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Dr. Brock Tessman

Dr. Brock Tessman Hired as New NMU President

In a special meeting held today (Thursday, Sept. 29), the NMU Board of Trustees announced the selection of Dr. Brock Tessman as the next president of Northern Michigan University. He will tentatively begin his tenure in February.

A Plymouth, Mich., native, Dr. Tessman is currently the deputy commissioner of higher education for the 16-campus  Montana State University system. He brings to NMU experience working in the area of student success, including first-generation and Indigenous student experiences, degree completion and mental health initiatives, and led a new enrollment management plan for the Honors College. He has significant experience working with the Montana Governor’s office as well as the Montana State Legislature.

Dr.Tessman holds a bachelor’s degree in international relations from Brown University, and a master’s and doctorate in political science from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

In making the announcement, NMU Board of Trustees Chair Steve Young said that Dr. Tessman stood out among the four finalists for his “qualities and capabilities critical to the advancement of the university,” including leadership skills, understanding of strategic planning, strong communication skills, and the ability to create an environment for student, faculty and staff success.

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Board Members

About the Board

Northern Michigan University's eight-member governing board, the Board of Trustees, is appointed by Michigan's governor and has general supervision of the institution, the control and direction of all expenditures from the institution's funds, and such other powers and duties as prescribed by law. It also has the authority to hire and evaluate the university president, who reports directly to the board.

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NMU Board Meeting

Meeting Schedule

The meeting dates webpage lists the dates, times and locations of all upcoming Board of Trustees meetings. 

Special meetings of the Board of Trustees will be posted on this page.

History of the Board

Michigan's Constitution, which was adopted in 1963, granted constitutional autonomy to Northern Michigan University. It also vested governing authority in an eight-member Board of Trustees. Each trustee is appointed by the Governor to serve an eight-year term, subject to confirmation by the Senate. Trustees may also be reappointed at the pleasure of the Governor.

The Board of Trustees affirms its obligation to the citizens of Michigan to provide high quality education to people from all walks of life. It correspondingly pledges itself to the wisest use and distribution of resources at its disposal to meet this major objective.

Contact the Board

NMU Board of Trustees
603 Cohodas Hall
1401 Presque Isle Ave
Marquette, MI 49855

board@nmu.edu | 906-227-2232