OU Alumna Betty Youngblood Tapped as Interim President

The Oakland University Board of Trustees has appointed Oakland alumna Betty J. Youngblood as the university's interim president effective Aug. 1, according to a news release from the university.

Youngblood replaces Gary D. Russi, who has served as president since 1996. Russi announced his retirement from Oakland in mid-June. The university fired his wife, women's basketball coach Beckie Francis, the same day.

Youngblood currently is responsible for all of Oakland University's programs in Macomb County. The University offers programs at three instructional sites in Macomb and annually enrolls about 2,000 students at these sites.

The newest site, the Anton/Frankel Center in Mt. Clemens, is the only instructional site owned by the University away from the main campus in Rochester. In addition to the three instructional sites, and in partnership with the city of Sterling Heights and Macomb County, Oakland University also operates a business incubator in the County.

"I've been pleased to see my alma mater experience such successful growth over the years, and I'm delighted to be in a position to contribute to that momentum," Youngblood said.

"Oakland has come to play a critical role in the health and vitality of the region, and I look forward to working with the outstanding faculty, staff, students, alumni and supporters who've helped make that happen. Together, we'll keep the university on course toward a new era of growth and opportunity."

Prior to coming to Oakland, Youngblood held a variety of leadership positions, including serving as president of the University of Wisconsin-Superior, Western Oregon University and Lake Superior State University. She holds a Ph.D. in political science and a master of arts in South Asian area studies from the University of Minnesota, as well as a bachelor of arts in South Asian area studies from Oakland. She is a native of Macomb County.

Youngblood also served in the positions of vice president for academic affairs, college vice president, dean, director of academic services, registrar and academic advisor at a number of institutions across the country, following 10 years of full-time university teaching in political science.

She is a specialist in comparative methodology and comparative government and politics. Her research focused on political party development in northwestern India, and she has met with many influential national and state government officials during trips there.

In a broader capacity, she has served as an evaluator for the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges and as a consultant-evaluator for the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. She also has served on as well as led evaluation teams at universities across the country.

"Dr. Youngblood's academic roots at Oakland and her breadth of experience and accomplishments in academia make her an ideal candidate to maintain the university's movement forward," said Board of Trustees Chair Michael Kramer.

"We're confident that her talent, knowledge and dedication will help prepare Oakland well for continued growth and success."