Dr. Mark Schlissel’s selection as the next U-M president sparked excitement among leaders from around the university, on hand to witness the board’s announcement Friday in the Michigan Union.

“I’m tremendously excited. He’s obviously an incredibly accomplished academic, and I think that’s such an important quality to have in such a leadership role. Also, the regents say they’ve come to know him and he’s got a very big heart, and that’s really exciting. It’s also clear he has an enormously successful academic track record, and that’s a powerful combination,” said Provost Martha Pollack.

Karen Staller, chair of the Senate Advisory Committee on University Affairs and associate professor of social work, said she was thrilled by the announcement. “I really look forward to working with Dr. Schlissel when he comes to campus.”

Michael Proppe, president of Central Student Government, said, “I’m excited to meet Dr. Schlissel and work with him next year and orient him to the campus and the students’ perspective.”

Proppe said he was encouraged that the regents said Schlissel values students and the student experience. “Based on those comments I think there is a good opportunity to build a good working relationship,” he said.

“I’m very enthusiastic. The unique comments and reflections of the Board of Regents reveals a great deal about their enthusiasm and we can’t help but be excited ourselves,” said Cynthia Wilbanks, vice president for government relations and special adviser to the president.

Athletic director and former regent David Brandon said, “It’s a great selection. They obviously did an outstanding job. As one who went through this process the last time around, I was just impressed with the thoroughness and the process of inclusion of the community. They obviously selected someone with amazing credentials and tremendous experience. They did their work and they did it well. It’s a great day for the University of Michigan.”

“I’m really excited. He has outstanding credits as a scholar and an academic leader. There’s where he’s gone to school and where he’s been employed; he’s a great choice. It’s going to be a wonderful road ahead. I look forward to working with him and particularly showing him our regional campus,” said UM-Flint Chancellor Ruth Person.

U-M Dearborn Chancellor Daniel Little said, “I’m very excited. I think the board really fulfilled its job by naming a distinguished academic and scientist, it’s the kind of continuing excellence were so proud of. It’s a really good choice. I’m also pleased how frequently he used the language of diversity and inclusion, because that’s one of the most important values. I certainly look forward to introducing him to the UM-Dearborn campus.”

://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9lKZA1SmqY

Former Schlissel colleagues include Robert Birgeneau, chancellor of the University of California, Berkeley. He said that during a tough economic time, Schlissel, then biological sciences dean, stood out for his ability to protect the faculty while at the same time recognizing the financial realities meant important steps would have to be taken to control costs.

“Mark is a distinguished biologist and also a medical doctor, which for Michigan I think will be very important. At Berkeley he did a really good job at recruiting faculty members and promoting the best,” he said.

Ruth Simmons, president of Brown University from 2001-12, where Schlissel is currently provost, said he “has the potential to be one of the most accomplished presidents of our time.”

“He will examine every accessible element of a problem, generously invite views opposite to his own, search the basis of his own reactions to the evidence and render decisions that have been exceedingly well vetted. At the same time, his stellar and rigorous academic training and experience gives him the confidence to make difficult decisions when an ideal course is elusive,” Simmons said.

Interim LSA Dean Susan Gelman said she was impressed with Schlissel’s answers, his academic credentials and experience. “I’m very excited to have him as our new president,” she said.

Jeff MacKie-Mason, dean of the School of Information and member of the presidential search advisory committee, said that along with Schlissel’s impressive academic and administrative resume, “He talks with genuine warmth and excitement about undergraduates.”

Jack Hu, interim vice president for research, said Schlissel seemed a good choice. “He’s an outstanding scholar, and has very broad academic and administrative experience. He should be good for Michigan.”

Lynn Wooten, associate dean for undergraduate programs at the Stephen M. Ross School of Business, said she was excited to hear about Schlissel’s passion for university life.

“He gets excited about students, he gets excited about faculty, he gets excited about research. He’s not only a thought leader but a strategic leader in the context of academic administration,” she said.

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