University of Minnesota regents change leaders, call meeting to talk about president search

University of Minnesota Regent Ken Powell announced Monday that he is stepping down from his role as board chair "to support continuity of leadership" as the university begins its search for a new president.

His announcement means Regent Janie Mayeron, who was elected in December to serve as vice chair, will now helm the board. In one of her first acts as chair, Mayeron announced that the board will hold a special meeting Thursday to talk about the process for finding a successor for President Joan Gabel.

The change comes at a time of transition for the 12-member board. The terms for four regents, including Powell, expire this year, and state lawmakers could decide anytime whether to retain them or replace them. Mayeron's term expires in 2025.

In a letter dated Monday, Powell told the board that he would continue to serve the rest of his term but cited the transition as a reason to step aside from his leadership position.

"The Minnesota Legislature is poised to elect new Regents in the coming weeks, and it is very unlikely I will be elected for a second term," Powell wrote. "Given the many consequential and urgent decisions facing us, including selecting an interim president, the presidential transition and other critically important University matters, the Board needs a leadership team now that will be in place throughout these transitions and beyond."

Mayeron declined to comment Monday.

In an email to U students and employees, Mayeron said "our most immediate priority" will be to find an interim president who can take over when Gabel leaves to become chancellor at the University of Pittsburgh. Gabel's contract in Pittsburgh begins in mid-July.

"The Board is taking a measured approach. Our mission of education, research, and outreach must — and will — guide any decision the Board makes," Mayeron wrote, adding that the U is committed to "acting with openness and transparency."

Regents have faced scrutiny this session from lawmakers who have raised concerns about tuition rates, declining enrollment and whether the board is willing to critically evaluate proposals brought to it by U administrators.

Powell applied to serve on the board again, but two screening panels declined to recommend him. He faced particularly pointed questions about his willingness to challenge U administrators, with some focusing on the regents' decision to allow Gabel to serve on the board of Securian, a private company that has business with the U. Gabel has since resigned from that post.

State lawmakers haven't yet announced a date when they will vote to select regents.

Powell wrote in his letter to regents that he and Mayeron "have anticipated this change in Board leadership together" and said she's "ready to step into this role."

Powell, the former chair and CEO of General Mills, was selected to serve on the board in 2017 and has been its chair for four years. Mayeron, a retired federal judge and lawyer, was selected for the board in 2019.

The board is scheduled to meet Thursday morning to "consider and act on next steps in a process to select an interim president and provide guidance on transition issues," as well as to elect a new vice chair.