Institutional Profile

Founded in 1849, when the state of Michigan was just 12 years old, Michigan State Normal School was designated by the state legislature as the first institution to educate teachers to serve the public schools. The University thus began, somewhat humbly, as the sixth teacher education institution in the nation. A campus that today comprises more than 800 acres was once a four-acre plot with one building and two programs of study – a classical course and an English Course.

The school’s name changed several times ­– to Michigan State Normal College in 1899; to Eastern Michigan College in 1956; and finally to Eastern Michigan University in 1959. During its first 100 years, the institution certified thousands of teachers and developed the broad-based curricula that ultimately prepared it for university status.

Within that new university, three colleges emerged: Education, Arts and Sciences and the Graduate School. The University has since expanded three more times; adding the College of Business in 1964, the College of Health and Human Services in 1975 and the College of Technology in 1980. More recently Eastern Michigan has developed Extended Programs and numerous community-focused institutes.

The University has enhanced its learning environment through structural initiatives during the past several years. Recent construction includes the Terrestrial and Aquatic Research Facility (1998), the Convocation Center (1998), the Bruce T. Halle Library (1998), the John W. Porter College of Education Building (1999), the Everett L. Marshall College of Health and Human Services Building (2000), the Village residence hall (2001), University House (2003), new Student Center (2006), and the new Science Complex (2010).

For more information about EMU's history, take our online historic walking tour.

Eastern Michigan University is located in historic Ypsilanti, about 10 miles east of Ann Arbor, 40 miles west of Detroit and just 20 minutes from Detroit Metropolitan Airport. It is an area rich in academic, research, technological and recreational resources. The University also has sites in Livonia, Jackson, Traverse City, Flint, Detroit and Monroe.

EMU’s 800 plus-acre campus of scenic flora and wooded areas includes 18 miles of walkways and jogging trails and has 122 buildings throughout the academic and athletic campuses. Eagle Crest – Eastern Michigan’s conference center, golf course and resort – is located on the banks of nearby Ford Lake.
Ypsilanti plays a leading role in industry and education. The city and the University have forged close ties that have lasted more than 160 years.

The president is the chief executive officer of the University. The president is responsible for the entire operation of the University and is charged to implement its mission, consonant with the policies and actions of the Board of Regents. The Board consists of eight members appointed by the Governor to serve staggered eight-year terms. The University is constitutionally autonomous.

Eastern Michigan University is committed to excellence in teaching through traditional and innovative approaches, the extension of knowledge through basic and applied research, and creative and artistic expression.

Building on a proud tradition of national leadership in the preparation of teachers, we maximize educational opportunities and personal and professional growth for students from diverse backgrounds through an array of baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral programs.

We strive to provide a student-focused learning environment that enhances the lives of students and positively impacts the community. We extend our commitment beyond the campus boundaries to the wider community through service initiatives, and public and private partnerships of mutual interest addressing local, regional, national and international opportunities and challenges.

Eastern Michigan University’s mission and philosophy are built upon shared values that define and nourish the intellectual, ethical and aesthetic environment. These values are:

Teaching and Learning – We believe that teaching and learning are central to everything that we do. We recognize that we are a community of learners who discover, interpret, apply and transmit knowledge.

Excellence – We believe that the promotion of personal and academic excellence provides a foundation for institutional quality. We are committed to achieving the highest standards through ongoing assessment and continuous quality improvement.

Human Dignity and Respect – We believe that wisdom, sound judgment, acceptance and respect for other persons, cultures and ideas are characteristics of an educated person. We seek to demonstrate, through all programs, activities and services, an appreciation of human diversity and an atmosphere of mutual respect and support for individual differences.

Diversity – We believe that cultural diversity enriches learning experiences and promotes respect and understanding. We welcome qualified learners of varying interests, abilities, backgrounds and expectations and are committed to creating an inclusive educational environment that provides exceptional opportunities for all learners. We seek to attract, serve and retain a highly qualified and diverse student body, faculty and staff, and to make special effort to provide access to educational opportunities for non-traditional and underrepresented populations.

Scholarship and Intellectual Freedom – We believe that intellectual and creative freedom supports scholarship and advances the learning process. We promote, encourage and support personal and academic freedom. We seek to provide an environment that fosters knowledge development and creative learning experiences through intellectual and cultural exchange.

Public Engagement – We believe that the University should engage the public in mutually beneficial relationships to achieve the public good. We aspire to develop regional, national and international partnership that allow us to serve our stakeholders more effectively, while providing increased learning opportunities for our students, faculty and staff.

Leadership and Participatory Decision-Making – We believe that effective organizations are characterized by visionary leadership and participatory decision-making at all levels. We are committed to creating and supporting an environment that fosters open communication and innovative approaches to change.

Integrity – We believe that integrity is critical to our continued success and institutional effectiveness. We expect and support the highest level of personal, intellectual, academic, financial and operational integrity within the University community.

