, Department of English Language and Literature
  • Todd Fridline, representative, Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe
  • Deb Gross, executive secretary, Registrar's office; President, CMU Office Professionals Local 6888 (UAW)
  • Mary Moran Hill, vice president, Finance and Administrative Services
  • Nick Hussein, faculty member, Department of Marketing, Hospitality and Logistics
  • Stephen Juris, Chair-Elect, Academic Senate; faculty member, Department of Biology
  • Shana Kingma, graduate student, CMU Innovation and Online
  • John Kulhavi, CMU alumnus and Trustee Emeritus
  • Paula Lancaster, Dean, College of Education and Human Services
  • Stephanie Mathson, faculty member, education librarian and coordinator, Library Research & Instruction Services
  • Scott Nadeau, President, CMU Alumni Association
  • Amy Perschbacher, Mayor, Mount Pleasant, Michigan
  • Penny Queller, CMU alumna and supporter
  • Cedric Taylor, faculty member, School of Politics, Society, Justice and Public Service
  • Tyler Zimmerman, President, CMU Student Government Association

The search advisory committee will participate in listening sessions with university stakeholder groups to gain insight and perspective into the needs of the university community and to understand the key characteristics, qualifications and experiences necessary for CMU's next president. 

Search process and timeline

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President Davies announces decision to step down

by Ari Harris

After nearly six years of service and leadership, Central Michigan University President Robert O. Davies has announced his plans to step down on December 31, 2024. In his letter to the university community, Davies said he hoped to provide the CMU Board of Trustees time to search for CMU’s next president.

“The work we have done together fills me with pride, and we have a great deal of work remaining ahead of us,” Davies said. “I look forward to our continued partnership over the next 11 months. Please be assured that I will remain an active, engaged and enthusiastic proponent of this work in my final year as president.”

Davies said he is stepping down for personal and professional reasons. Todd Regis, Chair of the CMU Board of Trustees, said the Board had accepted Davies’ resignation. 

“The Board thanks Dr. Davies for nearly six years of service to CMU and for his willingness to continue leading this institution this year. He is committed to executing the new strategic plan approved by the Board of Trustees,” Regis said.

During Davies’ tenure, CMU achieved numerous milestones. 

“Since my arrival at CMU in the fall of 2018, I have often marveled at the magnitude of passion, encouragement and support that you have offered to our university community. With your support, our university has achieved remarkable things,” Davies wrote.

The university’s recent achievements include:

Throughout his tenure, Davies has been recognized for his commitment to student success.

“I am so proud of the roles we each have played to ensure every Central Michigan University student had the opportunity to feel welcome, seen and supported, and successful within our community,” Davies wrote. “More than anything, I feel proud of their achievements, their successes, and the impact they continue to have wherever they go.”

Regis said the Board of Trustees would soon begin the process to search for CMU’s 16th president by forming a search advisory committee and hiring a recognized search firm to assist in a comprehensive national search. 

“In the spirit of Shared Governance, the Board of Trustees will ensure that the search process includes opportunities for students, faculty, staff, alumni, supporters, community members and partners to participate,” Regis said.

Board Chair Regis will communicate plans for the search as they develop.