CMU announces new university president

MT. PLEASANT, Mich. (WNEM) – After 90 minutes of deliberations and a unanimous vote, the Central Michigan University (CMU) Board of Trustees has chosen a new president-elect.

This was a passing of the torch from current university president Bob Davies to president-elect Neil MacKinnon.

Lighting his Chippewas for the last time, Davies, in a room with his peers, announced that MacKinnon would become CMU’s next president.

Related: CMU students and president speak out on his decision to step down

“You have my complete commitment that my team and I will be truly student-centered in our decision-making,” MacKinnon said.

With extensive expertise in public health, MacKinnon most recently served as dean at Augusta University, where he also held positions in the Department of Health Management, Economics and Policy and the Department population health.

He brings more than 25 years of experience, which impressed administrators.

“He has served as a faculty member, president, dean and provost. His enthusiasm for the role is palpable. I look forward to working alongside him,” said Board Chairman Todd Regis.

Davies will leave office on October 31, after a six-year term.

MacKinnon will get to work in his new role the next day, keeping intact the university’s strategic plan that Davies put in place a year ago.

“For me, I think it’s more about implementing it. A lot of work and thought went into preparing this plan. My job now is to implement it and see it through,” MacKinnon said.

The board unanimously approved MacKinnon’s appointment after a search that took six months and 20 people to review more than 80 candidates.

“We are very, very confident that this is going to be a great solution,” Regis said.

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