Public interviews are being staged this week to find a new president for the embattled Eastern Michigan University. Gov. Jennifer GRANHOLM is tossing her support behind state Superintendent Mike FLANAGAN.
Flanagan, who does not have a doctorate or any higher education experience, made the final four and was interviewed for the vacancy this week.
The Governor, through her media secretary, made her choice very clear to the eight members of the EMU board, seven of whom she has appointed.
Liz BOYD told The Ann Arbor News that Flanagan "would be an outstanding president . . . Mike Flanagan has a vision of what education should be in Michigan and the role EMU should play in helping (the state) get there," she added.
Boyd added that the university needed a "healer" and Flanagan was the person to provide that type of leadership.
The race appears to be coming down to a choice between Flanagan and Judge Don SHELTON, who has described himself as a "non-traditional" candidate with no higher-ed administrative experience. He said that could be a plus.
The other two finalists include Kenneth BURNLEY, who ran the Detroit School system from 2000 to 2005 and University of Michigan Dearborn Provost Susan MARTIN.
One person who did not make the cut was Michael BOULUS, who interviewed for the post on April 12 and then withdrew his name from the process.
Boulus, who heads the President's Council, State Universities of Michigan, would not comment saying, "I have to respect the confidentially of the president search process."