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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Yener Kandogan was appointed interim provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, effective Jan. 1, 2024. He will continue his role as interim dean of SOM, with the support of a soon-to-be-named associate dean, while serving as interim provost. A professor of international business at UM-Flint, Kandogan is also a faculty associate at the Center for Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies at UM-Ann Arbor. He earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical and electronics engineering and a master’s degree in economics from Bilkent (Turkey) University in 1994 and 1996, respectively, before receiving a PhD in economics from UM-Ann Arbor in 2001. His expertise includes international alliances, free trade agreements, international assignment selection, network analysis of trade, immigration and trade, political economy and trade, and the role of culture/language on trade. He has more than 30 academic publications in various international business and economics journals to his credit.

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Christopher M. Giordano was appointed vice chancellor of student affairs effective August 1, 2018. Dr. Giordano holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education from the University of Toledo, a masters in Counseling Services from Upsala College (NJ), and a bachelors from Rowan University. He also earned a graduate certificate in Organizational Learning from Suffolk University. Dr. Giordano has over 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. Prior to CUNY, Dr. Giordano served in progressively responsible student affairs leadership roles at the University of Connecticut, Suffolk University, Long Island University and Owens Community College. Dr. Giordano is well versed in all aspects of student affairs with broad management experience, strategic and operations 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, Ms. Schrader is a graduate of Central Michigan University with a bachelor 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, Ms. Schrader has an impressive record of securing major gifts that benefit campuses and communities. Prior to her arrival at UM-Flint, Ms. Schrader worked at Purdue University/Purdue Research Foundation for 18 years in leadership roles, managing teams that delivered strong results in order to achieve institutional goals. Ms. Schrader currently leads a seasoned development and alumni relations team at UM-Flint.

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Jerry Glasco was appointed interim vice chancellor for business and finance, Nov. 1, 2023. He had previously served as senior director for the Office of Business & Financial Services since Aug. 23, 2021. Glasco is a proud graduate of UM-Flint with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He has more than 33 years of experience in the University of Michigan system, including time on the Ann Arbor campus in University Audits, Financial Aid, and Financial Analysis and on the Flint campus in Financial Services & Budget, Procurement & Contracts, and Operations & Leasing at the Northbank Center.

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Senior Leadership Team