YPSILANTI, Mich. – The Eastern Michigan University Board of Regents unanimously approved to extend President James Smith’s contract through June 30, 2026 on Thursday.
Smith is EMU’s 23rd president in the school’s 174-year history. He entered the role in July 2016.
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“President Smith has provided strong leadership through the many headwinds facing higher education institutions,” Board of Regents Chair Eunice Jeffries said in a statement. “He has been measured, focused and respectful in making important decisions to move the University forward.
“His dedication to supporting the success and well-being of our students and campus community reflects a deep commitment to fostering a positive environment that engenders excellence. President Smith has supported University initiatives that equip our students with the competitive edge to be successful in today’s society.”
Jeffries lauded Smith for his efforts in leading the school community through a global pandemic.
“Eastern’s positivity rates were among the lowest of Michigan’s public universities at the height of the pandemic,” Jeffries said in a statement. “Playbooks didn’t exist for a crisis of this nature. Under President Smith’s leadership, the University navigated the uncertainties with a great deal of care for the health and well-being of the campus community while providing the foundation to maintain University operations. This was a critically important undertaking.”
She also praised Smith for his role in creating a chief diversity officer at EMU, the expansion of the school’s engineering and technology campus and the $200 million investment in student housing, Welcome Home 2025, among other accomplishments.
Smith will receive a 3% salary increase to an annual salary of $468,650. The raise is retroactive dating to July 1, 2022. According to a release, Smith remains the second lowest-paid university president in the Mid-American Conference and at peer universities in Michigan.
“I am grateful to the members of the Board of Regents for their confidence and their appreciation of the efforts of the University’s leadership team,” Smith said in a statement. “I am proud of the positive strides we have taken, together with students, faculty, staff and alumni. And, I know much work, and ongoing collaboration, is critical to continuing our progress.”