Isabella Bank Institute for Entrepreneurship

Central Michigan University President Neil MacKinnon today announced the formation of a new administrative unit that will bring together leadership and teams from two important CMU areas: the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and the Division of Student Affairs. 

The new Division of University Engagement and Student Affairs will be led by Shawna Patterson-Stephens, Ph.D., the current Vice President for Inclusive Excellence and Belonging, who will expand her leadership role at CMU. Effective May 16, her new title will be Vice President of University Engagement and Student Affairs. 

“Dr. Patterson-Stephens is an experienced higher education scholar-practitioner who has led university-wide efforts to enhance policies and processes, improve campus climate, and create a welcoming, supportive environment for all students, faculty and staff,” MacKinnon said. “Her education, research, experience and achievements make her an ideal candidate to lead this vitally important division.” 

In the weeks ahead, Patterson-Stephens will work alongside Interim Vice President of Student Affairs Stan Shingles, as well as with staff and students, to map out the organizational structure of the new Division of University Engagement and Student Affairs. From those discussions, leaders will develop a new webpage for the unit and communicate planned changes with the campus community throughout the summer.  

Stabilizing leadership 

Understanding that multiple leadership transitions had occurred within the Division of Student Affairs over the last decade, MacKinnon said securing stable leadership for the division was a top priority for his first year as university president. With Interim Vice President Shingles set to re-retire this summer, MacKinnon said identifying a new leader was a paramount concern.  

“Dr. Patterson-Stephens is well-known and well-respected at CMU, and she is deeply familiar with our university culture, values, policies and practices,” MacKinnon said. “She has more than twenty years of experience in higher education in roles that center on student success and fostering a culture of inclusion.” 

Since Patterson-Stephens’ tenure as vice president began in 2021, there has been significant collaboration between the Division of Student Affairs and the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, especially in areas such as co-curricular programming, professional training and development, and support for students, faculty, and staff in difficult times. She has worked closely and frequently with Shingles and other Student Affairs leaders to develop, deliver, and assess program offerings and to review and revise student-focused practices. 

MacKinnon, Patterson-Stephens and Shingles met with several other university leaders to discuss the new division, and MacKinnon appointed Patterson-Stephens to the newly developed leadership role in alignment with the university’s search waiver policy.  

Over the next several weeks, Patterson-Stephens and Shingles will meet with students and staff working within the new division to discuss organizational structure, roles and responsibilities, and more. 

“The experiences of our students, the continued advancement of our institutional priorities, and the retention of existing talent are utmost priorities in infrastructural design for this emergent division,” Patterson-Stephens said. “We will require experienced leaders who have already demonstrated their commitment to the people who entrusted CMU to meet their educational needs.” 

New division, same commitment to success 

Creating the Division of University Engagement and Student Affairs will align university-wide efforts to meet the changing needs of students, faculty, staff, alumni and community partners. 

“As part of our commitment to our mission, vision and values, CMU seeks to provide transformational learning opportunities for all learners and to foster an environment where everyone can thrive – including our students, faculty, staff, alumni, visitors, families and guests,” said Patterson-Stephens. “We will continue to emphasize inclusive practices in all we do, from our academic offerings to our co-curricular activities, as well as in our policies, processes and procedures.” 

 MacKinnon also noted that Patterson-Stephens’ research and professional experience have prepared her to be a strong leader as the university navigates uncertainty caused by changes at the state and federal level. 

“CMU will continue to be intentional about how we talk about and carry out our vital work, ensuring that we are always pursuing the goal to cultivate an inclusive, welcoming environment where everyone feels empowered to achieve their personal, professional and academic goals,” MacKinnon said. 

Gratitude for Shingles 

Stan Shingles, who came out of retirement to serve as interim vice president of Student Affairs in April 2024, will once again retire from CMU – but he said he won’t be absent from life at Central. Shingles has been a member of the university community for more than thirty years, and he plans to remain involved in university events and activities. 

“I am grateful for Stan’s years of leadership and his support during my first months on the job at CMU,” MacKinnon said. “We have been extremely fortunate to have Stan’s guidance as we determined the best path forward for CMU and Student Affairs, and I know he will continue to work closely with Dr. Patterson-Stephens to ensure a smooth, successful transition for the teams who will comprise this new division.”