Interim vice president for Research and Innovation Bradley Swanson to retire

Central Michigan University Provost Paula Lancaster announced that Bradley J. Swanson, Ph.D., who has served as the university’s interim vice president for Research and Innovation since April 1, 2024, will retire on August 1, 2026. As interim vice president, Swanson continues to support the university’s research mission and expand opportunities for collaboration and innovation across campus.

"Brad Swanson’s dedication to CMU and his unwavering commitment to advancing research, innovation, and student success have left a lasting impact on our institution," said Provost Lancaster. "His collaborative leadership and passion for supporting faculty across disciplines have strengthened our research enterprise and created new opportunities for discovery. We are deeply grateful for his service and wish him continued success in his next role."

Swanson, a professor of biology, brings more than 25 years of experience at CMU as a scholar, teacher and academic leader. He reports to university leadership and oversees research development, faculty support, and innovation initiatives across the institution.

He earned a Bachelor of Science in biology from the University of Michigan, a Master of Science in zoology from the University of Idaho and a doctorate in biology from Purdue University.

Swanson’s research focuses on conservation genetics, wildlife forensics, and population ecology. He has produced 46 peer-reviewed publications and delivered more than 100 presentations at national and international conferences, supported by more than $1.2 million in grant funding.

Throughout his career, Swanson has held numerous leadership roles, including chair of the Academic Senate, director of graduate studies, and director of both the neuroscience and environmental studies programs.

In his administrative work, Swanson has championed equitable support for students and faculty across disciplines. He redesigned student funding programs to promote parity between STEM and non-STEM fields and launched grant-writing initiatives for faculty in the humanities and social sciences.

He has mentored dozens of students, serving as advisor for 42 master’s thesis students and supervising 56 undergraduate researchers, many of whom have pursued advanced degrees or careers in federal and state agencies.

Swanson has received all four of CMU’s major faculty awards: the Teaching Excellence Award, the Provost’s Award for Outstanding Research, the President’s Award for Outstanding Research and the Faculty Distinguished Service Award.

Upon his retirement, Swanson will join Oakland University as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.