Dr. Amy Thompson

There’s so much to celebrate at @oaklandu. Yesterday, President Ora Hirsch Pescovitz brought the OU community together for the 2026 State of the University to reflect on our progress, impact across Michigan, and the many exciting opportunities yet to come. She shared an inspiring vision for the year ahead and reconfirmed our shared commitment to innovation, creating opportunities, and, especially, student success. We also heard from outstanding faculty and staff whose research, initiatives, and ideas are making a lasting impact locally and nationally. Thank you, President Hirsch Pescovitz and everyone who helped make yesterday's event possible.

Such a wonderful honor to receive the 2026 Central Michigan University Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Award. As a regional public comprehensive university, CMU provided me a transformational learning experience and a undergraduate degree in Public Health. Special thanks to my CMU Advisor Jodi Brookins Fisher for nominating me, and my family and Oakland University colleagues who came to support me to accept this special award. #CMU #PublicHealthEducation #firstgenerationstudent @CMUniversity @cmualumni

Student success is our North Star at Oakland University, so I was especially pleased to be in Washington, D.C., for the National Student Success Project Fall Launch Event. It was inspiring to meet higher education leaders from across the country who are also dedicated to helping students succeed, both in college and after graduation. Our conversations focused on affordability, academic quality, career pathways and the value of a college education. At OU, we're already doing important work to reach students earlier, strengthen academic support and make the path to a degree clearer and more attainable. It was valuable to hear what other institutions are doing and consider what we can learn from one another. I came back from Washington with fresh ideas, new connections and an even greater appreciation for the work we're doing at OU.

It was great to welcome students, faculty, alumni and community members to Oakland University for this year's Economics Advisory Board Fall Lecture. Professor Shane Greenstein of Harvard Business School gave an engaging talk titled “From GPUs to GDP: How Data Center Economics Shapes AI Diffusion.” We often hear about what AI can do, but less about the infrastructure that supports it. Professor Greenstein explained how data centers, energy needs and technology investments play a key role in spreading AI and what that means for businesses, communities and economic growth. I’m especially grateful when our students get to hear from top scholars and see how what they learn in class connects to real-world events. Thank you to Professor Greenstein, the Economics Advisory Board, the Department of Economics, the School of Business Administration and Department Chair Dr. Zeina Alsalman for making this program a success!

Beth and I had a wonderful time at the Celebration of Scholarships Brunch, hosted by University Advancement Stewardship. It was a special chance to celebrate our scholarship recipients and thank the donors who make their education possible. I enjoy watching students and donors connect. Donors get to hear directly how their support changes lives, and students meet the people who believe in them and help them reach their goals. Scholarships do more than provide financial support. They ease stress, open new doors and allow students to focus on their studies and future goals. It was also great to spend time with our deans, faculty and staff, who are committed to helping our students succeed. Thank you to the University Advancement Stewardship team for bringing everyone together, and a special thanks to our scholarship donors for their generosity and ongoing support of OU students. Congratulations to our scholarship recipients. We’re so proud of you and look forward to seeing what you accomplish next! #Scholarships #Philanthropy #Donors #YouBelongHere #GrizzlyGreatness #StudentSuccess #AcademicExcellence #InclusiveExcellence #HigherEd #OUImpact #GoldenGrizzlies #BeGolden #ThisIsOU #OaklandUniversity #OaklandU #UniversityOfChoice #OUPride #Grizz #BetterTogether #Provost

It was a pleasure to return to Ohio and deliver the opening keynote at the 2026 Health Educators’ Institute, hosted by the Ohio Society for Public Health Education (OSOPHE). Public health has been an important part of my professional life, and I always appreciate reconnecting with colleagues who share a commitment to improving the health of our communities. My keynote, “Meeting the Moment: Leading Change During the Make America Healthy Again Movement,” focused on one central question: How can public health professionals help shape the national conversation about health, even when we don't agree on every issue? Prevention, healthier communities and evidence-based approaches have long been central to public health. With renewed national attention on these issues, we have a chance to bring our expertise to the conversation and drive significant change. It was wonderful to be among fellow health educators and public health professionals, sharing ideas and learning together. Thank you to OSOPHE for the invitation and for bringing us together for this important conversation! #OSOPHE #PublicHealth #HealthEducation #PublicHealthLeadership #HealthPromotion #YouBelongHere #GrizzlyGreatness #StudentSuccess #AcademicExcellence #InclusiveExcellence #HigherEd #OUImpact #GoldenGrizzlies #BeGolden #ThisIsOU #OaklandUniversity #OaklandU #UniversityOfChoice #OUPride #Grizz #BetterTogether #Provost

