On April 1, 2026, Brendan Kelly officially assumed office as the 24th president of Eastern Michigan University, marking a significant moment for the institution as it welcomes back one of its own. A two-time EMU graduate, Kelly’s return represents both a homecoming and a new chapter in the university’s leadership.
Over the past month, Kelly has worked closely with outgoing president James Smith to ensure a smooth transition. Since March 1, Kelly has served as a salaried employment consultant at EMU, preparing to take on the responsibilities of the presidency and familiarizing himself with current campus initiatives and challenges.
Kelly previously served as thePresident of Arkansas State University System, a role he began in September of 2024. Despite his short tenure, Kelly made it clear that the opportunity to lead EMU was uniquely compelling. Speaking at a December press conference, he emphasized the personal significance of the position.
“I never, ever, ever, ever, ever anticipated leaving my current post in such a brief time. Never in a million years,” Kelly said. “When I applied for this job, I made it really clear: I am not applying for any jobs right now. I am applying for this job. This institution is unlike any in the country for us."
Looking ahead, Kelly outlined several key priorities for his presidency during the December press conference. Among them are improving student retention and enrollment, addressing student experience concerns such as parking and dining, exploring financial concerns that may be affecting students, and better aligning the campus community to EMU’s brand.
“If it is a critical priority for students that attend this university, then it is a critical priority for me,” Kelly told The Echo during a press conference in December.
In an email sent to students on the morning of April 1, Kelly wrote, "My commitment is simple: to ensure every one of you feels supported, prepared, and confident as you pursue your goals." He included a video of his first message to students as president.
In a statement from EMU Today, Kelly explained the personal importance of this new role and the urgency of the work ahead of him.
“This work is personal to me. Eastern Michigan University shaped my life — first as a student, then as a scholar, and now as a leader," Kelly said. "Today is not just a beginning; it’s a call to action. We don’t have a minute to waste. Our students are counting on us, our communities are counting on us, and the state of Michigan is counting on us."
Kelly has also emphasized the role of a positive mindset when achieving success. In a recent episode of The Eastern Echo's Living Lanterns podcast, Kelly explained the power of positive thinking.
“The way we talk about ourselves often defines what we are capable of … If we want to be successful and we want to accomplish goals that we set for ourselves, you don't start off with ‘I can't do this,’ you start off with ‘I can and I will and we will figure it out along the way,’” Kelly said.
