Following an extensive search, associate professor and state and local government finance expert Eric Scorsone has been appointed secretary and chief of staff to the Michigan State University Board of Trustees. Scorsone replaces Brian Quinn, who has served as acting secretary since August 2021.
Scorsone will assume his new role Feb. 1 and his appointment will be finalized during the Board’s next regularly scheduled meeting Feb. 11.
“We are pleased to welcome Eric into his new role,” said MSU Board Chair Dianne Byrum. “His expertise and experience in local and state governance, along with his commitment to Michigan State, is a tremendous asset and resource to us all.”
Scorsone is director of the MSU Extension Center for Local Government Finance and Policy and an associate professor in the department of Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics. He has served as senior financial advisor for the mayor of Flint and as deputy state treasurer. He is currently a gubernatorial appointee to the Michigan Municipal Stability Board, which he chairs.
Scorsone joined the university in 1993 as a teaching and research assistant in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. He rejoined the university in 2005 after developing award-winning extension programs in rural health economics and economic development at the University of Kentucky and working in Colorado’s Office of State Planning and Budget and as a senior economist for the city of Aurora, Colorado.
“It has been a great honor to work at MSU over the past 16 years and I look forward to serving in this new role to help move MSU forward,” said Scorsone.
Scorsone’s duties will include serving as primary liaison between trustees and MSU’s administration; advising the board and university administrators and staff on board policies and procedures; and coordinating and assisting with administrative needs for Board meetings.
Scorsone completed his undergraduate education at Loyola University of Chicago, received his master’s degree in agricultural economics from Michigan State and his doctorate in agricultural economics from Colorado State University.