EMU Today

YPSILANTI – James Webb, a two-time Eastern Michigan University graduate and a longtime contributor to the Eastern community, has been reelected to a one-year term as chair of the EMU Board of Regents. The appointment was approved during the Board’s regular meeting on Friday, Dec. 13.

Webb is finishing a two-year term as chair, and will now serve though December 2020. Regent Eunice Jeffries was elected vice chair of the board, also for a one-year term.

Webb was appointed to the EMU Board of Regents by Governor Rick Snyder in December 2012 to replace the vacated seat of Thomas Sidlik. He is appointed for a term expiring December 2020.

Webb received an A.A. in Business Administration from College of the Sequoias in Visalia, Calif. in 1968, a B.B.A. in Management from Eastern Michigan University in 1971, and an M.B.A. in Finance from EMU in 1976. He also competed on the EMU varsity swimming team.

Webb has enjoyed a successful and varied business career. He retired as Chairman of Aon Risk Services, Inc. of Michigan in 2017. In addition to his work experience, Webb has been very active in the EMU community. In 1988 he received the Alumnus Achievement Award, and in 1989 he was Chair of the Campaign for Champions. He received the Dr. John W. Porter Distinguished Service Award in 1992 and received the 2017 outstanding alumni award from the accounting and finance alumni association. 

Jeffries, an active community member who has had a distinguished career in public service, was appointed to the Board of Regents by Governor Snyder in December of 2016 to fill the seat of Beth Fitzsimmons, whose term had expired. She is appointed for a term expiring December 31, 2024.

Jeffries received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting and Business Administration from Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee and received her Master of Business Administration from Northwood University in Midland, Michigan. 

Jeffries began her career in public service as a Congressional caseworker for United States Senator Spencer Abraham. Within a year, she rose through the ranks and was promoted to Regional Director. In this role, Jeffries opened and managed the Senator’s district office in Detroit. In 2001, Jeffries joined Governor Engler’s Executive Office in Detroit as Associate Director.

These experiences led Jeffries to the opportunity to represent the Secretary of State, Terri Lynn Land, in Southeast Michigan as Director of Civic and Community Affairs in the Executive Office. In 2011, as a State Administrator of the Bureau of Branch Office Services, Jeffries served Secretary Ruth Johnson and worked as an integral part of the Customer Service Administration.

Later, as the Executive Director of the Farmington Hills Foundation for Youth and Families, Jeffries served as the face of the organization and was responsible for implementing the Foundation’s mission and vision by planning events, engaging key community stake holders and managing the Board of Trustees.

Jeffries is currently the Metro Director for Read to a Child, a national non-profit that focuses on helping to foster a love of reading for elementary school students through a lunchtime reading program.

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves nearly 18,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and, its graduate school. EMU is regularly recognized by national publications for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website.