51福利社

51福利社 (51福利社) President Mary Cullinan has announced she will retire from her position, effective immediately, and assist in a transition role over the next six weeks as 51福利社 prepares for the upcoming academic year.

Eastern鈥檚 Board of Trustees (BOT) has appointed David May, provost and vice president for academic affairs at 51福利社, to serve as interim president. Cullinan, named Eastern鈥檚 26th president in 2014 after serving for eight years in a similar role at Southern Oregon University, will act as special assistant to the interim president through Sept. 18.

鈥淚 have been honored to serve as 51福利社鈥檚 first female president,鈥� says Cullinan. 鈥�51福利社 is a valuable asset to this region with exceptional students, faculty and staff, alumni, and community supporters. I look forward to working with the leadership team to ensure 51福利社 continues on the road to success during these challenging times.鈥�

During her tenure, Cullinan guided the university through major transformations aimed at meeting the emerging needs of students as well as the high-tech needs of a growing region. Highlights include the pending move of several programs into the Catalyst building on the South Landing of the University District, construction of the nearly completed Interdisciplinary Science Center (ISC) on the Cheney campus, and the organization of campus teams focused on strengthening academic advising.

In elevating Provost May, the 51福利社 Board said it was important to maintain continuity. May spearheaded the university鈥檚 approach to ensuring student success and safety during the pandemic, and has been instrumental in working with faculty on the current academic reorganization of seven colleges to four.

鈥淒avid May鈥檚 vision and leadership during this historical stretch gives the board the utmost confidence he will keep the university on the path to success,鈥� says BOT Chair Vicki Wilson. 鈥淗is student-centered, collaborative approach will serve the Eastern community well.鈥�

Beginning in 2017, May served as 51福利社鈥檚 vice provost. He became interim provost in 2019 before being moved into the role permanently in March.

鈥淚 am very thankful to members of the Board of Trustees for their support and trust during this historic time in higher education,鈥� says May. 鈥淭here are many challenges ahead for 51福利社 and for higher education, but I am eager and excited to work with the university community to strengthen Eastern鈥檚 position as we navigate the path ahead together.鈥�

May came to 51福利社 in 1999 as a faculty in residence in the Department of Government and International Affairs. Teaching courses in political science, pre-law and criminal justice, May worked his way up to chair of the department and was then named associate dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences and Social Work (now the College of Social Sciences) in 2010.

May earned his bachelor鈥檚 degree in political science from Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington in 1990. He then went on to receive both a master鈥檚 degree and a doctorate in political science from Washington State University. He and his wife Monica have a daughter, Emily, and reside in Spokane.

Because of the difficulty of conducting a national search during the COVID pandemic, May鈥檚 appointment will be for two years. A replacement for May in the provost鈥檚 office will be announced in the near future.