NEWS

CMU Board focuses on student support, connection and belonging

Trustees welcome student leaders for 2026-2027 academic year

During its meetings this week, the Central Michigan University Board of Trustees received updates on numerous initiatives designed to foster student connection, community and belonging. They also received updates on enrollment, academic programs, and campus projects.

During the seven committee meetings Wednesday and the formal session Thursday, Trustees heard updates on numerous student-centered initiatives designed to foster a sense of belonging among students. These included:

New low-commitment, high-impact offerings from the CMU Program Board
New events and activities hosted by the Student Government Association, including “pop out” visits to registered student organizations
Cohort-building activities at the Beaver Island Biological Station
Expansion of the CARES program to promote student well-being
Implementation of the COMPASS program’s peer support training

Trustees also discussed the university’s financial position, accreditation efforts, and more.

Engagement and Belonging

Trustee Sharon Heath, who chairs the Academic and Student Affairs committee, said efforts underway in both the Academic Affairs Division and the University Engagement and Student Affairs Division are already having a positive impact on student success.

“Participation in cocurricular and extracurricular activities increased this year, which supports higher retention, student success and a sense of belonging, while reducing mental health challenges such as loneliness, depression, stress and anxiety,” Heath said.

Students who participated in the committee meetings highlighted ongoing programs, events and activities that bring students together and help them find mentors and friends.

Program Board President Kendall Fowler said the organization is emphasizing building a welcoming and inclusive campus.

“This year we brought Program Board events back into residence halls. We want to meet students where they are,” Fowler said. “We are programming in ways that help students and we are trying to find ways to reach our students, which is most important.”

Biology Junior Mallory Morrison spoke about her experiences at the CMU Biological Station on Beaver Island and said the three courses she took at the station were the best experiences of her time at CMU.

“Some of the closest friends I have are from those classes because you’re living together, eating together and in class together. You’re together all the time and those bonds are so strong – it’s amazing,” Morrison said.

A strong, sustainable CMU

Chair Denise Williams Mallett started the formal session on Thursday by reinforcing the board’s commitment to strengthen CMU and its future.

“Our work is not defined by any single perspective,” Mallett said. “We’re here collectively, committed to accountability, innovation and the long-term success of our students and this institution.”

This sentiment was echoed by Trustee Ed Plawecki, chair of the Finance and Facilities committee, who opened his report with optimism for the future.

“I can assure you we have taken the necessary steps to keep the university fiscally sound with an excellent credit rating and bond rating,” Plawecki said. “Steps are being taken by the president, administration and board to not only keep CMU fiscally sound, but to increase domestic enrollment.”

Enrollment update

Trustee Regine Beauboeuf provided an update on the activity of the Enrollment, Retention and Student Success Committee during Wednesday’s meeting.

Beauboeuf said a decline in international student enrollment is responsible for an overall enrollment decline university-wide, but noted that CMU continues to see positive signs for domestic enrollment.

She also outlined efforts to enroll more students from CMU authorized charter schools including initiatives like Experience CMU events, increased scholarship programs, and the Charter to CMU program.

“We would really like to see Central Michigan University become the school of choice for many of the students who graduate from our charter schools,” Beauboeuf said.

The committee is also exploring ways to bolster community college partnerships that support student transfers to CMU.

Jennifer DeHaemers, vice president of Student Recruitment and Retention, updated Trustees on progress underway on CMU’s Strategic Enrollment Management plan. She said there are now 34 initiatives designed to increase student enrollment and retention in the university’s Strategic Enrollment Management plan. Of those initiatives, five have been completed, and the plan is on track to meet its established goals and deadlines.

Celebrating students, faculty and staff

CMU President Neil MacKinnon used his report to the Board to celebrate the many achievements of CMU students, faculty and programs during the last semester.

MacKinnon highlighted recent events, including the Student Creative and Research Endeavors Exhibition, Community Legacy Ball, Threads Fashion Show and the New Venture Challenge competition, that he feels capture the Fired-Up spirit of the CMU community.

The president also congratulated contestants and organizers of the Black Girls Rock pageant, including newly crowned Miss Black Girls Rock 2026, Whitney Patterson. Patterson was joined at the meeting by executive board members Jayla Turner, Kennedy Butler, Madison Mizel and Trinity Finch.

MacKinnon also congratulated three CMU students who secured prestigious national scholarships and acknowledged faculty excellence:

Jacob Dengate, a first-generation CMU meteorology student, was selected for a Goldwater Scholarship. The Goldwater Foundation supports college sophomores and juniors who demonstrate strong potential to join the next generation of leaders in STEM research.
Lelaina Beauregard, a senior majoring in Math and German, was selected to receive a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant award. She will use her Fulbright grant to travel to Germany to teach English.
Ethan Conley, a CMU senior in the Honors Program majoring in International Relations and German, was awarded the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals Fellowship.
Faculty member Ian Mull in the Department of Fashion, Interior Design and Merchandising, who was recognized as a Distinguished Professor of the Year by the Michigan Association of State Universities.

