The Michigan State University Board of Trustees announced today it is hiring University of Virginia President Teresa A. Sullivan to serve as an adviser to the board as it begins the process of selecting MSU’s next president.
“Identifying a new president for Michigan State University is an extremely important process and as a respected, accomplished member of the academy and collegiate administrator, Dr. Sullivan is well positioned to offer insight and advice to the board,” said Board Chairman Brian Breslin. “The appointment of an adviser to assist the board in designing and implementing a presidential search is an important step forward that will ensure the input of all stakeholders is garnered and considered.”
“I welcome the opportunity to assist my alma mater as it searches for its next president, and I am looking forward to advising the Board of Trustees and university community as the search proceeds,” Sullivan said. “The process of identifying and selecting a new president is exceptionally important for the future of Michigan State University.”
Sullivan has served as president of the University of Virginia since 2010 and plans to step down from that post in July. She served in multiple academic leadership roles at the University of Texas and as provost at the University of Michigan before joining the University of Virginia. She received her undergraduate degree from MSU’s James Madison College and received her doctorate from the University of Chicago. In 2014, Sullivan received an honorary degree from MSU.
Sullivan has written or co-written six books and more than 80 articles as an internationally recognized sociologist. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences; Chair of the Council of Presidents for the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges; and Chair of the Council of Presidents of the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities.
Trustees Breslin, Dianne Byrum and Melanie Foster served on a board subcommittee to recommend the hiring of Sullivan.