Board of Trustees
Student Center at dusk.

Board Members

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).

Vice Chair Turfe

Alan Turfe, Chair

Term: 12/31/2028 (Northville, MI)

Photo of Kelly K. Burris

Kelly K. Burris, Vice Chair

WMU Alumna, Term: 12/31/2032 (Detroit, MI)

Headshot for Trustee Chen-Zhang

Lynn L. Chen-Zhang

WMU Alumna, Term: 12/31/2026 (Kalamazoo, MI)

Photo of Shelly Edgerton, Chair

Shelly Edgerton

WMU Alumna, Term: 12/31/2026 (Plainwell, MI)

Photo of Jon Hoadley

Jon Hoadley

WMU Alumnus, Term: 12/31/2031 (Kalamazoo, MI)

Photo of James Liggins Jr.

James Liggins Jr.

Term: 12/31/2032 (Kalamazoo, MI)

Photo of Lisa Williams

Lisa Williams

WMU Alumna, Term: 12/31/2031 (Detroit, MI )
Photo of Kara Wood

Kara Wood

Term: 12/31/2028 (Grand Rapids, MI)
Stacy Thinnes, Secretary to the WMU Board of Trustees

Stacy Thinnes

Secretary to the Board of Trustees and Special Assistant to the President

Photo of Jan Van Der Kley

Jan Van Der Kley

Treasurer and Assistant Secretary

Photo of Colleen Scarff

Colleen Scarff

Assistant Treasurer