Kerri Schuiling is the new provost and vice president for academic affairs at Northern Michigan University. The NMU alumna is a familiar face on campus, having served most recently as professor and dean of the College of Health Sciences and Professional Studies.

"Dr. Schuiling is the right person at the right time for this position,” said NMU President Fritz Erickson. “She knows Northern extremely well, understanding the university's strengths and its challenges, and will use that to bring innovative thinking and creative problem-solving to her decision-making as provost."

Schuiling earned her bachelor’s of science in nursing (BSN) from Northern in 1973. She joined the nursing faculty in 1998 and was named department head a year later. She was promoted to associate dean and director of the School of Nursing, a position she held from 2001-2011. After leaving to become dean of the Oakland University School of Nursing, Schuiling returned to NMU in 2014 for her recent post in the College of Health Sciences and Professional Studies.

A certified nurse-midwife, Schuiling has held professional memberships in several national organizations, including the American Academy of Nursing, which inducted her as a fellow in 2011. She was among the 2013 Esteemed Women of Michigan recognized by the Burnstein Community Health Clinic and was previously honored by NMU with a Distinguished Faculty Award and an Excellence in Professional Development Award.

“I am thrilled to be appointed as the next provost and vice president for academic affairs at NMU,” Schuiling said. “I look forward to working with the president, his leadership team and our faculty and staff in mapping out a strategic plan that will move us and our university forward. I think one of my biggest advantages in this new role is that I have a wonderful work history with so many of our university's faculty and staff. Their dedication and commitment to our students is unsurpassed.”

Former NMU Provost Paul Lang passed away in January, only a few days after it was announced that he was on medical leave and English professor Lesley Larkin would serve as acting provost and chief academic officer. Larkin co-chaired the search committee charged with recommending a permanent successor.

“Kerri is smart, hard-working and a good communicator who impressed the search committee with her commitment to collaborative leadership and community engagement,” said Larkin. “She will bring strategic insight and intelligence to her new position.”