Chris Olsen, Ph.D.
Chris Olsen serves as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Indiana State University. Previous to his current position he was Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences for five years and Chairperson of the Department of History for fourteen.
Olsen Appointed NMU's 19th President
Chris Olsen, who has more than 20 years of higher education leadership experience, will become the 19th president of Northern Michigan University, effective Jan. 1. He has served Indiana State University as provost and vice president for Academic Affairs since 2021, and previously as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and chair of the Department of History. The NMU Board of Trustees unanimously approved his appointment at a special meeting this afternoon. Read More
Presidential Search Updates
Presidential Candidate Interview Schedule Announced
The Northern Michigan University Presidential Search Advisory Committee (PSAC) has announced that four candidates will visit campus between Sept. 29 and Oct. 10.
Each candidate will engage with a wide variety of stakeholder groups during their two-day campus visit. Names and resumes of the candidates will be released 24 hours prior to their campus visit. Details will be updated on the Presidential Search site.
The candidates will meet with students, faculty, staff and campus leaders. There will be a community and alumni reception held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Northern Center on September 29, October 2, 6 and 9. The community receptions are open to the public. Feedback forms will be available for each candidate via the Presidential Search Site.
The PSAC is made up of campus and community leaders and is led by former NMU Board of Trustees Chair Tami Seavoy of Marquette. The full list of members can be found here.
“At the beginning of this process last spring, the campus community provided valuable input for the job description of the next president of NMU,” said Seavoy. “Our search firm, Parker Executive Search, identified 84 potential candidates. The PSAC initially narrowed that list down to 11 candidates who best met the qualifications. After those interviews, the committee reached consensus on the four most qualified candidates to bring to campus.”
"The Search Advisory Committee was a comprehensive representation of our community that was a diverse and well-functioning group of individuals," said Rick Mengyan, president of NMU-AAUP/AFT faculty union and search committee member. “The process ultimately worked really well. These four finalists are all very competitive. I am looking forward to the upcoming visits.”
Following the campus visits, the four finalists will be interviewed in person by the Board of Trustees the week of October 13. The board will then name the 18th president of NMU. It is the hope of the board to have the new president installed by early next year.
| Candidate | On-Campus Dates | Staff Forum | Student Forum | Faculty Forum | Community Reception |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate 1 | Sept. 29 – 30 | Monday, Sept. 29 10:15 – 11:00 a.m. Peninsula II | Monday, Sept. 29 1:45 – 2:30 p.m. Peninsula II | Monday, Sept. 29 4:45 – 5:30 p.m. Peninsula II | Monday, Sept. 29 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. Ballroom IV |
| Candidate 2 | Oct. 2 – 3 | Thursday, Oct. 2 10:15 – 11:00 a.m. Peninsula II | Thursday, Oct. 2 1:45 – 2:30 p.m. Peninsula II | Thursday, Oct. 2 4:45 – 5:30 p.m. Peninsula II | Thursday, Oct. 2 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. Ballroom IV |
| Candidate 3 | Oct. 6 – 7 | Monday, Oct. 6 10:15 – 11:00 a.m. Peninsula II | Monday, Oct. 6 1:45 – 2:30 p.m. Peninsula II | Monday, Oct. 6 4:45 – 5:30 p.m. Peninsula II | Monday, Oct. 6 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. Ballroom IV |
| Candidate 4 | Oct. 9 – 10 | Thursday, Oct. 9 10:15 – 11:00 a.m. Peninsula II | Thursday, Oct. 9 1:45 – 2:30 p.m. Peninsula II | Thursday, Oct. 9 4:45 – 5:30 p.m. Peninsula II | Thursday, Oct. 9 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. Founder's Room |
NMU Retains Presidential Search Firm
The Northern Michigan University Board of Trustees has retained the services of Parker Executive Search to lead a national search for Northern's next president, after Brock Tessman announced his impending departure for the post at Montana State University. Parker was also contracted by NMU for the same process in 2022 that resulted in Tessman's appointment. Read More
NMU Board Appoints Presidential Search Advisory Committee
The Northern Michigan University Board of Trustees has approved appointments to the Presidential Search Advisory Committee (PSAC), which will help to identify prospective candidates for NMU's next president. Read More
Opportunities to Get Involved in the Process
Here are two ways you can be involved in the search for the next President of Northern Michigan University.