FLINT, Mich. -- Dr. Ruth J. Person became the first female chancellor at the University of Michigan-Flint in the university’s 53-year history on Monday.

Person, formerly chancellor of Indiana University-Kokomo, earned her bachelor's degree from Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania and received both her master's degree and Ph.D. from the University of Michigan.

The Person era begins just as students move in to the university’s first residence hall.

"It is an exciting time to join the University of Michigan-Flint," said Person. "The opening of the new residence hall, new academic programs and other important initiatives have created enthusiasm on campus.”

Person also held positions as vice president for academic affairs at Ohio's Ashland University, associate vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, dean of the College of Library Science at Clarion University in Pennsylvania, and associate dean and faculty member of the School of Library and Information Science at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

Interim Chancellor Jack Kay returned to his original post -- serving as provost.