It was a pleasure to join colleagues for this year’s President’s Colloquium and hear from Dr. Joanne Lipson Freed, Associate Professor and Chair of English, Creative Writing and Film. Her presentation, “Not True but Believable: What Fiction Can Teach Us about Generative AI,” offered a fascinating perspective on a topic that continues to shape conversations across higher education. Since 1995, the President’s Colloquium has given us an opportunity to celebrate the remarkable breadth of faculty scholarship and creative activity at OU. I always appreciate opportunities to learn from colleagues across disciplines and consider ideas from a different perspective. Thank you, Joanne, for sharing your work and giving us so much to think about! #FacultyScholarship #GenerativeAI #YouBelongHere #GrizzlyGreatness #StudentSuccess #AcademicExcellence #InclusiveExcellence #HigherEd #OUImpact #GoldenGrizzlies #BeGolden #ThisIsOU #OaklandUniversity #OaklandU #UniversityOfChoice #OUPride #Grizz #BetterTogether #Provost

Who knew goats could make yoga even more fun? I had a great time at our second annual Goat Yoga event, taking a break from our busy schedules with students, faculty and staff. With my training in public health, I appreciate opportunities that encourage us to focus on our well-being. Sometimes that means getting outside and spending time with others. And having a few goats wandering around certainly helps! I love seeing our OU community come together for fun, spirit-boosting activities. Thank you to everyone who helped organize this year's event. OU really is the G.O.A.T.! #GoatYoga #HealthAndWellBeing #YouBelongHere #GrizzlyGreatness #StudentSuccess #AcademicExcellence #InclusiveExcellence #HigherEd #OUImpact #GoldenGrizzlies #BeGolden #ThisIsOU #OaklandUniversity #OaklandU #UniversityOfChoice #OUPride #Grizz #BetterTogether #Provost

I joined President Ora Hirsch Pescovitz, Vice President for Student Affairs and Engagement Trung Nguyen, and students, alumni, faculty and staff for some October pumpkin carving near Elliott Tower. What a fun way to enjoy a beautiful fall afternoon at Oakland University! There were pumpkins everywhere, plenty of creativity and lots of laughter. I even tried my hand at carving a jack-o'-lantern! It was especially nice to spend time with our students, catch up with colleagues and enjoy a little fall fun together. Sometimes it's these simple moments, away from our usual schedules, that I enjoy most about being part of the OU community. Thank you to everyone who helped organize the festivities and to all who joined us. I loved seeing so many Golden Grizzlies enjoying the afternoon together! #FallAtOU #CampusCommunity #YouBelongHere #GrizzlyGreatness #StudentSuccess #AcademicExcellence #InclusiveExcellence #HigherEd #OUImpact #GoldenGrizzlies #BeGolden #ThisIsOU #OaklandUniversity #OaklandU #UniversityOfChoice #OUPride #Grizz #BetterTogether #Provost

I joined students, faculty, donors, alumni and families for the School of Nursing Scholarship Reception, where we celebrated this year’s scholarship recipients and the generous donors who support their education. One of my favorite parts of events like this is hearing directly from our students. It was wonderful to learn how these scholarships are making a difference in their education and helping them pursue their goals. Scholarships do so much more than provide financial support. They open doors, ease some of the pressures of earning a degree and remind students that there are people who believe in them and want to see them succeed. To our scholarship recipients, congratulations! We’re proud of your accomplishments and excited for what lies ahead. And a special thank you to our donors, Interim Dean Kruse and the SON leadership for their commitment to our students. It was a wonderful evening celebrating our future nurses and the people who help make their success possible. #SON #Scholarships #Donors #YouBelongHere #GrizzlyGreatness #StudentSuccess #AcademicExcellence #InclusiveExcellence #HigherEd #OUImpact #GoldenGrizzlies #BeGolden #ThisIsOU #OaklandUniversity #OaklandU #UniversityOfChoice #OUPride #Grizz #BetterTogether #Provost

