Two new regents will begin terms on Eastern Michigan University's Board of Regents in January 2027.
Appointed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Christopher Kaufman and Kirk Profit are set to begin terms starting Jan. 1, 2027, succeeding outgoing regents Chad Newton and Michael Hawks, whose terms end in December 2026.
These appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Michigan Senate.
Profit, of Ann Arbor, is a former member of the Michigan House of Representatives and former co-owner of Governmental Consulting Services Inc., a written statement from the governor’s office said. He will succeed Newton.
Profit has a Bachelor of Science in philosophy and political science from EMU and a juris doctorate degree from the University of Detroit Mercy. He graduated from EMU in 1975, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Kaufman, of Detroit, is the co-founder of StockX, an online marketplace and clothing reseller with a focus on sneakers. He will succeed Hawks.
Kaufman has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from EMU, a Master of Fine Arts from Cranbrook Academy of Art, and a Master of Science in Learning and Organizational Change from Northwestern University.
Kaufman is the author of the book “Empathy at Work: Building Better Businesses Through People-First Leadership." He recently visited EMU’s campus to share business tips and advice from his book during a fireside chat.
Profit works as a lawyer and legal consultant at Profit Legal Services, PLLC, his LinkedIn said. He serves on the board of directors of Michigan Future Inc., which its website describes as a Michigan-focused, nonpartisan, nonprofit think tank.
Both Kaufman and Profit have experience as adjunct faculty members at EMU, said their LinkedIn profiles. Kaufman serves on the advisory board for the Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation at EMU.
In a written statement, EMU Board of Regents Chairman Nate Ford praised Profit and Kaufman for the leadership they will bring to the university.
“Chris brings a powerful entrepreneurial perspective and deep ties to our academic mission, while Kirk’s extensive public service and legal experience strengthen our governance and community connections,” Ford said in the statement. “We are grateful to Governor Whitmer for appointing leaders who understand the transformative impact of higher education and who share Eastern’s commitment to opportunity, equity, and service.”
In a post on his LinkedIn, Kaufman called himself a proud alum of EMU and said he was honored to be appointed to the Board of Regents.
"Higher education is at an inflection point, and institutions like EMU play a critical role in expanding opportunity, driving regional growth, and preparing students for a rapidly changing world," Kaufman said in his post.
As the governing body of EMU, the Board of Regents is granted by Michigan’s Constitution “general supervision of the institution and the control and direction of all expenditures from the institution’s funds.” Additionally, the regents have the power to elect the university’s president.
Regents make decisions for the university, such as setting policies and approving the cost of tuition. There are eight regents on the board, all of whom are appointed by the governor.
Regent Hawks, whose term expires at the end of this year, was appointed by Former Gov. Rick Snyder in 2011, then later reappointed. Regent Newton, who will also finish his term at the end of this year, was appointed by Whitmer in 2021 to finish out the term of Former Regent Rich Baird.
