Kathleen Wilbur

With nearly 30 years of executive leadership experience in the government and higher education sectors, Kathleen Wilbur was named Central Michigan University’s vice president of development and external affairs in January 2011. In this position, she directs and manages the university's government relations program, leads the development and implementation of a comprehensive fundraising program for the university, and oversees the office of alumni relations.

 

Wilbur had served as the university’s vice president for government relations and public affairs since 2002. She also previously held the position of interim president for the university from July 2009 to March 2010 and is a special advisor on the establishment of CMU’s College of Medicine.

 

Prior to joining CMU, Wilbur was the first woman to direct three different state departments, including Michigan’s Department of Consumer and Industry Services, which she established and where she helped oversee a$567 million annual budget and the licensing of more than 1.5 million individuals and entities. A member of Gov. John Engler’s cabinet for 12 years, Wilbur also was chief of staff for Sen. William Sederburg, who chaired the Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee.