Mission, Vision & Leadership

Office of the Chancellor

Our Mission

The University of Michigan-Flint is a comprehensive urban university of diverse learners and scholars committed to advancing our local and global communities. In the University of Michigan tradition, we value excellence in teaching, learning and scholarship; student centeredness; and engaged citizenship. Through personal attention and dedicated faculty and staff, our students become leaders and best in their fields, professions and communities.

Our Vision

Engaging minds, preparing leaders through academic excellence, student-centeredness and engaged citizenship.

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University Leadership

As one of the three campuses of the University of Michigan, UM-Flint is also governed by the U-M Board of Regents. The organizational structure of UM-Flint is led by the chancellor, who serves as the chief executive officer. The chancellor is supported by a cabinet representing Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Business and Finance, Enrollment Management and Advancement, as well as a senior leadership team that assembles academic and non-academic leadership. Both are advisory to the chancellor and meet in alternating weeks throughout the year.

The Cabinet

Laurence B. Alexander was named chancellor of the University of Michigan-Flint, May 16, 2024, and took office July 1, 2024. Alexander comes to the downtown campus after serving 11 years as chancellor of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Alexander brings more than three decades of combined professional and academic experience as a university leader, administrator, distinguished professor, First Amendment scholar, attorney and journalist. A native of New Orleans, Alexander earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of New Orleans, a master’s degree in journalism and communications from the University of Florida, a Juris Doctor from Tulane University, and a PhD in higher education from Florida State University. His dissertation, “Public Forum Doctrine in Higher Education: Student Rights and Institutional Prerogatives,” was recognized with the national Joseph C. Beckham Dissertation of the Year Award from the Education Law Association.

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Abby Parrill-Baker was appointed provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Michigan-Flint, effective June 1, 2025, with tenure in green chemistry and biochemistry. She previously served as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Memphis, where she led more than 400 full-time faculty members, expanded pathways to professional schools, and helped secure more than $5 million in funding for experiential learning. Parrill-Baker earned her bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University and a master’s degree in chemistry and a doctorate in chemistry, both from the University of Arizona. During her time as interim provost at Memphis, she played a key role in implementing a responsibility-centered management budget model and collaborated on statewide efforts to improve degree program evaluation. Her earlier administrative experience includes serving as associate dean and chair of chemistry. A respected scholar in computational and medicinal chemistry, Parrill-Baker has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed publications, co-edited six books, and holds six patents, with research support from major national funding agencies. She has been honored for her research and teaching, including receiving the Willard R. Sparks Eminent Faculty Award from the University of Memphis.

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Christopher M. Giordano was appointed vice chancellor of student affairs effective Aug. 1, 2018. Giordano holds a doctorate in higher education from the University of Toledo, a master’s in counseling services from Upsala College in New Jersey, and a bachelor’s from Rowan University. He also earned a graduate certificate in organizational learning from Suffolk University. Giordano has more than 25 years of experience in higher education and student affairs, most recently serving as the assistant vice president/dean of students at the City University of New York, College of Staten Island. Before CUNY, Giordano served in progressively responsible student affairs leadership roles at the University of Connecticut, Suffolk University, Long Island University, and Owens Community College. Giordano is well-versed in all aspects of student affairs, with broad management experience, strategic and operational leadership, and a deep commitment to student success and urban higher education.

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Shari Schrader was appointed vice chancellor for university advancement effective July 12, 2021. Originally from Michigan, Schrader is a graduate of Central Michigan University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and public relations. She has also completed coursework at the Lilly School of Philanthropy and has more than 25 years of progressive experience in educational fundraising. As a successful higher education development professional, Schrader has an impressive record of securing major gifts that benefit campuses and communities. Before her arrival at the University of Michigan-Flint, Schrader worked at Purdue University/Purdue Research Foundation for 18 years in leadership roles, managing teams that delivered strong results to achieve institutional goals. Schrader currently leads a seasoned development and alumni relations team at UM-Flint.

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James Hargett brings nearly 30 years of financial leadership experience, including more than 24 years in higher education, to UM‑Flint. Previously, he served as associate vice president for finance and controller at Oakland University, and from 2021 to 2022, he served as interim vice president for finance and administration and as treasurer to the board of trustees. A 1995 graduate of Central Michigan University with a Bachelor of Business Administration, Jim is a certified public accountant and a chartered global management accountant. He remains active in professional organizations, including the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Michigan Association of CPAs, NACUBO, and the National Council of University Research Administrators. At UM‑Flint, he will oversee Public Safety, Facilities and Operations, Financial Services and Contracts, Human Resources, and IT Services, strengthening the foundation that supports the university’s academic mission.

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John M. Ambrose is Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management at the University of Michigan-Flint, a role he assumed on January 1, 2026. He provides executive leadership for enrollment strategy, admissions, financial aid, and student success initiatives, with a focus on access, affordability, and student persistence. He brings more than twenty years of senior leadership experience in higher education enrollment management. Prior to joining UM-Flint, he served at Michigan State University for over sixteen years, most recently as Executive Director of Admissions, where he led undergraduate admissions, graduate, and professional admissions operations, recruitment strategy, and large-scale organizational and technology transformation. A nationally recognized speaker and active professional leader, John has served in executive roles within state and national admissions associations and on numerous university and community boards focused on college access and student success. He holds a master’s degree in Adult Education from Marygrove College and a bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University.

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Chelsea Duncan was appointed chief of staff in the Office of the Chancellor at the University of Michigan-Flint in June 2024. She was named a member of the Cabinet in 2025. Duncan holds a Juris Doctor from Washington University in St. Louis School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts in history from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor.

Duncan has more than a decade of experience in higher education, all at UM-Flint, where she has served in progressively responsible roles, including project manager in the Office of the Chancellor and business intelligence analyst senior in the School of Nursing. She brings extensive experience in institutional effectiveness, data-driven planning, and strategic operations, and is dedicated to advancing the university’s mission through collaboration and informed decision-making.

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Senior Leadership Team

Title	Name
Chancellor	Laurence B. Alexander
Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs	Abby Parrill-Baker
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs	Chris Giordano
Vice Chancellor for University Advancement	Shari Schrader
Vice Chancellor for Business and Finance	James Hargett
Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management	John Ambrose
Assistant Vice Chancellor, Access and Opportunity to the Senior Leadership	David Luke
Vice Provost for Engaged Learning and Teaching Innovation	Sapna Thwaite
Vice Provost for Academic Strategy & Effectiveness	Stephen W. Turner
Chair of the Faculty Senate Council	Gabriela Hristova
Chair of Staff Council	Chris Lewis
Director of Human Resources	Beth Manning
Director of Facilities & Operations	Brian White
Executive Director of the Office of Research & Economic Development	Ken Sylvester
Chief Information Officer	Scott Arnst
Dean of the College of Arts, Sciences & Education	Theodore Rippey
Dean of the College of Innovation & Technology	Chris Pearson
Dean of the College of Health Sciences	Shan Parker
Dean of the School of Management	Yener Kandogan
Dean of the School of Nursing	Cynthia McCurren
Chief of Staff	Chelsea Duncan
Director of Marketing and Communications	Robb King