EAST LANSING, Mich. – Alison Barber, senior associate dean in the Eli Broad College of Business at Michigan State University, will be named secretary of the Board of Trustees and executive assistant to President Lou Anna K. Simon, pending board approval at a special meeting, to be scheduled sometime in July.
If approved, Barber would succeed L. Susan Carter, associate professor of journalism, who earlier this spring announced her intention to pursue other personal and professional interests.
Barber’s appointment would be effective Aug. 1, Simon said.
“My recommendation of Dr. Barber recognizes her proven effectiveness as a senior-level leader,” Simon said. “She brings to this new role a passion for Michigan State and the land-grant spirit, and a special capacity to translate our vision and values into the daily work of the university. I am very excited that Alison has agreed to assume this new role as part of Team MSU.”
Board chairperson David Porteous also noted Barber’s leadership experience. “Alison Barber is an academic leader who has demonstrated a broad and deep understanding of the mission as well as the operation of this university,” he said. “Her career has blended knowledge of her field with the application of that knowledge.”
As Broad’s senior associate dean since 2001, Barber has served as the college’s chief academic officer and has been responsible for administering the college’s budget, and for personnel administration.
“These are exciting times for MSU, with new leadership and new challenges,” Barber said. “I’m looking forward to serving the university as a whole as we adapt to the changing environment for higher education.”
Barber, associate professor of management, joined the Broad College in 1990, and was named associate dean for undergraduate programs in 1998.She received her doctorate in industrial relations from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she also received her master’s. She received her undergraduate degree in economics from the University of Virginia.