Shawn Starr who has been president of the MSU branch of the American Federation of State, County, Municipal Employees Local 1585 since 2018 and was a member of the presidential search committee, shared these remarks welcoming Kevin Guskiewicz, MSU president-elect, at the Dec. 8 Board of Trustees meeting. 

As the president of Local 1585, representing approximately 850 employees across campus, my role on the presidential search committee was to assure that support staff and labor unions had a voice in the process of helping to hire MSU’s new president.

It was a privilege to participate on the committee. Dr. Guskiewicz’s  28 years at UNC and in higher education have positioned him well to take on such an important role here at MSU — at time when once again our university needs stable leadership.

I believe the hiring of Dr. Guskiewicz is an outstanding hire and a great step in moving Michigan State University forward. You only have to look at the outpouring of support he has received from UNC and their attempts to keep him there.

I know that I can speak for the other union leaders on campus when I say we all look forward in building a cooperative working relationship with our new president that continues the open line of communication started by Interim President Teresa K. Woodruff, Ph.D.

I would like to congratulate Dr. Guskiewicz. I look forward to working together and welcome him and his family to Michigan State University.