Eastern Michigan’s guiding principles provide standards the University seeks to achieve:

Accessibility – An inclusive community of learners that provides educational opportunities to any qualified individual who wishes to participate.

Relevancy – Programs designed to broaden perspectives, heighten awareness, deepen understanding, establish disciplined habits of thought, respond to changes in the workplace and society, and to help develop individuals who are informed, responsible citizens.

Responsiveness (to change) – A learning community that is responsive to economic, social and political change. As an agent of change, the University explores new alternatives, recognizes constraints and makes wise institutional choices.

Flexibility – While recognizing that various constituencies have different needs, University programs, activities and services are flexible so that people have the opportunity to participate and to achieve their goals and purposes.

Quality – All programs, activities and services achieve the highest standards of quality.

Collaboration - All University programs, activities and services work collaboratively to solve problems, provide greater efficiencies and expand learning opportunities. Collaboration extends beyond the University to colleagues, communities and institutions.

Accountability – The University has consistent policies and procedures to endure accountability at all levels. All members of the University community are accountable for their actions and decisions.

Affordability – Qualified individuals who desire to participate are not discouraged from doing so because of financial resources.

Eastern Michigan University seeks to achieve its missions through six strategic directions:

Excellent Undergraduate Education – EMU will be recognized for its strong undergraduate programs and will provide research opportunities, excellent co-curricular programs and support systems that enhance the success of a talented and diverse student population.

Excellent Graduate Education – EMU will be recognized for the synergy of theory and practice in its graduate programs.

Community Engagement – EMU will become a model for public engagement and linkages with the local community, the Detroit metropolitan area, southeast Michigan, the State of Michigan and the region to address mutual concerns.

Diversity – EMU will become a model for the principles of diversity and inclusion.

Multiculturalism– EMU will become a University with global and mulitcultural perspectives.

Continuous Improvement - EMU will continue to improve institutional effectiveness.

With nearly 23,000 students, EMU provides a rich learning environment for the campus community. The University currently has approximately 18,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students. Our students represent 45 states and 93 foreign countries.

Of undergraduate students, 72 percent are full time and 57 percent are women. The most popular majors are education, business, social sciences and history, science and engineering, English, and the health professions. EMU’s undergraduate population is approximately 65 percent white; 21 percent black; 2 percent international; 2.5 percent Asian-American; 2 percent Hispanic, 0.5 percent Native-American, and 7 percent not answered (i.e. elected not to respond to this inquiry).

Eastern Michigan offers a number of special academic programs to help students succeed. These include the Honors College; the Holman Success Center; distance learning; accelerated format programs; online, weekend and evening programs and courses; American Humanics certification; Study Abroad Tours; a specialized master’s degree program for corporations offered onsite; a double master’s degree; online technologies for education and training.

With more than 200 academic and social organizations, an extensive intramural sports program, 21 NCAA Division I-A sports and numerous cultural activities from which to choose, EMU students have diverse opportunities to become involved in campus life. Students’ on-campus housing choices range from traditional dormitory-style rooms to apartments and include living/learning center options.

Eastern Michigan University employs nearly 700 full-time faculty and 1,000 staff members. Ninety-four percent of EMU professors have doctoral degrees or terminal degrees in their field. The student to faculty ratio is 19:1.

Faculty work closely with students, and many involve students in their research. Recently, the University celebrated its 30th annual Undergraduate Symposium; a benchmark program for undergraduate research.

Eastern Michigan is making an impact nationally by channeling its academic research as a means of solving real-world problems. EMU currently has 14 research institutes and centers that focus on community building and civic engagement, quality, community and regional development, small business development, geospatial education, textiles, export assistance and product development. Examples include:

1. EMU’s Center for Regional and National Security and the Michigan Citizens Corps train high school students how to be first responders during emergencies on their campuses.
2. The University’s Checkpoint Program has, for more than 10 years, helped both college students and area youth learn about alcohol and drug issues.
3. EMU’s Coatings Research Institute is working with the Pentagon to develop a coating to protect military equipment and vehicles from corrosion and chemical and biological weapons.
4. The interdisciplinary EMU Water Resources Consortium is researching water concerns and the multifaceted importance of this valuable and endangered natural resource. Its research supports conservation projects and will help maintain high-quality supplies.

EMU is well known for merging theory and practice for the benefit of the community. Applied research leads to new knowledge, new jobs and new business. Annually, the university receives about $15 million in revenues for sponsored research and community service activities.

Since its founding in 1849, Eastern Michigan has provided quality services to the residents of Ypsilanti, Washtenaw County, the State of Michigan and other states and nations.

EMU’s total impact on the Michigan economy of an estimated $3.7 billion annually reflects a return of more than $42 for each dollar received from the state. The University’s total impact on the Michigan economy results in a contribution of $166 million in state tax revenue. Thus, EMU’s impact on state government tax revenue is $1.87 in taxes for each dollar received from the state.