Ann Arbor Times

Eastern Michigan University has appointed Holly Lynn Baumgartner, Ph.D., as the new associate provost and vice president for graduate studies and research. Baumgartner comes to EMU with a significant background in academic leadership, most recently serving as dean of the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences and Guy Harvey Oceanographic Research Center at Nova Southeastern University since 2021.

During her tenure at Nova Southeastern, Baumgartner oversaw a budget exceeding $100 million, managing over 260 full-time faculty and staff. She was instrumental in developing a strategic plan that involved more than 170 initiatives. Her efforts led to the creation of several centers and institutes, including revitalizing the National Coral Reef Institute.

Baumgartner's achievements include leading successful congressional earmark requests totaling nearly $5 million for coral reef research and nursery expansion. She also served as principal investigator on federal grants from agencies like the US Geological Survey and raised substantial funds for research and scholarships.

Rhonda Longworth, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs at EMU, expressed enthusiasm about Baumgartner's appointment: “Dr. Baumgartner brings a deep breadth of leadership and experience that will help lift our research and graduate studies initiatives to new heights. I am delighted to welcome her to the EMU community.”

Baumgartner's previous roles include dean positions at Ohio Northern University from 2017-2021, and Lourdes University from 2013-2017. Her academic contributions are reflected in over 20 publications, highlighting her expertise in rhetoric, writing, ethics, American culture studies, English literature, and classical studies.

At EMU, she will join the provost’s academic administrative leadership team to provide strategic direction on sponsored research activities, graduate education development, faculty support programs, technology transfer initiatives, compliance with regulations related to state/federal research policies among other responsibilities.

In accepting her new role at EMU starting June 21st pending Board approval—Baumgartner stated: “I am truly inspired by the students staff faculty I met on campus... passionate about graduate education... invested in foregrounding work already being accomplished along with finding new opportunities.”

Longworth acknowledged Steven Pernecky's interim leadership over past two years praising his integrity dedication towards advancing university goals despite challenging times faced during his service period before concluding remarks by thanking search committee members responsible selecting qualified candidate fill position moving forward into future endeavors undertaken within educational institution itself regarding upcoming events slated occur throughout course upcoming academic year accordingly.