Michigan Business Beat | Mackinac Policy Conference 2026 - new EMU president Brendan Kelly - #MPC26

Chris Holman speaks with Brendan Kelly, from Media Row, at the Grand Hotel, while at the 2026 Mackinac Policy Conference. Chris Holman interviews Brendan Kelly, the new president of Eastern Michigan University, at the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce's Annual Policy Conference on Mackinac Island. Kelly, a Flint native and EMU alumnus, brings extensive higher education leadership experience from institutions across Florida, South Carolina, Georgia, and Arkansas before returning to Michigan to lead EMU. He highlights the university's evolution beyond its teacher's college roots — including a new College of Engineering and Technology — as a direct response to Michigan's persistent talent pipeline needs. Kelly outlines his key priorities as elevating the overall student experience, addressing every dimension of students' lives during college, and positioning EMU as the most responsive and dynamic university partner to businesses and communities in the country. » Visit MBN website: http://www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Watch MBN’s YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@MichiganbusinessnetworkMBN » Like MBN: http://www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: http://twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/