ANN ARBOR, MI -- For parents with students heading to the University of Michigan this fall, there are a number of people you should know who make key decisions on the Ann Arbor campus.
Here's a list of key administrators for the 2025-26 school year you should know.
Domenico Grasso, Interim President
Grasso became the university's interim president in May after former President Santa Ono stepped down to attempt to become president at the University of Florida.
Grasso, the former chancellor at the UM-Dearborn campus, now oversees the university's teaching, research, library, museum and other programs. He is also in charge of supporting faculty and staff, managing university business, maintaining student order and representing the university in major public and fundraising events.
Grasso is also a professor of civil and environmental engineering at UM-Ann Arbor and holds a secondary appointment as a professor of sustainable engineering at UM-Dearborn.
At Dearborn, he led the transition to a need-based financial aid system, increased the school's four-year graduation rate by 16%, and strengthened external research funding.
He announced he will not seek the permanent president job. The Board of Regents is currently seeking candidates for that position.
Laurie McCauley, Provost
Dr. McCauley has served as the UM Provost and Executive Vice President and Academic Affairs since May 2022. Her responsibilities include overseeing UM's academic and budgetary affairs and receiving updates from UM's 19 schools.
Before serving as Provost, McCauley was the Dean of the UM School of Dentistry, where she worked towards reducing student debt and supported a $142 million expansion and renovation of the school's facilities. She is also the William K. and Mary Anne Najjar Professor of Periodontics in the School of Dentistry and a professor of pathology in the Medical School.
David C. Miller, Chief Executive Officer of Michigan Medicine
Dr. Miller has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Michigan Medicine, UM's academic medical center, and UM Executive Vice President for Medical since July 2025. In his role, he leads the center's advancements in clinical care, medical research, interdisciplinary educational initiatives, and community engagement.
Miller previously served as UM Medical School's Executive Vice Dean for Clinical Affairs and President of UM Health from 2021 to 2025. He oversaw UM Health's strategic, operational, research, and financial performance for close to 20,000 employees and over 1.3 million patients. He also guided Michigan Medicine's COVID-19 response.
Geoffrey Chatas, UM Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Chatas is UM's Chief Financial Officer, where he advises Grasso on university financial matters. He draws up items for Board of Regents approval that include investments, project approvals and property acquisitions or sales. He also manages the university's more than $19 billion endowment.
Chatas also has a love for Grand Canyon National Park.
The UM Board of Regents are the governors ultimately in charge of campus. It consists of eight members elected by Michigan residents to eight year terms, and their responsibilities include approving the university's annual budget, determining tuition rates, approving construction projects and advising on new university president appointments.
The current members of the UM Board of Regents are:
Jordan B. Acker (elected in 2019) is a Democrat and personal injury lawyer at Goodman Acker P.C. based in Southfield. He is in his first term on the board, which expires in 2027.
Acker has been the target of multiple vandalism attacks from pro-Palestinian protesters demanding UM divestment from Israel, including his law firm's office and his home. He is Jewish and has condemned the attacks as anti-Semitic.
As chair of the board in 2021, he led the university through the Dr. Robert Anderson sexual abuse scandal, resulting in a $490 million settlement for more than 1,000 abuse survivors.
Acker recently called for an investigation into fellow Regent Sarah Hubbard over her business ties to health insurer Blue Cross Blue Shield Michigan.
Michael J. Behm (reelected to second term in 2022) is the president and owner of Flint-based law firm Behm and Behm. He was first elected in 2014. The Democrat's current term expires in 2031.
He is a former Board chair, and during his first term he helped start the "Go Blue Guarantee," an initiative to provide free tuition for up to four years to high-performing, in-state, full-time undergraduates from households who made less than $65,000. That initiative expanded this year to $125,000.
Mark J. Bernstein (reelected to second term in 2020) is the president and managing partner of The Sam Bernstein Law Firm, PLLC. He was first elected to the board in 2012. His current term expires in 2029.
He has spoken out on the importance of university medical research funding in response to President Donald Trump's attacks on the National Institute of Health's diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. He also approved a policy stating that the university should not take political positions on non-university matters.
Paul W. Brown (elected in 2018) is a managing partner at eLab Ventures, a Michigan-based venture capital firm. The Northern Michigan Democrat was first elected to the board in 2018 and served as board chair in 2022-23. His current term expires in 2027.
In May, he voted no to implement liquor licenses at Michigan Stadium due to his opposition as to how alcohol will change the stadium energy. He has also voiced pride in the university's increased labor representation in the last decade.
Sarah Hubbard (elected in 2020) is a co-owner of the Lansing-based lobbying firm Acuitas. The Republican is in her first board term, which expires in 2029.
She served as board chair in 2023-24. During her tenure, she advocated for changes in its diversity and equity initiatives, drawing campus push back. She also was in charge during the board's approval of a new $631 million Central Campus housing project set to bring 2,300 extra student beds by 2026.
Denise Ilitch (reelected to third term in 2024) is the owner of Ilitch Family Companies and president of Ilitch Enterprises, LLC. The Democrat was first elected to the board in 2008 and was reelected in 2016 and 2024. Her current term expires in 2033.
She recused herself from a May vote to build a 13-story tower for UM housing in downtown Detroit for a new satellite campus currently under construction. The housing developers are part of the Ilitch family organization's Olympia Development of Michigan and New York-based real estate firm Related Companies.
She has also advocated for the university to add a varsity women's hockey program.
Carl J. Meyers (elected in 2024 is the senior vice president of investments at Raymond James Financial. The Republican is in his first board term, which expires in 2033.
A former Michigan GOP treasurer, his First Financial Strategies office in Plymouth were the target of a vandalism attack in April over alleged ties to the war in Gaza. In April, Meyers did not respond to a request for comment on the attack.
Katherine E. White (reelected to fourth term in 2022) is a law professor at the Wayne State University Law School and a Brigadier General in the U.S. Army National Guard. The Democrat was first elected to the board in 1998 and was re-elected in 2006, 2014, and 2022. Her current term expires in 2031.