Neil MacKinnon, Ph.D., named CMU’s 16th president

The Central Michigan University Board of Trustees voted unanimously to appoint Neil MacKinnon, Ph.D., as the university’s 16th president. President-Elect MacKinnon’s service will begin November 1, 2024.

President-Elect MacKinnon recently served as provost at Augusta University in Augusta, Georgia, where he also held appointments in the Department of Health Management, Economics and Policy; the Department of Population Health Science; and the Graduate School. He has more than 25 years of experience in higher education, with increasing leadership and administrative roles throughout his tenure. 

CMU Board of Trustees Chair Todd J. Regis said the Board had been looking for a visionary, ambitious and decisive leader whose vision and values aligned with those of the institution.

“Neil MacKinnon was an engaged candidate who spent numerous hours researching CMU’s past and present, and he offered thoughts on our future, including increased enrollment and dynamic classrooms that educate for the future careers students want to pursue,” Regis said. “His vision aligns with our vision statement, and I know he will take the core values of CMU and incorporate them as part of his daily work for CMU.”

Vice Chair Denise Williams Mallett, who chaired the presidential search advisory committee, said committee members and trustees were impressed by the wealth of experience in higher education leadership MacKinnon will bring to CMU – including experience with medical schools and health care programs.

Williams Mallett also noted MacKinnon’s ability to connect with people on multiple levels.

“We wanted someone who could foster collaboration across all generations and backgrounds while being forward-thinking about the challenges and opportunities that higher education faces today,” she said. “Dr. MacKinnon is deeply aligned with CMU's mission to nurture an inclusive community, drive academic excellence, and foster personal growth. He has a clear understanding of how essential it is to support students from diverse backgrounds and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to succeed.”

MacKinnon said he was drawn to CMU by its very strong, public commitment to student success and leadership.

“CMU’s mission statement is very different from those at most universities,” he said. “CMU said it will define its success by the success of its students and graduates, and by its impact on the communities it serves — that’s a powerful commitment. Coupled with the Leadership Standards, it says a lot about the community here at CMU.”

MacKinnon held an expanded provost’s position at Augusta, overseeing not only academic operations, libraries and the research enterprise, but also student success and belonging programs, enrollment, strategic planning and more. During his three-and-a-half-year tenure in the position, the university saw significant increases in enrollment and research funding, as well as growth in its student success initiatives. He said his role there positioned him well to serve as CMU’s next president.

“In many ways, our institutions are very alike in terms of some of the opportunities and challenges we face,” MacKinnon said. “Part of the decision was knowing that I had something of value to offer to CMU, knowing that I could help with the goals and priorities established in CMU’s strategic plan.”

In his previous role, MacKinnon led the development and implementation of Augusta University’s strategic plan, which involved working collaboratively with multiple stakeholders with different needs and expectations. He also led teams from areas including student affairs, research, academic planning and more — teams with distinct goals and objectives.

“These diverse experiences gave me new perspectives on the work of a public research institution and a great appreciation for the roles everyone plays to bring about the university’s success,” MacKinnon said.

Regis and Williams Mallett both also described MacKinnon’s dedication to improving academic outcomes, managing institutional growth, fostering student success, and building strong relationships with students, faculty and staff. 

“I believe his focus on student-centered leadership will bring about initiatives that enhance the academic experience, improve accessibility and strengthen our institutional sustainability,” Mallett Williams said. “I’m particularly looking forward to seeing how he will champion innovation while honoring our rich traditions and values.”

MacKinnon earned his doctoral degree in the philosophy of pharmacy health care administration from the University of Florida, Gainesville. He also holds a master’s degree in hospital pharmacy from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

He and his wife, Leanne MacKinnon, and their dog Bentley, will move to the Mount Pleasant area this fall ahead of his Nov. 1 start date. Their three daughters, Breagh, Ashlynn and Kaylee, are enrolled at the University of Georgia. 

Learn more about President-Elect MacKinnon in this interview with University Communications.