EMU Today

YPSILANTI --  In a wide-ranging interview on EMU Today TV, Eastern Michigan University President James Smith highlighted some of his most rewarding accomplishments during his eight years as president. He also shared his commitment to continue working hard over the next two years to establish a firm foundation for the University’s future. 

Smith is the longest-serving public university president in Michigan among current presidents. In June, he announced he would step aside as president at the conclusion of his current contract on June 30, 2026. 

“We’re an institution that believes in opportunity, that believes in giving students a chance to do what they only dreamt about,” said Smith. “We had some deficits with facilities and we’ve worked hard over the last eight years, now going into year nine, to rectify those.” 

Smith highlighted the change over the last eight years from nearly fully in-person classes to a blend of in-person, online and hybrid class delivery as among the most significant education transformations during his time as president. 

Smith highlighted the University’s upgrades in recent years to academic buildings such as Sill Hall and Strong Hall. He also discussed the recent $200 million Welcome Home plan to transform campus housing, Smith discussed the completion of the new Lakeview and Westview apartments that opened this fall. “Those facilities are second to none,” said Smith. “We also remodeled other units on campus. Everything now is air conditioned. Everything is high-speed internet. We’ve tried to look to the smallest of details to make the student experience the best we can make it.”

The segment concluded with a discussion about Smith’s priorities for the next two years, which include a further emphasis on growing academic programs, community engagement, and philanthropy to support student success. 

Now in its eighth season, EMU Today TV, produced by the University’s Division of Communications, highlights programs, events and initiatives at Eastern Michigan University.

Mark S. Lee is the host of EMU Today TV. Lee is an Eastern Michigan University alum and part-time lecturer of marketing at Eastern. He is the host of the podcast, "In the Conference Room", and is featured in a weekly business segment, "Strictly Business", on CBS News Detroit. Lee also is a frequent contributor to various Detroit-area media outlets on business topics. 

This episode, and previous editions can be viewed on the University's YouTube channel.

About Eastern Michigan University
Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 13,000 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. National publications regularly recognize EMU for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. Visit the University’s rankings and points of pride websites to learn more. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website. To stay up to date on University news, activities and announcements, visit EMU Today.