MacKinnon also celebrated the newly released U.S. News and World Report for Graduate Medical Schools rankings, which put CMU among the top institutions in the country for making an impact in rural and underserved regions.

“The increased rankings are a testament to the fact that our graduates are living our mission and making a commitment to serving vulnerable populations in designated health professional shortage areas,” MacKinnon said.

Finally, MacKinnon closed his report to the Board of Trustees by offering early congratulations to May graduates.

“CMU graduates are the living embodiment of our mission, proving that when you provide a clear path to success, our students not only walk it; they lead the way,” he said.

He said CMU takes pride in its status as an Opportunity University, offering affordable access to a high-impact education that yields great career outcomes, which is a terrific return on investment for students and their families.

CMU Change Roadmap

Last year, the Board of Trustees charged CMU to develop a framework, or change roadmap, to effectively implement many significant organizational changes necessary to set a course for future success.

Those changes include initiatives in the Strategic Enrollment Management plan, the Online Transition Project, replacement of CMU’s Enterprise Resource Planning system, and the ongoing implementation of the 2023-2028 Strategic Plan.

MacKinnon said the University Transformation Office has developed a roadmap, with input from hundreds of university community partners, that provides an operational framework for how CMU prioritizes, implements and sustains complex change.

“The roadmap defines what the university will focus on changing over time and why those changes matter,” MacKinnon said. “It ensures CMU is focusing on the right work at the right time without overextending the institution.”

The Change Roadmap will be enabled through an implementation plan that will outline how specific changes will be achieved through timelines, tasks, milestones and roles.

“I want to acknowledge the great work that’s being done with the CMU Change Roadmap,” Chair Mallett said. “It provides a thoughtful framework, reflects the complexity of this amazing university and it’s going to align with our mission.”

Summer projects and maintenance

During the Finance and Facilities committee meeting, Director of University Engineering and Planning Andy Reihl provided an update on deferred maintenance and upcoming renovation projects.

Reihl said CMU has 61 summer construction projects planned, including the completion of work in Ronan Hall, College of Business Administration building renovations, and housing enhancements in Merrill Hall.

In addition, $5.7 million in deferred maintenance project work is scheduled or underway on campus facilities and infrastructure, Reihl said.

New Committee reports

Trustee David McGhee, chair of the Access, Belonging and Community Impact Committee, described the charge of the newly formed committee, which has not yet held its first meeting. McGhee said the committee supports the university’s commitment to educational access, campus climate, employee well-being, student belonging, community partnerships and culturally responsive leadership.

“This committee will be focused on fostering a culturally responsive environment,” McGhee said. “We recognize that it’s not just something that’s nice to do, but something that’s actually necessary to do.”

In a meeting of the newly formed Athletics Affairs Committee, Trustee Todd Regis explained the committee’s focus on areas including student-athlete success, Athletics’ financial stability, compliance indicators and the impact of Athletics on university enrollment and brand.

“I am looking forward to updates from the Athletics Affairs Committee, and the education around college athletics,” Chair Mallett said. “I think it’s going to be important for all of us in this ever-changing environment.”

Student leadership transitions

Trustees heard presentations from several student leaders in the meeting of the Trustees-Student Liaison Committee. Student Government Association President Akua Acheampong and Vice President Kathryn House offered a report on SGA activities. Program Board President Kendall Fowler and Residence Housing Association President Max Fusaro also provided updates from their organizations.

Trustees also welcomed incoming leaders of the student organizations for the 2026-2027 academic year:

Program Board President London Hill
Student Government Association President Zainab Naaz
Student Government Association Vice President Fatima Malik
Residence Housing Association President Nova Bhuyan

Other Board business and consent agenda

In other Board actions, Trustees authorized the next step in the design and construction of the CMU MyMichigan Health Medical Education Building in Saginaw by authorizing negotiation of a contract with a lead construction manager.

Additionally, the Board set 2027-2028 tuition rates for the Covenant HealthCare College of Medicine at CMU. Tuition for first-year medical students from Michigan will be $53,430, with years two through four set at $50,430. First year out-of-state medical students will pay $77,919, with years two through four set at $74,919.

Trustees approved several other items on the consent agenda during formal session, including:

Prospective Spring 2026 graduates
Honorary degrees for May commencement speakers
Public school academy changes
Emeritus rank for 19 faculty and staff members
Broomfield Road real estate trade and easement
Advancement’s private support report
Endowment, awards and scholarships

An electronic copy of the president’s report will soon be available on the Board of Trustees webpage, and meeting minutes will be added to the Board of Trustees webpage following their approval at the next scheduled meeting in June.

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