EMU Today

YPSILANTI – Ann Eisenberg, a professor of psychology with extensive experience in the oversight of honors colleges and associated programs, has been appointed dean of The Honors College at Eastern Michigan University.

In another leadership appointment in the Division of Academic Affairs, Brian Pappas, a professor of law and public policy and administration with extensive experience in conflict management and resolution, has been named assistant vice president for academic affairs.

“These are highly important positions at Eastern, and I’m excited about the experience and perspective Ann and Brian bring to the University,” said Rhonda Longworth, provost and executive vice president for academic and student affairs. “Our Honors College is an exceptional place for students to flourish, both academically and socially -- Ann will be an excellent leader. Brian will have a crucial role in working with our outstanding faculty in a variety of contexts.”

Eisenberg will oversee the operations of The Honors College, which seeks to provide the intimacy of a small, liberal arts education within the context of a large, comprehensive university such as Eastern. The college offers challenging honors seminars and coursework along with extra-curricular activities that encourage scholarly curiosity, leadership, civic engagement, and diversity.

Eisenberg joins Eastern from the University of Texas at San Antonio, where during her 36-year tenure she combined her academic pursuits with a variety of roles in the Honors College. Her positions have included serving as director of the Office of Scholar Development & Post Graduate Advising from 2016-2018 and serving as associate dean of the Honors College from 2002-2015. She also served as interim dean of the Honors College from 2015-2016.

She received her doctorate in developmental psychology from the University of California at Berkeley and her master’s and bachelor’s in psychology from The Johns Hopkins University.

Eisenberg will start at the University on August 1. Her annual salary will be $150,000.

Pappas comes to Eastern from Boise State University, where since 2017 he served as an assistant professor of public policy and administration and director of the Conflict Management Program in the School of Public Service. In the latter capacity, Pappas worked with the provost’s office, human resources and campus stakeholders to develop a leadership support and development program for department chairs, deans and directors regarding conflict resolution, strategic planning and process improvements.

Prior to that, Pappas served as a clinical professor of law at the Michigan State University College of Law, along with serving as director of the College of Law’s Conflict Resolution Clinic in 2016-17. From 2008 to 2017, he was associate director of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Program at the MSU College of Law.

Pappas earned a doctorate in public administration at the University of Kansas. His law degrees include an LL.M. in dispute resolution at the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law, and a J.D. at Wayne State University Law School. Pappas earned a master’s in public policy and a bachelor’s in political science from the University of Michigan.

He started at Eastern on June 1. His annual salary is $150,000.

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 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.