May 8, 2025

Dear colleagues, students, and alumni:

It is with great humility and pride that I step into the interim role of president of this extraordinary university. I thank the Board of Regents for their faith and trust in me. As proud Michigan alumni, my wife, Susan, and I share a profound and enduring affection for this world-class institution.

For more than two centuries, the University of Michigan has stood as a global leader — a transformative force for good in education, research, and health care, not to mention its unparalleled legacy in athletics. During my time as interim president, my focus will be clear: to support the well-being of our three campuses, to pursue our academic mission, and to foster a vibrant environment where the best minds continue to thrive, unblinkered and unfettered.

We will have time to get to know each other in the days ahead. I share common threads with many of you: I am a first-generation college student, a military veteran, an engineer with a deep appreciation for the liberal arts, a professor, and an administrator. What energizes and inspires me is the shared bond in our love and respect for one another and this great university.

Nonetheless, it is with mixed emotions that I transition from my position at UM-Dearborn, a campus I have proudly led and come to cherish for the past seven years. Together with my colleagues, we have achieved so much — remarkable milestones I will always treasure. Moving to Ann Arbor, I will expand my aperture and take on this broader responsibility.

The University of Michigan is a respected leader in higher education because of its people — in Ann Arbor, Dearborn, and Flint. I look forward to working with each of you and serving this remarkable university in the months ahead.

Forever Go Blue!

Domenico Grasso, PhD
President