What a wonderful way to begin Homecoming weekend at Oakland University! Our inaugural Alumni Faculty & Staff Luncheon celebrated a very special group: OU employees who are also Oakland alumni. More than 1,200 OU employees have earned at least one Oakland degree. Their paths may be different, but they share a unique perspective: they know Oakland as faculty and staff, and as students and graduates. And every day, they help shape the Oakland experience for the students who follow them. Thank you to our Alumni Engagement team and the Oakland University Alumni Association for creating what I hope becomes a new Homecoming tradition, and to Oakland University Credit Union for sponsoring the luncheon. Happy Homecoming, Golden Grizzlies! #OUHomecoming #OUAlumni #YouBelongHere #GrizzlyGreatness #StudentSuccess #AcademicExcellence #InclusiveExcellence #HigherEd #OUImpact #GoldenGrizzlies #BeGolden #ThisIsOU #OaklandUniversity #OaklandU #UniversityOfChoice #OUPride #Grizz #BetterTogether #Provost

I really enjoyed hearing President Ora Hirsch Pescovitz share her experiences and perspective during “Leading in Challenging Times.” I work alongside Ora every day, but hearing her reflect on her leadership path and the lessons she’s learned was especially meaningful. I appreciated what’s guided her through the years and how deeply her commitment to Oakland University and our students, faculty and staff shapes her leadership. Ora, thank you for sharing your story. I’m grateful to be your colleague and to serve OU with you. #Leadership #YouBelongHere #GrizzlyGreatness #StudentSuccess #AcademicExcellence #InclusiveExcellence #HigherEd #OUImpact #GoldenGrizzlies #BeGolden #ThisIsOU #OaklandUniversity #OaklandU #UniversityOfChoice #OUPride #Grizz #BetterTogether #Provost

I enjoyed attending another History Comes Alive program at Oakland University and hearing Dr. Alan Taylor of the University of Virginia present “Tower Hill: A Plantation on the Edge of Rebellion.” He shared the story of Tower Hill, a Virginia plantation near the center of Nat Turner’s Rebellion, and how private papers helped him learn more about the people and events surrounding this period in American history. I enjoy this series because it lets us hear from remarkable historians and think about history differently. Thank you to Dr. Taylor for joining us and to our Department of History for continuing to bring these interesting conversations to campus. #YouBelongHere #GrizzlyGreatness #StudentSuccess #AcademicExcellence #InclusiveExcellence #HigherEd #OUImpact #GoldenGrizzlies #BeGolden #ThisIsOU #OaklandUniversity #OaklandU #UniversityOfChoice #OUPride #Grizz #BetterTogether #Provost

We welcomed researchers, educators and industry professionals from around the world to Oakland University for the International Conference on Machine Learning and Applications (ICMLA) 2026. It was exciting to see our campus become a gathering place for conversations about machine learning, artificial intelligence and the research directing these quickly evolving fields. Conferences like ICMLA bring people together to exchange ideas, learn from one another and create connections that may lead to new research and collaboration. Thank you to Dean Louay Chamra and everyone who worked to bring ICMLA to OU! #ICMLA2026 #ArtificialIntelligence #MachineLearning #Research #YouBelongHere #GrizzlyGreatness #StudentSuccess #AcademicExcellence #InclusiveExcellence #HigherEd #OUImpact #GoldenGrizzlies #BeGolden #ThisIsOU #OaklandUniversity #OaklandU #UniversityOfChoice #OUPride #Grizz #BetterTogether #Provost

I was grateful to take part in Oakland University’s Summit on Civil Discourse, Freedom of Speech and Political Violence on College Campuses. Over two days, the summit brought together students, faculty, university leaders and others to discuss free expression, political violence and civil discourse. Universities should be places where people can have different perspectives and disagree with one another while still being respectful. That isn’t always easy, but it’s essential to learning. I’m grateful to everyone who participated and shared their perspectives, and to our Center for Civic Engagement for making these important conversations possible at OU. #CivilDiscourse #CivicEngagement #YouBelongHere #GrizzlyGreatness #StudentSuccess #AcademicExcellence #InclusiveExcellence #HigherEd #OUImpact #GoldenGrizzlies #BeGolden #ThisIsOU #OaklandUniversity #OaklandU #UniversityOfChoice #OUPride #Grizz #BetterTogether #Provost

