MacKinnon taps new Chief of Staff

Central Michigan University President Neil MacKinnon today announced he has appointed Erica Peters to serve as Chief of Staff to the President. The search for the position was announced in July following a change in roles on the President’s Cabinet.

“As a two-time CMU graduate who has held leadership roles in several offices, Erica brings a wealth of higher education experience and a deep understanding of CMU to the Chief of Staff role,” MacKinnon said. “She is passionate about our mission and has developed strong relationships university-wide. I am looking forward to working with Erica to advance the numerous initiatives underway at CMU.” 

As chief of staff to the president, Peters will act as a liaison between the president and various university stakeholders, manage the Office of the President and its personnel, and collaborate with members of the President’s Cabinet and other university leaders to advance the president’s priorities and agendas.

“I look forward to continuing my journey here at CMU and leveraging my experience, expertise and commitment to excellence to support President MacKinnon, lead the Office of the President, and contribute to the university's continued success and positive impact with the communities we serve,” Peters said.

Peters currently serves as executive assistant to the provost, a position she has held since 2021. In that role, she oversees the daily operations of the Office of the Provost, which includes driving internal and external communications; leading collaborative initiatives; supporting strategic planning efforts; coordinating the hiring and onboarding of new academic leaders; and serving as a liaison between the provost and numerous campus partners.

She also previously served as the CMU student ombudsperson, providing coaching, counseling and connection services to students, faculty and staff, and as a program administrator and enrollment specialist with CMU’s Global Campus. Before joining CMU’s staff team, Peters worked as an academic and enrollment counselor at the University of Phoenix.

Peters earned both a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and a master’s degree in higher education from CMU, as well as a master’s degree in psychology from the University of Phoenix. She will step into her new role as chief of staff to the president effective November 1, 2025.