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).
James B. Bolger
Chair
WMU Alumnus
Home: Whitehall, MI
Term: Dec. 31, 2020
Lynn L. Chen-Zhang
Vice chair
WMU Alumna
Home: Portage, MI
Term: Dec. 31, 2026
Jeffrey A. Rinvelt
WMU alumnus
Home: Ann Arbor, MI
Term: Dec. 31, 2022
David Behen
Home: Saline, MI
Term: Dec. 31, 2020
Shelly Edgerton
Home: Plainwell, MI
Term: Dec. 31, 2026
William D. Johnston
WMU alumnus
Home: Portage, MI
Term: Dec. 31, 2022
Ron Kitchens
Home: Kalamazoo, MI
Term: Dec. 31, 2024
Shani J. Penn
WMU alumna
Home: Detroit, MI
Term: Dec. 31, 2024
Dr. Kahler B. Schuemann
Secretary to the Board
Stacy Thinnes
Executive Assistant Senior to the Chief of Staff and Secretary to the Board of Trustees
Ivanna Lajara
Doctoral Graduate Assistant