Mueller brings to the role more than 20 years of experience as an administrator at the University of Michigan.
Frances Mueller, currently associate vice provost for academic and budgetary affairs in the Office of the Provost at the University of Michigan–Ann Arbor, is joining the University of Rochester as chief of staff and special advisor in the Office of the President. University President Sarah Mangelsdorf announced Mueller’s appointment, which follows a national search. Mueller succeeds Tony Green, who in May 2022 was named vice provost for academic finance and planning in the Provost’s Office.
“I am delighted to welcome Frances to the University,” says Mangelsdorf. “Her breadth of experience is quite impressive, and she is a thoughtful strategist and communicator who understands multifaceted research institutions. I want to thank the search committee for their time and commitment to filling this important role.”
The chief of staff and special advisor is a leadership role heavily involved in institutional planning, policy development, and problem resolution in collaboration with the president and other senior leaders. The position is the principal aide to the president and serves as a member of the president’s Senior Leadership Group, Cabinet, and University Management Team. Key responsibilities include serving as liaison to internal and external groups dealing with a wide range of initiatives and issues and managing Office of the President operations.
Mueller brings to the role more than 20 years of experience as an administrator at the University of Michigan, which like Rochester is a member of the Association of American Universities. At Michigan, she worked in multiple areas—from business and finance to student life and the Office of the Provost—advising and supporting senior leaders in planning campus-wide initiatives, policies, projects, and systems, including space planning, with an emphasis on change management and business process improvement.
“I am excited and honored to join the University of Rochester community and look forward to working with President Mangelsdorf and her leadership team to support her strategic vision for the University,” says Mueller.
In addition to her role in the Office of the Provost, Mueller has served as a change management consultant at the University of Michigan, as well as an assistant director for end-user services in what is now UM’s Information and Technology Services; as a senior project manager in the Office of the Dean of Students; and as an interim director at the International Center. Prior to joining the University of Michigan, she worked in the private sector in the automotive and information technology industries. She received a bachelor’s degree from Michigan Technological University and an MBA from Wayne State University.
