Arkansas State University System president exiting to become president at Eastern Michigan University

EducationLatest NewsNortheast Arkansas

by George Jared ([email protected]) ago 70 views 

Dr. Brendan Kelly, president of the Arkansas State University System, has been selected to become president of his alma mater, Eastern Michigan University, in Ypsilanti.

The Eastern Michigan University Board of Regents voted today to elect Kelly as its 24th president, effective March 1, to succeed the retiring James Smith. Kelly has been ASU System president — only the third president in the system’s history – since Sept. 23, 2024.

ASU System Board of Trustees Chair Steve Eddington of Benton said Kelly has given the board notice and that his resignation is effective Feb. 12.

“We appreciate Dr. Kelly’s service and respect his decision to return to his alma mater and home state,” Eddington said. “The Board of Trustees will outline a plan to prepare for a smooth transition for future leadership. We have a strong team of campus and system leaders to carry on the work of service to our students in the interim.”

The ASU System board will meet in regular session on Friday at 10 a.m. at the System Office in Little Rock.

An Eastern Michigan graduate, Kelly arrived at the ASU System after being president of the University of West Georgia. He succeeded interim president Dr. Robin Myers and the second system president, Dr. Chuck Welch, who left the system in January after nearly 13 years to become president and CEO of the American Association of State Colleges & Universities (AASCU) in Washington, D.C.

A-State Chancellor Todd Shields released the following statement:

“In my three decades in higher education, I’ve served through multiple System President transitions. Continuity of purpose is of utmost importance, and we are fortunate to have the leadership provided by our Board of Trustees and the hard work of the system staff as we navigate this transition.

“As the Trustees identify a new System President, our job is to stay the course and stick to the vital mission of educating tomorrow’s leaders and bridging our four-year and two-year colleges, industry, and workforce needs for the ultimate good of Northeast Arkansas and the entire state. Together, A-State will continue to be one of the country’s best universities,” he said.