CMU Board of Trustees approves new appointments to the CMURC board

New leadership will connect business and industry to the University

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich., Feb. 16, 2023 — Central Michigan University Board of Trustees approved the appointment of a new member to the CMURC Board of Directors.

Central Michigan University Vice President of Finance and Administrative Services and Chief Financial Officer, Mary Hill, will be the newest member to join the board in 2023.

Hill joins the Board of Directors with more than 30 years of experience in finance, partnership-building, and student connectivity at CMU. She previously served as associate vice president in the division, overseeing a multi-departmental team. Hill is also active in several community and professional organizations, including the Michigan Public Schools Employee Retirement System Task Force, the Michigan Controllers Group, and the National Association of College and University Business Officers.

“Mary has tremendous institutional knowledge of CMU and a deep understanding of the goals and priorities of CMURC,” said CMU President Bob Davies. “She will bring a wonderful new perspective to the CMURC Board of Directors, helping us to advance entrepreneurship and bolster the economic strength of our region.”

Hill will bring a fresh outlook in addition to strengthening community engagement through her leadership position at CMU. Beyond the CMURC accelerator and cowork programs, the Mount Pleasant facility renovations are on the horizon, which is positioned to create opportunities between industry and the University.

“By connecting the strong academic talent of the University and industry partners, there are great opportunities to include innovative partnerships and real-world experience.” said President + CEO of CMURC Erin Strang. “As we plan for Mount Pleasant community updates, the importance of continuous innovation and collaboration is critical.”

The renovations are set to empower entrepreneurs through office updates, create well-paying jobs, and build upon manufacturing and R&D strengths with the university. With the goal of bringing local businesses together to collaborate on investments that benefit the Great Lakes Bay Region, the upgrades will help foster future partnerships that contribute to the region’s economy.

“I am looking forward to working with President Strang and her team to complete the renovations to the Mt. Pleasant site and continue to promote and empower entrepreneurs in the Mid-Michigan region,” Hill said.

The appointees will join CMU members: President Dr. Robert O. Davies, Trustee Emeritus Rich Studley, Vice President Toby Roth, Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer Shawna Patterson, Vice President David Weindorf, Dean David Ford, and Director of Isabella Bank Institute of Entrepreneurship Julie Messing. Along with joining the private sector members: William Kimbell, Raymond Gunn, Raquel Perez, Dwayne Powell Jr., Felicia Harris, Jeff Stoutenburg, and Dan Ward.

For more information about CMURC cowork space, programs, or industry partnerships, please visit cmurc.com