|
Dear Colleagues: I am enormously impressed by the people I have met, and their commitment to our mission. These changes will help us better serve that mission and realize our goals by streamlining decision-making, coordinating activities and building a collaborative culture in line with our values. Key changes start in the Office of the President. Michael Wright’s recently announced retirement has allowed me to rethink my office and leadership team, and implement a structure I believe will be most effective in helping me to lead Wayne State. Rather than replace Michael’s current role, I will immediately begin a search for a Chief of Staff / University Relations Officer whose leadership will strengthen and integrate our external-facing, institutional advocacy strategy and operations. This position will lead and oversee Government and Community Affairs, University Marketing and Communications, and the board office. The university relations portfolio will complement Academic Affairs led by Provost and Sr. Vice President for Academic Affairs Mark Kornbluh, and the Finance and Business Operations led by Senior Vice President David Massaron. I am grateful that Michael has agreed to remain in his current position until this role is filled and I expect to launch the external search for this position next month. To better our approach to how leaders collaborate cross-functionally on operational matters and to intentionally bring multiple voices to guide process improvements, we have formed a University Leadership Council (ULC), chaired by Provost Kornbluh and co-chaired by Interim Vice President for Research Tim Stemmler. The purpose of this council is to promote deeper connection and articulation between work of the executive and academic leaders, as well as include important shared governance leader perspectives. The role of the council is to:
An internally-focused administrative modification in the Office of the President is the establishment of an Assistant Vice President for Operations and Strategic Initiatives, who will direct the Office of the President staff, manage executive team activities, and regularly coordinate with other divisions to ensure effective, harmonized operations toward the most important goals. I expect to conclude the search for this position within the next couple of weeks. Additional changes throughout the organization include moving WDET and the University Press to the Office of the Provost; realigning Business Innovation & Technology Commercialization to the Office of Research and Discovery; and placing Public Safety under Finance and Business Operations. Fundamentally, these alterations are intended to get the various units throughout the university better aligned and working together, and are undergirded by our commitment to deep and broad engagement with our communities and our shared values to promote diversity, equity and inclusion. As importantly, they are designed to help us work more efficiently and improve our effectiveness as an organization. I look forward to working with all of you as we serve our important mission.
|
|
