Established by the U-M Board of Regents, the Presidential Search Committee works with Regents and an executive search firm to identify and review candidates and make recommendations for the full Board of Regents’ consideration. The search advisory committee members will gather input from the university stakeholders, advise the Board on the competencies and attributes for our next president, and participate in the candidate interview process.
Ruth Behar, Ph.D.
James W. Fernandez Distinguished University Professor of Anthropology and Professor of Anthropology, College of Literature, Science, and the Arts
Dr. Ruth Behar is a cultural anthropologist and writer whose work explores identity, immigration, and belonging across Cuba, Mexico, and Spain. She holds a Ph.D. in Anthropology from Princeton and is also a poet, filmmaker, and award-winning children’s author with a focus on Cuban and Sephardic heritage.
Rima Berry-Hung, M.A.
Senior Human Resources Director and Senior Advisor to the Chancellor, University of Michigan-Dearborn
Rima Berry-Hung is a senior HR leader whose nearly 26-year career at U-M has focused on faculty and staff engagement, conflict resolution, team building, and inclusive workplace culture. She holds degrees from Eastern Michigan University and UM-Dearborn, where her university journey began as a student employee.
Jeff T. Blau, M.B.A.
Chief Executive Officer, Related Companies
Jeff Blau is CEO and a Partner of Related Companies, where he oversees over $70 billion of developments in virtually every sector of the real estate industry. He is also the chairman and founding partner of energyRe, a leader in renewable energy projects. Mr. Blau graduated from the University of Michigan and received his M.B.A. from The Wharton School of The University of Pennsylvania. He serves on multiple civic and institutional boards.
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 and Integrative Physiology, Medical School, and Professor of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, College of Literature, Science, and the Arts.
Dr. Roger Cone is a biologist whose research focuses on the brain’s regulation of energy balance and metabolic disease. He holds a Ph.D. from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Medicine.
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
Dr. Stephen Forrest is a physicist and engineer known for pioneering research in organic electronics and optoelectronics. He has held several leadership positions at the University of Michigan including Vice President for Research. He earned his Ph.D. from U-M and is a member of four national academies.
Julie K. Ishak, R.N., M.S.N., NP-C, CENP
Chief Nurse Executive, University of Michigan Health
Julie Ishak, Chief Nurse Executive at the University of Michigan Health, is an experienced leader in nursing and healthcare operations across the care continuum, with a clinical background in women’s health. She holds nursing degrees from Wayne State University and the University of Detroit Mercy and is board certified in executive nursing practice as well as an adult primary care nurse practitioner.
Gregory A. Laurence, Ph.D.
Professor of Management, and Chair, Department of Management and Marketing, School of Management, University of Michigan-Flint
Dr. Gregory Laurence focuses on employee well-being, workspace personalization, and the experience of stress at work. He earned his Ph.D. in organizational behavior from Syracuse University and teaches courses in negotiation, leadership, and human resource management, while also leading study abroad programs in Asia.
Kyle D. Logue, J.D.
Douglas A. Kahn Collegiate Professor, and Professor of Law, Law School
He serves as a Professor of Law at the University of Michigan, where his scholarship bridges torts, insurance, tax, and legal theory, often drawing on other disciplines such as economics and philosophy. A graduate of Yale Law School, he has held multiple leadership roles at Michigan Law, including serving as interim Dean.
Ganesh S. Palapattu, M.D.
George F. and Sandra G. Valassis Professor of Urology, Professor of Urology and Chair, Department of Urology, Medical School
Dr. Ganesh S. Palapattu is an internationally renowned urologic oncologist and department chair, dedicated to advancing the diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes of men with prostate cancer. He holds an M.D. from Baylor College of Medicine and completed advanced training at UCLA and Johns Hopkins.
Angelica Previero, B.S.
Former President, Rackham Student Government, Graduate Student, College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, and Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies
Angelica Previero is a doctoral student in molecular, cellular, and developmental biology whose research focuses on polyploidy and gene regulation in C. elegans. She is the former president of Rackham Student Government and holds a B.S. from the University of Miami.
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
Dr. Karen Smith is a mathematician whose research connects commutative algebra and algebraic geometry using prime characteristic methods. She is a member of the national academies of sciences, earned her Ph.D. from U-M and chairs the Department of Mathematics.
Eric Veal Jr.
Former President, Central Student Government, Undergraduate Student, College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, and Marsal School of Education
Eric Veal Jr. has dual degrees in political science and secondary education with a minor in public policy who served as president of Central Student Government. A native of Chicago, he was appointed as student co-chair of the Illinois Educational Equity Committee and named a 2025 Institute for Responsible Citizenship fellow.
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
Dr. Celeste Watkins-Hayes is an internationally recognized sociologist and public policy scholar whose award-winning research focuses on inequality, HIV/AIDS, and social service institutions. She earned her Ph.D. from Harvard and is dean of the Ford School, an appointee to the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS, and a member of two national academies.
