Central Michigan University has announced the appointment of Neil MacKinnon as its new president, starting November 1, after a unanimous vote by the Board of Trustees. MacKinnon will become the 16th president of the institution, stepping into a role vacated by Robert O. Davies, who served since 2018 and has cited " for personal and professional reasons" for his departure, as reported by mlive. Emphasizing the gravity of the selection, MacKinnon said, "We will accomplish amazing things together, and I will not let you down."
The choice of MacKinnon concludes a search process involving a search firm and a committee of 20, reflecting the university's careful consideration of candidates. MacKinnon, previously the provost at Augusta University in Georgia, has been recognized for his significant experience in academia, which spans more than 25 years. Prior positions range from faculty member to dean, casting a primer on the leadership he is expected to bring to CMU. His diverse background includes appointments in the Department of Health Management, Economics and Policy, the Department of Population Health Science, and the Graduate School. According to woodtv, under his leadership, Augusta University saw enrollment gains and increases in research funding.
MacKinnon's administrative repertoire at Augusta was broad, encompassing academic operations, libraries, research, student success and belonging programs, among other areas. This breadth of oversight was something the CMU Board of Trustees found impressive, per a statement. His academic achievements include a doctorate in pharmacy health care administration from the University of Florida, Gainesville, and a master's degree in hospital pharmacy from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, accompanied by a bachelor's of pharmacy from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
In talking about his vision for CMU, MacKinnon resonated with the university's mission, highlighting its distinctive approach to measuring success through student and community impact. "CMU’s mission statement is very different from those at most universities," MacKinnon told WZZM13. “CMU said it will define its success by the success of its students and graduates, and by its impact on the communities it serves — that’s a powerful commitment. Coupled with the Leadership Standards, it says a lot about the community here at CMU.”
