CMURC Board of Directors Unites Academic + Industry Leaders to Drive Innovation Across the Region

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich., April 24, 2025 – Central Michigan University Board of Trustees has approved new appointments and reappointments to the Central Michigan University Research Corporation (CMURC) Board of Directors, finalizing a full and robust team of academic and industry leaders dedicated to driving innovation and entrepreneurship across the Great Lakes Bay Region. 

This Board reflects CMURC’s commitment to strengthening industry-academic partnerships while building a leadership foundation that supports entrepreneurial growth and innovation. By uniting private-sector expertise with academic insight, CMURC is driving collaboration that transforms research into real-world solutions, supports entrepreneurial success, and accelerates economic development across Michigan. 

Among the approved appointments: Patricia Franklin-Lindsey, Vice President and Community Development Relationship Manager at Huntington Bank and Melissa Skalitzky, Regional Manager and Senior Vice President at PNC Bank. CMU Trustee and Director of State Government Affairs for Dow Jeff Stoutenburg and Vice President for University Engagement and Student Affairs Shawna Patterson-Stephens have both been reappointed.  

“The CMURC Board represents a powerful coalition of higher education and private-sector leadership, working in tandem to advance innovation and entrepreneurship throughout Michigan,” said CMU President Neil MacKinnon, chairperson of the CMURC Board of Directors. “This collective expertise is essential to building bridges between research and real-world impact.” 

With these appointments, the CMURC Board now comprises five private-sector leaders and eight representatives from Central Michigan University. This diverse and balanced leadership team is focused on advancing research commercialization and strengthening the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. 

“This Board brings together a remarkable range of perspectives, from banking and economic development to academic leadership, that aligns directly with CMURC’s mission,” said CMURC President + CEO Erin Strang. “With their support, we’re deepening connections between universities and industries to better serve entrepreneurs and scale regional growth.” 

The appointees will join the CMU representatives: President Neil MacKinnon; Vice President and CFO Mary Moran Hill; Provost Paula Lancaster; Vice President Shawna Patterson-Stephens; Interim Vice President Kaleb Patrick; Associate Vice President Toby Roth; Trustee Jeff Stoutenburg; and Director Julie Messing. They will also serve alongside private-sector leaders Felicia Harris, Bob Johnson, and Dan Ward.

As CMURC continues to align academic insight with private-sector agility, the organization remains committed to creating meaningful opportunities for entrepreneurs, startups, and partners across the state. For more information about CMURC and its resources, visit www.cmurc.com