Trustees provide update on presidential search

As Central Michigan University welcomes students, faculty and staff back for a new academic year, there is good news to share regarding the search for the next university president.

“We have made exciting progress over the summer, and we are on track to meet our goal to announce CMU’s 16th president later this year,” said CMU Board of Trustees Vice Chair Denise Williams Mallett.

In July, members of the presidential search advisory committee and representatives from search firm WittKeiffer met virtually to receive an update about the search and discuss the logistics of applicant review. Earlier this month, the search advisory committee members and the search consultants met again to review and discuss the qualifications of more than 80 total applicants. 

“We were impressed by the diversity of knowledge and experience represented in the candidate pool,” Williams Mallet said. “The position attracted many outstanding candidates for the committee to consider.”

The committee has narrowed the candidate pool and conducted confidential virtual screening interviews with selected applicants. Now, the committee is preparing to recommend an unranked list of top candidates to the CMU Board of Trustees.

“The input and participation of the committee members has been invaluable as we work to select an outstanding leader for Central Michigan University,” Williams Mallett said. “Now the Trustees must conduct our interviews and due diligence to ensure we appoint the right candidate.”

Once a candidate is chosen, there will still be time needed for appropriate screenings, contract discussions and more; however, Williams Mallett said she is confident the search will continue to follow the search timeline shared with the university community earlier this year. 

In January 2024, current CMU President Bob Davies announced his decision to step down from his leadership role at the end of the calendar year. The confidential national search began in February, with the approval of procedures to select a university president, and the establishment of a presidential search advisory committee, led by Trustee Williams Mallett, in March. 

Members of the university community, including students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors, community partners and local leaders, participated in the development of the presidential leadership profile in the spring. The completed profile was a major component of advertising the position and narrowing the candidate pool, Williams Mallett said.