Christine Leese
Administration/Strategy
Infrastructure Planning and Facilities
Christine Leese is one of MSU’s most knowledgeable and action-oriented leaders. Having worked at MSU for more than 25 years, she began her career while still a student, joining the Office of the Executive Vice President of Administration full-time upon graduation in 2000. She has led large and complex projects that span campus and recently transitioned to chief of staff of Infrastructure Planning and Facilities.
Leese epitomizes the phrase “Spartans Will” with unparalleled integrity, knowledge, dedication and leadership. While advancing MSU’s values, she continuously works to ensure everyone has a seat at the table, believing that collaboration and sharing knowledge reflect MSU core beliefs.
Leese has demonstrated professional service within MSU and the community. She currently serves on the WorkLife Advisory Committee, which promotes faculty and staff well-being by recognizing employees’ complicated lives in a well-rounded work experience. She participated in Alternative Spring Break as a staff adviser, leading groups of MSU students to serve in other countries while gaining knowledge of cultures and communities. She served on the Grand Ledge Downtown Development Activity to help promote economic growth and revitalization within the city’s business district and on the Spartan Child Development Center Board as vice president and to help establish and review policy, uphold bylaws, and ensure compliance.
Leese has made a positive impact on everyone she has worked with, from administrators to students. She believes in sharing knowledge across academic and administrative channels and reaches out to departments to solve issues and concerns that arise. She regularly encourages others to meet with constituents to share knowledge and to build relationships that utilize peoples’ areas of expertise to benefit the university. As University Distinguished Professor and former Acting President of MSU, Satish Udpa, said, “The welfare of the University is paramount to her, which influences every action she undertakes. Her contributions to Michigan State University’s core values of quality and inclusiveness and her commitment to integrity are exceptional.”
For her dedication, countless positive impacts on the university, and genuine commitment to MSU, Christine Leese is most deserving of this year’s Robert F. Banks Award for Institutional Leadership.
