EMU Today

YPSILANTI — Eastern Michigan University has named Holly Lynn Baumgartner, Ph.D., associate provost and vice president for graduate studies and research. Baumgartner brings a wealth of experience to Eastern, having served as dean of the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences and Guy Harvey Oceanographic Research Center at Nova Southeastern University in Florida since 2021. 

At Nova Southeastern, Baumgartner and her leadership team managed a budget of more than $100 million in revenue and conducted hiring, contracts, evaluation, promotion, and professional development for more than 260 full-time faculty and staff. She led the development and implementation of a new vision and four-year strategic plan for the college, incorporating faculty, to achieve or make progress on more than 170 initiatives. She integrated two former colleges into one, and managed the creation of several centers and institutes, including revitalizing the National Coral Reef Institute and the Center for Applied Humanities. Baumgartner achieved research objectives in a college that submitted 102 proposals totaling more than $95 million in asks last year, with 69 new awards in 2024 totaling more than $22 million, and 66 active external awards totaling more than $45 million.

Baumgartner also led two successful congressional earmark requests: one for coral reef research at $3.89 million and one for $963,000 for coral nursery expansion. She is also the principal investigator on other federal grants from the US Geological Survey, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the National Science Foundation. She has raised over $5 million in foundation and donor gifts for research, scholarships, and program support. Under Baumgartner’s leadership, new graduate programs like medicinal chemistry and undergraduate medical humanities were created.

In announcing the appointment of Baumgartner, which followed a national search, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs Rhonda Longworth said, “Dr. Baumgartner brings a deep breadth of leadership and experience that will help lift our research and graduate studies initiatives to new heights. I am delighted to welcome her to the EMU community.” 

Previously, Baumgartner served as dean of the Getty College of Arts and Sciences at Ohio Northern University from 2017-2021, and dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Lourdes University in Ohio from 2013-2017. She has served as a professor and in many other academic roles during her career, including serving on and chairing peer review teams with the Higher Learning Commission. Her scholarly efforts are included in more than 20 publications, and she was selected as a Florida Humanities State Speaker for the last two years.

At EMU, Baumgartner will serve as a member of the provost’s academic administrative leadership team, providing advice and counsel on the development of long-range plans for sponsored research and other activities; graduate education; development and support of faculty and student research and scholarly/creative activities; technology transfer; and compliance with state and federal research regulations, including export controls and research safety. She will supervise the Director of the Office of Research Development and Administration, the Director of the Graduate School, the Research Compliance Officer, the Technology Transfer Officer, and the faculty associate for Undergraduate Research. 

In accepting the appointment, Baumgartner said, “I am truly inspired by the students, staff, and faculty I met on campus and I am already thinking about the strategic ways to support them in this new role. I am passionate about graduate education and about research, but even more I am invested in foregrounding the work that is already being accomplished along with finding new opportunities to grow these areas at EMU. Likewise, teaching and research walk hand in hand, and EMU exemplifies a balanced effort to produce both. To be honest, I'm pretty excited."

Baumgartner earned her Ph.D. in English (Rhetoric and Writing; Ethics Cognate), and a master of arts in American Culture Studies from Bowling Green State University, and received dual bachelor of arts degrees in English Literature and Classical Studies (Ancient Greek) from the University of Toledo. 

Longworth further acknowledged the exceptional work of Steven Pernecky, Ph.D., who provided interim leadership as associate provost and associate vice president of graduate studies and research for the past two years. Pernecky also serves as a professor in the Chemistry Department. “Dr. Pernecky has been a tremendous asset to this position in the most challenging of times. He has led with integrity and provided distinguished service to EMU in a number of administrative roles for many years. Dr. Pernecky has met the call whenever we have sought his leadership and I have no doubt he will continue to play key roles in moving the university forward in the years ahead.”

Longworth also thanked the University committee that led the search effort:

• Ryan Gildersleeve, dean, college of education (search chair)
• Jessica 'Decky' Alexander, professor of applied drama/theatre, director of the Office of Engage@EMU
• Jessica Elton, professor of communication
• Tierney McCleary, professor, technology and professional services management

Baumgartner begins her role at Eastern Michigan University on June 21, 2025, pending approval by the University’s Board of Regents. 

About Eastern Michigan University
Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves nearly 13,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and its graduate school. National publications regularly recognize EMU for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. Visit the University’s rankings and points of pride websites to learn more. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website. To stay up to date on University news, activities and announcements, visit EMU Today.