My monthly “Breakfast with the Provost” brings together a small group of staff and faculty to connect and chat. It’s a great opportunity to get to know one another, hear what’s happening in different areas of the university and talk about what’s on people’s minds. I always leave having learned something new and appreciating the opportunity to hear directly from the people who make OU such a special place. #StaffSuccess #OUCommunity #BreakfastwiththeProvost #YouBelongHere #GrizzlyGreatness #StudentSuccess #AcademicExcellence #InclusiveExcellence #HigherEd #OUImpact #GoldenGrizzlies #BeGolden #ThisIsOU #OaklandUniversity #OaklandU #UniversityOfChoice #OUPride #Grizz #BetterTogether #Provost

We welcomed higher education colleagues from across Michigan to Oakland University for the Okanagan Charter Gathering. The Okanagan Charter recognizes that health and well-being are a shared responsibility. That came through in the range of people gathered at the event, with colleagues from health promotion, student affairs, student success, recreation, mental health and well-being and academic affairs all part of the conversation. With my background in public health, this work is especially meaningful to me. Creating healthier campuses takes all of us, and gatherings like this give us an opportunity to learn from one another, share ideas and think about what we can do differently at our own institutions. Thank you to everyone who joined us and contributed to a thoughtful conversation. #OkanaganCharter #HealthAndWellbeing #HigherEducation #OaklandUniversity #YouBelongHere #GrizzlyGreatness #StudentSuccess #AcademicExcellence #InclusiveExcellence #HigherEd #OUImpact #GoldenGrizzlies #BeGolden #ThisIsOU #OaklandUniversity #OaklandU #UniversityOfChoice #OUPride #Grizz #BetterTogether #Provost

I enjoyed spending time with faculty colleagues at our first Scholarly Social. Oakland offers an incredible breadth of scholarship and creative activity across our campus. But universities are busy places, and we don’t always know what our colleagues down the hall or across campus are working on. That’s what makes this new series so valuable. It gives faculty a chance to step outside their usual academic circles, hear about colleagues' work in other disciplines, ask questions and discover connections they might not otherwise make. Thank you to our faculty presenters for sharing their work and to everyone who joined us and contributed to the conversation. And a special thank you to Provost Fellows for Excellence in Research and Scholarship, Chhabi Govind and Brendan Kredell, for launching the Scholarly Socials Series to create another way for our faculty to connect and share their work. I’m looking forward to the connections it will continue to create! #FacultySuccess #Scholarship #Research #YouBelongHere #GrizzlyGreatness #StudentSuccess #AcademicExcellence #InclusiveExcellence #HigherEd #OUImpact #GoldenGrizzlies #BeGolden #ThisIsOU #OaklandUniversity #OaklandU #UniversityOfChoice #OUPride #Grizz #BetterTogether #Provost

I was pleased to join OU colleagues in celebrating our faculty who earned tenure and promotion this year. This important milestone represents years of work in teaching, scholarship, creative activity, mentorship and service. It was wonderful to recognize these accomplishments and celebrate together. Our faculty are at the heart of the student experience. They bring expertise and curiosity into our classrooms, labs and studios, contribute to their disciplines and create opportunities for students to learn, grow and succeed. Congratulations to each of our newly tenured and promoted faculty members. I’m grateful for all you bring to Oakland University, and I look forward to the impact you will continue to make in the years ahead. #FacultySuccess #FacultyExcellence #YouBelongHere #GrizzlyGreatness #StudentSuccess #AcademicExcellence #InclusiveExcellence #HigherEd #OUImpact #GoldenGrizzlies #BeGolden #ThisIsOU #OaklandUniversity #OaklandU #UniversityOfChoice #OUPride #Grizz #BetterTogether #Provost

I attended the History Comes Alive program to hear Dr. Lorri Glover of Saint Louis University present “Declaring Independence: Rethinking 1776 in 2026.” Dr. Glover offered an interesting look at the ideas and events that led to the Declaration of Independence, including how disputes over British policies grew into a much larger conversation about government, society and independence. One thing I appreciate about programs like this is the chance to learn from scholars who challenge us to see history differently and think more deeply about what we know. Thank you to Dr. Glover for sharing her scholarship with our community and to everyone who helped bring this program to OU. #HistoryComesAlive #AmericanHistory #YouBelongHere #GrizzlyGreatness #StudentSuccess #AcademicExcellence #InclusiveExcellence #HigherEd #OUImpact #GoldenGrizzlies #BeGolden #ThisIsOU #OaklandUniversity #OaklandU #UniversityOfChoice #OUPride #Grizz #BetterTogether #Provost