A meeting was held by the Ferris Board of Trustees on Friday, Feb. 13, in the David L. Eisler Center from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. to discuss new iniatives, degree programs and the university’s finances.
The Board of Trustees consists of eight members who govern Ferris State. They have general supervision and control over all the institution’s decisions.
The Board votes on things such as approving the budget and tuition rates for the year. They host meetings four times a year that are open to the general public alongside students, staff and faculty.
The board approved a new Bachelor of Science degree program in Science Education and an Associate of Applied Science in Mechatronics degree program. Both programs will be available to students starting the fall semester of 2026.
Ferris State University is launching several new initiatives aimed at expanding career opportunities and improving academic outcomes for students, with programs expected to roll out in 2026.
The College of Pharmacy is introducing a pharmacy regulatory certificate designed to expand job opportunities for pharmacy students in regulatory fields. The college will also implement an empathy survey at the beginning and end of each clinical rotation. Faculty members will use the survey results to assess whether students’ empathy levels improve over time.
The university is also establishing new partnerships with more community colleges, expanding their iniative to create a smoother transfer process for students enrolling at Ferris State.
In downtown Detroit, the university is developing a Career and Success Hub that will collect and share career outcome data from graduates. Alumni will be able to submit information about their employment history, career progression and salaries. Students, staff and faculty will have access to the data, allowing users to review career trajectories in specific fields, such as accounting, to help inform academic and professional decisions.
The hub will also allow alumni to create mentorship profiles. Current students will be able to browse available mentors and request connections for networking and professional guidance. Internship opportunities will also be included, allowing students to sign up for interviews through the platform.
Additional details about the initiatives are expected to be released as the 2026 launch date approaches. University board members and faculty members have expressed support for the changes.
Finance Committee trustee LaShanda Thomas explained why it is crucial to build the learning hub in Detroit.
“The Detroit learning hub is very exciting, we have been trying to build it for eight or so years,” Thomas said.
Since she joined the board in 2018, her goal was to make a Ferris State presence in the city of Detroit. As a native of the city herself, she is excited to see that vision come to life.
She said the learning hub affects not only the city of Detroit but the surrounding areas as it gives students the opportunity to network with alumni.
Other faculty and staff left the meeting knowing that their work is making a difference at the university.
Dean and professor of Public Health in the the college of health professionals, Lincoln Gibbs, spoke about the meeting.
“It was an excellent meeting,” Gibbs said. “A big piece for me is the transparency of what’s happening and the great things we are doing on campus, just hearing about the progress we’re making as an institution.”
He expressed that it’s very important to reach out across the state to educate others regarding the upcoming learning hub in development.
He said he takes pride in making an impact in students’ lives even from a distance.
As the university moves forward with new degree programs, expanded partnerships and the long-anticipated Detroit learning hub, board members emphasized their commitment to transparency and student success. With the next meeting set for Friday, May 8, the Board of Trustees will continue shaping initiatives aimed at strengthening Ferris State’s academic offerings and community impact.