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Chris Kolb, who currently serves as Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s state budget director, has been appointed vice president for government relations at the University of Michigan.

Kolb has more than 20 years of public service experience in the government and nonprofit sectors, including three terms in the Michigan House of Representatives.

His five-year appointment — effective Jan. 19 — is authorized by President Mark Schlissel and follows the recommendation from a national search conducted by a search advisory committee. The appointment will be reported to the Board of Regents at its February meeting.

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Cynthia H. Wilbanks, who has served as the University of Michigan’s vice president for government relations for 22 years, will retire at year’s end. She shared the news with colleagues this week.

Wilbanks, a U-M alumna, directs the university’s government relations efforts at the local, state and federal levels. She also serves as special adviser to President Mark Schlissel on the development and growth of the University Research Corridor as well as non-research based external economic development activities.

Cynthia H. Wilbanks: Vice President for the Office of Government Relation

“It’s been an incredible privilege to work with the leadership of U-M, across the institution and across the state, to expand and promote the impact of this university on the people of our great state,” Wilbanks said.

“It has also been an honor to work with so many others in higher education and with those in local, state and federal government to expand the reach of U-M and to help improve the lives of state residents.”

Her responsibilities as vice president include planning and developing the institution’s response to proposed legislation, developing and maintaining effective relationships with governmental agencies and officials, and analyzing and assessing legislative, administrative and regulatory activities as they pertain to university programs, activities and operations. State outreach activities, and the Economic Growth Institute also report to her.

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Thousands of central Michigan residents living along the Tittabawassee River are evacuating after rapidly rising waters overtook dams there. The Michigan governor warned that downtown Midland could be under about 9 feet of water Wednesday. The evacuations come as Michigan remains under a stay-at-home order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

University of Michigan experts are available to discuss various aspects of this situation.

Richard K. Norton

Professor, Urban and Regional Planning Program, Program in the Environment

734-474-4052, [email protected]

Richard Norton, professor of urban and regional planning, trains local officials and residents on coastal management to help them better understand the threats posed by climate change, especially when building near Great Lakes coastlines and within floodplains.

Allen Burton

Professor, SEAS and the Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences

937-272-9577, [email protected]

Allen Burton is a professor of environment and sustainability and of earth and environmental sciences, director of U-M’s Institute for Global Change Biology, and editor-in-chief of the journal Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry.

Sue Anne Bell

Assistant Professor, Department of Systems, Populations and Leadership

734-272-5515, [email protected]

Sue Anne Bell is an assistant professor of nursing and expert on disaster response, community health and emergency care.

Ben van der Pluijm

Bruce R. Clark Collegiate Professor of Geology and Professor of the Environment

734-678-1397, [email protected], vdpluijm55 (Skype)

Ben van der Pluijm, a geologist and professor of earth and environmental sciences, is an expert on the societal impacts of geohazards.

Drew Gronewold

Associate Professor of Environment and Sustainability

919-452-6593, [email protected]

Drew Gronewold, a hydrologist and associate professor of environment and sustainability, says the floodwaters in Midland will eventually flow into Saginaw Bay, contributing to ongoing record-high Great Lakes water levels. He can discuss historical, current and future Great Lakes water levels, including the hydrologic conditions that contribute to water level variability.

Amy Schulz

Professor, Health Behavior & Health Education

[email protected]

Amy Schulz, professor of health behavior and health education, can discuss the impact of the floods on low-income residents. Her research focuses on social factors that contribute to health with a particular focus on social and physical environmental factors and their effects on health, health equity and urban health.

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