Mary Sue Coleman
President Mary Sue Coleman has lead the University since the University Board of Regents appointed her to the post of president in August 2002.
In her time at the helm of the University, Coleman has been an earnest maize-and-blue flag carrier, overseeing a significant period of construction in Ann Arbor and expansion across the world. Coleman's political savvy has helped her to traverse the treacherous political terrain and competing demands of the University faculty, students, Board of Regents and state politics.
Coleman spent much of her career as a biochemist at the University of Kentucky. During her 19 years at Kentucky, her research focused mainly on malignancies and the immune system.
In 1990, Coleman became the associate provost and dean of research at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, before becoming UNC-Chapel Hill’s vice chancellor for graduate studies and research. Coleman was named provost and vice president for academic affairs at the University of New Mexico in 1993, where she served for two years before becoming the president of the University of Iowa in 1995.
Coleman earned her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Grinnell College in 1965 and a doctorate in biochemistry from the University of North Carolina in 1969. Coleman also holds honorary doctorates from Grinnell College, Luther College, the University of Kentucky, Albion College, Dartmouth College, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Northeastern University, the University of Toledo and the University of Notre Dame.
In addition to her role as University president, Coleman currently serves on the boards of Johnson & Johnson and the Meredith Corporation, a media and marketing company. She is also a trustee on the Gerald R. Ford Foundation and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.
Coleman lives in the president’s house on South University Avenue with her husband Kenneth, who is a political science professor at the University, and the couple’s two cats, Gerry and Betty, named for President Gerald R. Ford and his wife. The couple also has one son, Jonathan, who lives in Denver, Colorado with his wife and their daughter.
Recent articles
Snyder's budget proposal to increase higher education funding
4 hours ago
BY ADAM RUBENFIRE
Republican Gov. Rick Snyder announced his recommendations for Michigan’s fiscal year 2013 budget today in Lansing, which include a 3.1-percent hike in funding for public universities.
Coleman talks gym renovations at fireside chat
4 hours ago
- Todd Needle/Daily
BY PETER SHAHIN
University President Mary Sue Coleman and E. Royster Harper, the University’s vice president for student affairs, discussed potential renovations to recreational facilities and improving transportation on campus at a fireside chat yesterday at the Michigan Union.
Administration
Board of Regents approves athletic facility upgrades
- Adam Glanzman/Daily
BY PETER SHAHIN
The University’s Board of Regents unanimously approved a host of projects at its first meeting of the year yesterday, including renovations to Yost Ice Arena, Schembechler Hall, the Edward Henry Krause Building Auditorium and Northwood Apartments I, II and III.
Coleman champions affordable education in letter to Obama
BY PETER SHAHIN
University President Mary Sue Coleman’s Christmas letter to President Barack Obama was a bit more pointed than the average holiday card.
Snyder presents Michigan Green Chemistry Governor's Award
- Adam Schnitzer/Daily
BY PETER SHAHIN
For the first time in the history of the Michigan Green Chemistry Governor’s Award, the governor presented the award to the recipients.
Deans share opposition to GSRA unionization
BY JOSEPH LICHTERMAN
University officials have previously expressed in public their concern about the University’s recent move to grant graduate student research assistants the right to union. And recently, the majority of deans have also shared their opinions to University Provost Philip Hanlon in a private letter.
Coleman outlines new University sustainability goals
- Terra Molengraff/Daily
BY PAIGE PEARCY
University President Mary Sue Coleman introduced an ambitious new set of sustainability goals that the University will start working toward this year and are projected to be completed by 2025, including changes to the University’s transportation, emissions and academic offerings.
Coleman greets hundreds of students at annual open house
- Erin Kirkland/Daily
BY JOSEPH LICHTERMAN
University President Mary Sue Coleman smiled and greeted students, including one who told her he wanted Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg to speak at Spring Commencement, at her on-campus home yesterday.
• VIDEO: Students appreciate opportunity to meet 'U' president
Regents Notebook
Coleman donates 2.75-percent pay raise back to the University
- Chris Ryba/Daily
BY KAITLIN WILLIAMS
University President Mary Sue Coleman received a 2.75-percent pay raise at the University's Board of Regents meeting today but promptly returned it to the University.
Secretary of Education Arne Duncan talks school reformation
BY MIKE KUNTZ
In a visit to campus yesterday, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan praised the University’s School of Education and stressed the importance of education in helping to boost the economy.
9/11 Commemorative Edition
Coleman remembers 9/11 in Iowa
BY JOSEPH LICHTERMAN
• LEE BOLLINGER: The former University president returned to Ann Arbor from New York following 9/11.
• JAMES DUDERSTADT: The former University president flew to New York several days after the attacks.
Report: Pell Grant rates at 'U' fall in recent years
BY ADAM RUBENFIRE
Though the University boasts one of the 50 largest endowments in the country, a recent report faults the University and other wealthy schools for failing to adequately attract and serve students with financial need in recent years.
Gov. Snyder to deliver address at graduation
- Terra Molengraff/Daily
BY KYLE SWANSON
Republican Gov. Rick Snyder is expected to return to his alma mater next month to address this year’s graduating class as the Spring Commencement speaker.
Coleman talks higher education budget before committee
BY JOSEPH LICHTERMAN
LANSING — Since he took office in January, Republican Gov. Rick Snyder has repeatedly spoken about the “shared sacrifice” required to right Michigan’s economy and balance the state’s budget.
Students tell Coleman of concerns for their futures
BY KYLE SWANSON
Students shared their concerns with University President Mary Sue Coleman yesterday at Coleman's fireside chat. Each student provided a slightly different story, but the overall issue was clear — students are unsure about how a University degree translates into a successful career.
