WMU Presidential Search

Western Michigan University's Main Campus, featuring the WMU seal sculpture, student center and Sangren Hall.

The Western Michigan University Board of Trustees has initiated a search for the University's 10th president, who is expected to assume the role in July 2025. The search process will engage the WMU community and local stakeholders to participate and provide meaningful feedback during the process to identify WMU's next leader. The Board of Trustees will make the final selection.

Board of Trustees
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5219 USA
(269) 387-2360


Dear WMU community,

We have begun the process to identify Western Michigan University’s 10th president, who will guide WMU in our next era of excellence.

Led by Trustees James L. Liggins Jr. and Kara Wood, a Presidential Search Advisory Committee composed of students, faculty, staff and external stakeholders has been formed to assist the Board of Trustees in this crucial endeavor. 

While the board is responsible for managing the search process and ultimately selecting the University's president, we value and seek the perspectives of our multiple stakeholders to inform our decision.

As we navigate this search for Western’s next visionary leader, who is expected to begin their role in July 2025, we will continue our momentum as a campus committed to holistic, experience-driven learning and upholding our institution’s motto, "So that all may learn."

Thank you for your support and dedication as we embark on this journey together.

Warm regards,

Shelly Edgerton
WMU Board of Trustees Chair
 

Presidential Search Advisory Committee

The Presidential Search Advisory Committee, which is co-chaired by trustees James Liggins Jr. and Kara Wood, is composed of colleagues from across Western's campuses, along with two individuals from the broader community who have deep ties to WMU. They will participate in the search process and provide input to the board.

Meet the search advisory committee members

Jim Culhane, Director of Principal Gifts, Senior Associate Athletic Director, University Advancement and Intercollegiate Athletics

Paula M. Davis, Associate Vice President for Strategic Communications, Office of Marketing and Strategic Communications

Jason DeGeorge, Chair, College of Aviation

Dr. Jim DeMello, Professor and Chair, Department of Finance and Commercial Law, Haworth College of Business

Dr. Laura Dinehart, Dean, College of Education and Human Development

Greg Dobson, Chief Operating Officer and Principal, AVB; WMU Alumni Association Board of Directors

Sherrie Fuller, Specialist of Diversity Education, Office of Diversity and Inclusion

Dr. Deveta Gardner, Associate Dean, Merze Tate College

Monique Haley, Associate Professor, Department of Dance, School of Theatre and Dance, College of Fine Arts

Dr. Brian Horvitz, Professor, Educational Leadership, Research and Technology, College of Education and Human Development

Alex Kasprzyk, President, Western Student Association

Dr. Kristina Lemmer, Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences

Larry Lueth, Chairman of the Board, First National Bank of Michigan; WMU Foundation President

Jocelyn Medina, President, Graduate Student Association

Dr. Amy Naugle, Professor, Psychology, College of Arts and Sciences; Faculty Senate President

Dr. Reetha Raveendran, Associate Vice President and Dean of Students, Division of Student Affairs

Dr. Malia Roberts, Interim Senior Director of Graduate College Enrollment, Graduate College

Dr. Alex Santos, Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Programs, College of Health and Human Services

Dr. Remzi Seker, Vice President for Research and Innovation

Keanah Smith, Senior Associate Athletic Director, Intercollegiate Athletics

Bryan Sutton, Environmental Control Person, Facilities Management

Sara Volmering, Marketing Manager, University Libraries

Dr. Ying Zeng, Interim Associate Provost for Global Education, Director of Asian Initiatives, Haenicke Institute for Global Education

The Western Michigan University (WMU) Board of Trustees (BOT) authorizes the Presidential Search Advisory Committee (PSAC) to conduct the critical work leading to the board’s selection of WMU’s tenth president. PSAC is advisory focused and does not hold delegated authority. 

  • The BOT will develop a Presidential Profile and retains Storbeck Search | DSG to assist throughout the search process. 
  • The BOT maintains responsibility to facilitate all matters related to the presidential search including decision points and communications. This authority will be facilitated through the PSAC Co-Chairs. 
  • PSAC will engage stakeholder interest and gather perspective during campus listening sessions. 
  • PSAC will steward search related communications to stakeholder groups as delegated by PSAC Co-Chairs. 
  • PSAC will work with Storbeck to energize recruitment and vetting of a diversified pool of qualified candidates. 
  • PSAC Co-Chairs will select strategic subsets of the larger PSAC to focus assistance on the different stages of the search. Stages may include a first round of confidential virtual interviews, a second round of confidential airport interviews, and a final campus visit where finalists will be interviewed exclusively by the BOT. 
  • PSAC will assist with staged winnowing of the candidate pool from initial material review through the second round interviews to result in 2-3 nonranked finalists for BOT consideration during the final stage. 
  • The BOT will conduct further due diligence to fulfill their decision-making responsibility. 
  • Confidentiality is critical throughout the search process and PSAC is expected to champion this. 
  • Following the BOT’s selection of the next president, PSAC is asked to align in support and collaborate on ensuring a successful presidential transition. 

The BOT is grateful to PSAC for their dedication and effort on behalf WMU. 

Events

Listening sessions

The Presidential Search Advisory Committee invites the campus community to articulate the qualities you would like to see in the next president. All listening sessions will take place in the WMU Student Center Fireplace Lounge, located on the top floor.

  • Monday, Nov. 11, 5-6 p.m.
  • Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2-3 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Nov. 13, 9-10 a.m.

For those unable to attend, an online input form will launch on this webpage at the start of the first session.