On the morning of April 13, 2026, Brendan Kelly, Eastern Michigan University's 24th president, sent an email to the EMU community informing students, faculty and staff about changes to the administrative leadership team at EMU.
For several years, Rhonda Longworth has held the leadership position in the Office of the Provost. Kelly's email announced that Longworth will be transitioning to a faculty position May 1, 2026. Until then, an interim provost will take her place, serving until EMU can find a permanent replacement.
Kelly said he has chosen David Schecter to serve as the interim provost. Schector has a history with other institutions in the roles of provost and president. He was the president of East Georgia State College until his retirement in June 2025. He also previously held the position of provost and senior vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of South Carolina Upstate. According to a spring 2020 magazine report from USC Upstate, Schecter joined the university shortly after Kelly left his position there as chancellor to serve as president at the University of West Georgia.
Schecter also served as associate vice president for faculty affairs and then vice provost at California State University. The email stated that Schector will begin his duties as interim provost this week when he arrives in Ypsilanti. He will serve as interim provost without the option to apply for the permanent position, the email said.
Additionally, Kelly announced that there will be a change within the Office of the President. EMU Chief of Staff Leigh Greden is leaving his position by the end of April 2026. Greden has a collection of projects he needs to complete before then, the email informed, and then he will step away from the chief of staff position.
"After many years of service during President Smith’s administration (and preceding it), Leigh Greden and I have agreed that he will step away from his role as Chief of Staff as he is interested in spending much more time with his family," Kelly said in the email. "His long service to Eastern Michigan University and his deep knowledge of the institution have been important to the work of the Office of the President. I want to thank him for his long service to Eastern Michigan University."
In the email, Kelly said higher education is going through a period of transformation, and EMU is not immune to those changes and pressures.
"Presidential transitions always come with change. Right now, every day in higher education comes with change," Kelly said in the email. "When the Board of Regents hired me, I was given clear expectations for desired outcomes in the best interest of achieving a positive future state for EMU. It is with those expectations in mind that we will advance hiring for key leadership roles and implement a strategy focused on enhancing the experience of students and providing greater strategic stability for the institution."
