Michelle Hunt Bruner

Michelle Hunt Bruner is the Managing Director of the Michigan Ross Center for Positive Organizations. She has dedicated over 25 years of professional service to the higher education community, including 22 years in areas of student success. In her current role, Michelle brings students, scholars, business leaders, and other individuals together to learn and amplify practices that build and sustain organizations that embody the science of thriving and where meaning, purpose, and the well-being of people are prioritized alongside business missions.

Prior to joining the University of Michigan, Michelle served as Senior Director of Student Academic Success at Wayne State University, where she helped lead the university in making significant gains in graduation rates. An advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, Michelle helped Wayne State’s first-generation students, Black students, and other underrepresented students achieve greater academic success and ensured academic access and inclusion for students with disabilities across the campus.

Michelle earned her MA in Psychology from Wayne State University and a BA in Psychology with honors from Michigan State University. She is an Executive Board Member of the Michigan chapter of the American Council on Education (MI ACE) Women’s Network and a member of the MI ACE Senior-Level Leadership Shadow Program planning committee.

Michelle enjoys game nights, good books, and time with her family and friends.