Lynn Perry Wooten

Lynn Perry Wooten
Name	Lynn Perry Wooten
Alma mater	University of Michigan, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Occupation	Academic administrator, scholar
Title	President of the University of Michigan
Predecessor	Santa J. Ono
Successor	Incumbent

Lynn Perry Wooten is an American academic administrator and scholar who serves as the president of the University of Michigan. A distinguished expert in organizational behavior and strategic management, her career has spanned leadership roles at Cornell University and the University of Michigan Ross School of Business. Wooten's scholarship focuses on positive organizational scholarship and crisis leadership, and she is recognized for her commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education.

Early life and education

Lynn Perry Wooten grew up in North Carolina, where her early experiences shaped her interest in education and community development. She pursued her undergraduate studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, earning a Bachelor of Science in business administration. Wooten then attended the University of Michigan, where she completed both a Master of Business Administration and a Doctor of Philosophy in business administration, specializing in organizational behavior and human resource management. Her doctoral research was influenced by prominent scholars at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business.

Academic career

Wooten began her academic career as a faculty member at the University of Florida Warrington College of Business. She later joined the faculty at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business, where she held several key leadership positions, including Senior Associate Dean for Student and Academic Excellence. Her administrative acumen led to her appointment as the David J. Nolan Dean of the Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management at Cornell University. In this role, she oversaw significant growth in research initiatives and student enrollment, while strengthening ties with industry partners and alumni networks.

University of Michigan presidency

In July 2024, the University of Michigan Board of Regents unanimously selected Lynn Perry Wooten as the university's 15th president, succeeding Santa J. Ono. Her appointment marked a historic moment as she became the first African American woman to lead the University of Michigan. Key priorities of her presidency include advancing the University of Michigan's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion strategic plan, expanding interdisciplinary research collaborations across campuses in Ann Arbor, Dearborn, and Flint, and enhancing the university's engagement with the state of Michigan and global community.

Research and publications

Wooten's research portfolio centers on how organizations and leaders navigate crisis management and foster resilience. She is a leading contributor to the field of positive organizational scholarship, co-authoring influential works such as *Positive Organizing in a Global Society*. Her scholarly articles have been published in top-tier journals including the Academy of Management Journal, Organization Science, and the Harvard Business Review. Wooten has also provided expert commentary for media outlets like CNN, The New York Times, and National Public Radio on topics related to corporate governance and workplace diversity.

Awards and honors

Throughout her career, Wooten has received numerous accolades for her leadership and scholarship. She was named a Fellow of the Academy of Management and has been recognized by Poets&Quants as one of the "Most Influential Business School Deans." The University of Michigan awarded her the Distinguished Alumni Award for her professional achievements and service. She has also served on the boards of several organizations, including the Committee on Institutional Cooperation and the United Way of Tompkins County.

Personal life

Lynn Perry Wooten is married and has two children. She maintains strong connections to her roots in North Carolina and is an active member of her local community in Ann Arbor. An advocate for mentorship and professional development, she frequently participates in programs supporting first-generation college students and women in leadership. In her personal time, Wooten enjoys reading, travel, and attending University of Michigan Wolverines athletic events.

Category:American university presidents Category:University of Michigan alumni Category:University of Michigan faculty Category:21st-century American women