Eastern Michigan University
Beth Fitzsimmons, Ph.D.
Beth Fitzsimmons was appointed by Governor Rick Snyder in February 2011 to replace Mohamed Okdie, who resigned. She is appointed for a term expiring Dec. 31, 2016. She serves as chair of the Student Affairs committee.
Dr. Fitzsimmons founded Information Strategists, LLC, in 1987, a company that provides information services for high tech companies. Clients include scientists, engineers, marketing specialists and executives of major U.S. corporations.
She earned a degree in Chemistry from Simmons College, an MLS from the University of Albany and in 2001 she earned her doctorate in Public Policy specializing in Information Policy from George Mason University.
From 2003-2008, she was appointed by the President and chaired the U.S. National Commission on Libraries and Information Science (NCLIS). From 1996-1999, Dr. Fitzsimmons was involved with several projects at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Prior to that, she was associated with CENDI; an Executive Branch interagency working group composed of the scientific and technical (STI) managers from the Departments of Commerce, Energy, Defense, Health and Human Services, and NASA.
Dr. Fitzsimmons served as the information specialist for 10 years at Aerodyne Research, Inc., and also has served as the Chairman of the Depository Library Council to the U.S. Public Printer (1993-94) and received the Public Printer's Distinguished Service Award.
She is the current President of the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor, the largest Rotary Club in Michigan, and has served on the Boards of the YMCA, University of Michigan Libraries, HelpSource, First Congregational Church, Cleary University, Library of Michigan Foundation, and MIT Enterprise Forum.
First appointed: Feb. 2011
Current term expires: Dec. 2016
Contact Info:
Board of Regents Office207 Welch Hall
Ypsilanti, MI 48107
Phone: 734-487-2410
Fax: 734-484-9704