Chancellor Daniel Little has announced his plan to step down as University of Michigan-Dearborn’s chief executive officer at the end of his current term. He intends to leave office June 30, 2018, but will remain a faculty member.
Little, who has served as chancellor since 2000, is the longest-serving chancellor in UM-Dearborn history and is the longest-serving current leader of any Michigan public university.
“I appreciate Chancellor Little’s deep commitment to our academic mission, and his steadfast dedication to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion at UM-Dearborn and in the entire southeast Michigan region,” said President Mark Schlissel.
During his tenure, Little has championed college accessibility and diversity and inclusion, as well as the university’s metropolitan vision. He has led campuswide efforts to improve campus facilities and to develop new programs responsive to the needs of southeast Michigan.
Schlissel said Little’s announcement gives the university more than a year to find a successor, noting that a formal search would be launched in the coming months.
In a letter sent to faculty and staff on Thursday, Little expressed his gratitude to the UM-Dearborn community.
“I have found the work of chancellor at the University of Michigan-Dearborn to be the most satisfying experience of my entire career. The people of UM-Dearborn are very special. You are devoted to our students, enthusiastic about our educational mission, and generous in collaboration with each other,” he wrote.
“I know that my work as chancellor would have been impossible without you, the faculty, staff and administration of the university, and your generous commitment to our work as a community. Our shared commitments to the values of inclusion, student success, academic excellence and metropolitan engagement continue to inspire me and I am most grateful.
“It is a privilege to have worked with students, faculty, staff, community friends, and Ann Arbor colleagues during the past 17 years.”
