The first Northern Michigan University presidential candidate, John C. Hayek, chats with his wife and Jeff Korpi just before his public forum Monday. (Journal photo by Antonio Anderson)

MARQUETTE– Presidential candidates have begun visiting Northern Michigan University, starting with an administrator from Texas State University System, John C. Hayek, Ph.D.

Hayek currently serves as vice chancellor for Academic and Health Affairs and chief academic officer for TSUS, where he provides academic leadership across four universities and three state colleges, advancing excellence in teaching, research and service. NMU will see three more candidates visit this and next week.

“Every minute I am here I love it even more,” said Hayek. “Even though I live in Texas right now, I am from the Midwest… To us, being here with the scenery is a coming home for us. We look forward to coming back to the Midwest.”

Hayek was born in Illinois and spent part of his childhood in rural Wisconsin. His wife, Laura is a registered nurse certified in holistic nursing and oncology–was born and raised in Illinois. They now reside in Austin, Texas, and are the proud parents of four children, all recent college graduates who live and work in Central Texas. Hayek said he has fallen in love with a myriad of things at NMU.

“So many things,” said Hayek. “Its rich history, the 125 years they just did; the high quality education that goes out into the community; its high quality faculty; its amazing connection between the institution and the community; the gorgeous scenery and the beauty of the place. To me, its what’s not to like?”

One of the big challenges Hayek sees at NMU is an enrollment cliff, as Hayek explained, is a common issue for universities when they reach a specific size new students enrolling stagnates. Hayek says if he is to become NMU’s next president, he will do his best to get enrollment up at NMU. Compared with Brock Tessman’s last payment records, Hayek may possibly receive a cut in pay should he be accepted as NMU’s next president. That’s not a dealbreaker for him.

“At this point in my career there are things more important,” said Hayek. “But we will negotiate at an important time with the board (of trustees.) But my career is about helping students.”

TSUS, where Hayek currently works, is the oldest public university system in Texas, enrolling more than 100,000 students, employing over 14,500 faculty and staff and operating with an annual budget exceeding $2.1 billion. With more than 30 years of leadership experience in both the private and public sectors, Hayek has served at the university, state and system levels in the areas of academic and health affairs, student engagement, finance, data analytics and strategic planning.

“My background is student success,” said Hayek. “That is the lens that if I were president, would have everything filter through student success.”

Antonio Anderson can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 550. His email address is aanderson@miningjournal.net.