Central Michigan University president plans to step down at year's end

Central Michigan University President Bob Davies said Wednesday he plans to step down at the end of the year for personal and professional reasons after serving the school for six years.

Davies said in a letter to the CMU community that he wanted to provide the Board of Trustees time to search for the next president.

“The work we have done together fills me with pride, and we have a great deal of work remaining ahead of us,” said Davis, 56. “I look forward to our continued partnership over the next 11 months. Please be assured that I will remain an active, engaged and enthusiastic proponent of this work in my final year as president.”

Davies arrived as CMU president in the fall 2018.

During that time, CMU has grappled with declining enrollment though the school reported second consecutive year of increases in new student enrollment in September.

Davies highlighted this success during his tenure and others, including growth in CMU’s online programs, increased grant funding and securing one of the largest philanthropic gifts in university history, $10 million for student success initiatives.

In a statement, Todd Regis, chair of the CMU Board of Trustees, said the board had accepted Davies’ resignation and would soon begin the process to search for CMU’s 16^th president by forming a search advisory committee. CMU would also hire a firm to launch a national search. 

“In the spirit of Shared Governance, the Board of Trustees will ensure that the search process includes opportunities for students, faculty, staff, alumni, supporters, community members and partners to participate,” Regis said.

In 2022, the board unanimously decided to increase Davies’ base salary $35,000 to $450,000 a year, bringing him closer to the average salary with other university leaders within CMU’s peer group and the Mid-American Conference. He had gone three years without a raise and received a one-time $75,000 bonus.

A review of the president's performance at the time hailed Davies for his "exemplary service, passion, commitment and leadership." 

kkozlowski@deteroitnews.com