EMU Today

YPSILANTI – Jeffrey Ammons, associate general counsel at Eastern Michigan University, has been appointed as interim chief human resources officer at EMU, President James Smith announced today.

Ammons replaces Joline Davis, who had served several months as the interim chief HR officer at Eastern, and is leaving to become head of human resources for a K-12 school district in southeast Michigan.

Ammons, who among other duties serves as the University’s employment attorney and legal counsel for the Charter Schools group at EMU, has a background in HR-related law.

“Jeff is highly skilled in employment law matters, having practiced in that area before joining Eastern,” President Smith said. “I am grateful to him for taking on this assignment.”

President Smith indicated that the University will conduct a national search for a permanent chief human resources officer. He noted that Ammons is eager to assist the University during the transition, but is not interested in the permanent position.

Ammons graduated from the University of Michigan in 2001 with a B.A. in psychology.  While later attending law school, Ammons interned with Justice Robert P. Young, Jr. at the Michigan Supreme Court. He attained his J.D. from the Michigan State University College of Law in 2010.

Before joining the Legal Affairs group at EMU, Ammons practiced law for almost eight years at Dickinson Wright PLLC. He practiced primarily in the education law practice group, serving clients in the K-12 and higher education environments, gaining a wealth of experience working with public school academies, their management companies and authorizers. 

Ammons also worked on a variety of legal matters for education clients, ranging from labor and employment issues to board governance and policy issues.

Davis assumed the interim chief HR position after Vice President of University Human Resources David Turner left last November to take a position as head of human resources with a private company in Detroit.

 “I am extremely grateful for Joline's service in her roles at Eastern, including her most recent work as the interim chief human resources officer,” President Smith said. “We will miss Joline, but wish her well.”

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.