Announcement

Presidential Search Advisory Committee, Web Site Announced

Subject: Presidential Search Advisory Committee, Web Site Announced

August 11, 2025

To: Faculty, students, and staff (Ann Arbor, Dearborn, Flint, Michigan Medicine)

Dear University of Michigan community,

The Board of Regents is pleased to announce the appointment of the Presidential Search Advisory Committee, an outstanding group of faculty, staff, students, and alumni who will assist the Regents in the search for the next president of the University of Michigan. The committee’s insight, experience, and commitment will be instrumental as we move forward in this historic process.

The Presidential Search Committee works with Regents and the executive search firm to identify and review candidates and make recommendations for the full Board of Regents’ consideration. The co-chairs of the committee are Regents Mark Bernstein and Mike Behm.

In addition to the eight members of the Board of Regents, committee members include:

• Ruth Behar, Ph.D.
  James W. Fernandez Distinguished University Professor of Anthropology and Professor of Anthropology, College of Literature, Science, and the Arts
  
• Rima Berry-Hung, M.A.
  Senior Human Resources Director and Senior Advisor to the Chancellor, UM-Dearborn
  
• Jeff T. Blau, M.B.A.
  Chief Executive Officer, Related Companies
  
• Roger D. Cone, Ph.D.
  Tadataka Yamada Distinguished University Professor of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, Mary Sue Coleman Director of the Life Sciences Institute, Research Professor, Life Sciences Institute, Professor of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, College of Literature, Science, and the Arts and Professor of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, Medical School
  
• Stephen R. Forrest, Ph.D.
  Peter A. Franken Distinguished University Professor of Engineering, Paul G. Goebel Professor of Engineering, Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Professor of Material Science and Engineering, College of Engineering and Professor of Physics, College of Literature, Science, and the Arts 
  
• Julie K. Ishak, R.N., M.S.N., NP-C, CENP
  Chief Nurse Executive, University of Michigan Health
  
• Gregory A. Laurence, Ph.D.
  Professor of Management, and Chair, Department of Management and Marketing, School of Management, University of Michigan-Flint
  
• Kyle D. Logue, J.D.
  Douglas A. Kahn Collegiate Professor and Professor of Law, Law School
  
• Ganesh S. Palapattu, M.D.
  George F. and Sandra G. Valassis Professor of Urology, Professor of Urology and Chair, Department of Urology, Medical School
  
• Angelica Previero, B.S.
  President, Rackham Student Government, Graduate Student, College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, and Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies
  
• Karen E. Smith, Ph.D.
  William Fulton Distinguished University Professor of Mathematics, Professor of Mathematics and Chair, Department of Mathematics, College of Literature, Science, and the Arts
  
• Eric Veal Jr.
  President, Central Student Government, Undergraduate Student, College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, and Marsal School of Education
  
• Celeste M. Watkins-Hayes, Ph.D.
  Joan and Sanford Weill Dean of Public Policy, Jean E. Fairfax Collegiate Professor of Public Policy, Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy; Professor of Sociology (by courtesy), College of Literature, Science, and the Arts
  
  

The University has launched its Presidential Search website. This is the source for up-to-date information, announcements and engagement opportunities. 

In the coming weeks, the search advisory committee will engage with university stakeholders and advise the Board on the competencies and leadership qualities recommended in the next president. The committee will next announce a series of community listening sessions to solicit additional feedback.

As a reminder, nominations for the next president may be submitted directly and confidentially to: [email protected].

We welcome your feedback and encourage all members of our community to share their thoughts through the channels that will be announced in the coming weeks. Thank you for your commitment to this important process.

Sincerely,
University of Michigan Board of Regents

Jordan Acker
Mike Behm
Mark Bernstein
Paul Brown
Sarah Hubbard
Denise Ilitch
Carl Meyers
Kathy White