Our board is currently composed by eight members appointed by the governor to eight-year terms, they are the governing body of Western Michigan University.
The Board of Trustees is the governing body of Western Michigan University. It derives its powers from the Constitution of the State of Michigan (1963, Article VIII, Sec. 6), Enrolled House Bill No. 54 (72nd Legislature, Second Extra Session of 1963), and Enrolled Senate Bill No. 30 (75th Legislature, 1969)
Lynn L. Chen-Zhang
Chair
WMU Alumna
Home: Portage, MI
Term: Dec. 31, 2026
William D. Johnston
Vice chair
WMU Alumnus
Home: Portage, MI
Term: Dec. 31, 2022
Shelly Edgerton
WMU Alumna
Home: Plainwell, MI
Term: Dec. 31, 2026
Ron Kitchens
Home: Kalamazoo, MI
Term: Dec. 31, 2024
Shani J. Penn
WMU Alumna
Home: Detroit, MI
Term: Dec. 31, 2024
Jeffrey A. Rinvelt
WMU Alumnus
Home: Ann Arbor, MI
Term: Dec. 31, 2022
Kurtis Trevan
WMU Alumnus
Home: Grand Rapids, MI
Term: Dec. 31, 2028
Alan Turfe
Home: Northville, MI
Term: Dec. 31, 2028
Dr. Kahler B. Schuemann
Secretary to the Board
Colleen Scarff
Assistant Treasurer
Vacant Position
Executive Assistant Senior to the Chief of Staff and Secretary to the Board of Trustees