Interim head of research and innovation appointed as Western plans search in fall

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Western Michigan University's Board of Trustees approved the appointment of administrator and faculty member Dr. Steven Carr as interim vice president for the Office of Research and Innovation. He replaces Dr. Terri Goss Kinzy, who starts her new role as Illinois State University president on July 1.

The University will be launching a national search to secure a permanent leader for this position. A search firm will be selected in the coming weeks, and a search committee will be assembled in the fall.

"We are deeply grateful for the numerous accomplishments in improving our research administration and faculty support infrastructure, increased funding for and collaboration in the use of equipment, and growth in the level and breadth of funded research the University experienced under Dr. Kinzy's leadership. We wish her every success as ISU's president," says WMU President Edward Montgomery. "Dr. Carr is an experienced academic leader and researcher and will continue ORI's strong trajectory, leading an office that supports faculty, staff and student research."

Carr currently serves as chair of the Department of Computer Science and interim chair of the Department of Engineering Design, Manufacturing and Management—roles that will conclude for him in the coming weeks as replacements are appointed.

He came to Western in 2012 as professor and chair of computer science. He was previously a faculty member and chair of computer science at Michigan Technological University, where he had been employed since 1993. He earned his doctoral and master's degrees in computer science from Rice University and a bachelor's degree in computer science from Michigan Tech.

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