Eastern Michigan University is going to have a new president, as the Board of Regents is to vote on Wednesday.

EMU officials are expected to vote on the appointment of Susan Martin, making her the first female president in the University’s 159-year history.

Susan Martin is the provost and vice chancellor of academic affairs for the University of Michigan-Dearborn. She will replace John Fallon, who was fired in July 2007 after he didn’t inform students and parents about the campus murder of Laura Dickinson.

According to a local source, The Detroit News, Roy Wilbanks, vice chairman of the board, spoke highly about Martin, saying that she “brings a wealth of experience in higher education,” and he thinks that she is very likely to become EMU’ president, as the Regents appreciate her and will vote for her.

“She has worked in all levels, has a lot of poise, a tremendous grasp of the issues. ... We're very excited to bring her on campus as the next president,” said Wilbanks.

In the race for EMU’s presidency, Martin was among the four finalists, including former Detroit Schools CEO Kenneth Burnley, Michigan School Superintendent for Public Instruction Michael Flanagan and Donald E. Shelton, 22nd Circuit Court judge for Washtenaw County Trial Court.

Although a start date has not yet been set, Martin’s job as a president could begin on July.

Fallon, Public Safety Director Cindy Hall, and Vice President of Student Affairs Jim Vick were fired after EMU failed to alert students of the murder investigation when Dickinson was found dead in her dormitory room in December 2006. Dickinson, 22, was raped and killed on Dec. 15, 2006, but university officials hid those facts from her parents and the public.

Later, 21-year-old Orange Taylor III, a fellow student of Dickinson, was arrested on rape and murder charges. He was sentenced last week to life in prison without the possibility of parole.