Vice President for Research and Innovation to step down next year

Central Michigan University Provost Nancy Mathews today announced that Vice President for Research and Innovation David Weindorf will step down from his position effective early next year.

“Vice President Weindorf has been a change leader to advance research and scholarship at CMU.  His passion and support for faculty endeavors has raised the visibility of our faculty accomplishments,” Mathews said. “Moreover, his focus on engaging the UN Sustainable Development goals as a framework for scholarship has set us apart from other universities and escalated the campus’s growing focus on global grand challenges.”

Weindorf was selected to serve as CMU’s vice president for research and innovation, a role he began July 1, 2020, following a nationwide search. His leadership included oversight of four campus units: the Office of Sponsored Programs, the Office of Research Compliance, the Office of Laboratory and Field Safety, and the Office of Graduate Studies.

During his tenure at CMU, Weindorf led the university to record-setting grantsmanship, scholarly impact and research impact.

Under Weindorf’s leadership, CMU broke all prior records for grant funding in fiscal year 2021-22, earning $26.3 million in grants and contracts. And again in 2022-23, CMU exceeded the $25 million mark for research funding.

At the same time, Weindorf helped faculty across the university significantly increase scholarly output, outpacing growth among peer Mid-American Conference Schools and earning the university a spot in the Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings for the first time. CMU also ranked for a second year in 2023 and is included again in the recently released 2024 rankings.

With his leadership, CMU also achieved its highest ranking in the National Science Foundation’s Higher Education Research and Development survey, and made its debut in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings. Weindorf supported the university through other notable achievements, including inclusion in the Michigan Space Grant Consortium.

“I am so thankful for the wonderful 3.5 years I have spent at CMU. The records and accolades of research prominence CMU has achieved are a direct reflection of the hard work of the faculty, staff, and students of CMU,” Weindorf said. “Please know that CMU will forever hold a special place in my heart and in my career, and that I will be continually rooting for CMU’s continued success from afar.” 

Weindorf will shift into a new role as vice president for research and economic development at Georgia Southern University in April 2024. Provost Mathews said CMU would initiate a search to refill his current role early in the spring semester.