Presidential Search
Update from the Chair
August 1
Jay Noren Swearing-In Ceremony as 10th president of Wayne State University
Open to the university community
Contact Special Events and Services at (313) 577-0300 for more information
Dear Campus Community Members,
I am pleased to announce that on May 14, during a special meeting, the Wayne State University Board of Governors voted unanimously to appoint Jay Noren, MD, as the university’s 10th president. Dr. Noren will succeed President Irvin D. Reid, who is stepping down July 31 after a decade at our university. Dr. Noren’s appointment is effective Aug. 1.
Dr. Noren currently serves as dean of the College of Public Health at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He has previously served as executive vice president and provost at the University of Nebraska; vice chancellor for health sciences at the University of Wisconsin as well as acting dean for allied health and associate vice chancellor at Wisconsin; chancellor of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities; and president of the Health Science Center and vice chancellor for health affairs at the Texas A&M University System.
Dr. Noren's research and teaching emphases have focused on health services research, health policy and health politics, health services leadership and management, health workforce, the role and operation of academic health centers, Native American health care and executive education. He has two bachelors’ degrees and a medical degree from the University of Minnesota, and a master’s in public health from Harvard.
The appointment follows an extensive, seven-month national search. Dr. Noren brings exemplary credentials and skills and has a strong background in higher education leadership. The Board of Governors extends its sincere thanks to the members of the Presidential Search Committee for their dedication and commitment to the university, and to the search process that began in late fall and culminated with this decision. We look forward to continued success under Dr. Noren’s leadership.
Dr. Noren isn’t the only academic leader in his family. His wife, Sheri Noren Everts, recently was named vice president for academic affairs and provost at Illinois State University. Sheri received her bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and is the interim senior vice chancellor for academic and student affairs at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. She begins her new position at ISU July 1. Sheri was on campus with us this week, and we hope to see her frequently as she and her husband travel between our two universities.
We hope everyone will join with the Board of Governors in welcoming Dr. Noren and Dr. Sheri Noren Everts to the Wayne State community!
Sincerely,
Eugene Driker, Chair
WSU Board of Governors
