MSU trustees host engagement forum with campus community  

Moving Michigan State University forward through perspective, experience and collaborative engagement, the MSU Board of Trustees held its first-ever stakeholder engagement forum today — hearing directly from the Spartan community on an array of topics.

“It is incumbent of each of us to be good stewards of Michigan State,” said MSU President Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Ph.D. “Bringing together a broad cross section of the campus community to engage in thought-provoking, student success–centered discussions provides valuable insight to continue shaping a future where Michigan State leads with innovation, integrity and a shared commitment to excellence.”

Students, faculty, staff, university leadership and alumni were invited to contribute to discussions with trustees on the following five topics:

• Student Health and Wellbeing

• Community, Civic Engagement and Extension: The Role of MSU Extension and Outreach and Engagement

• Graduate and Professional Training and Research: The MSU Research Enterprise

• Infrastructure, Technology and Teaching Innovation / Facilities Planning: Opportunities and Challenges

• Undergraduate Student Experience

A campus survey was used to solicit ideas from the community to help shape the forum. The information gathered through the survey informed the selection of the “undergraduate student experience,” as the fifth theme of the forum.

“Meaningful dialogue with our Spartan community is a crucial part of the work we do in representing MSU,” said Board Chair Kelly Tebay. “Stakeholder engagement affords us the opportunity to create a greater understanding of what matters most to Spartans and how we collaboratively navigate future challenges. The Board of Trustees appreciates everyone’s involvement in making today a success, and we look forward to continuing these conversations as we shape MSU for the future together.”

In December 2024, the Board of Trustees approved a revision to the board bylaws, adding a stakeholder engagement forum in early September. The forum was developed as an innovative way to broaden engagement among trustees and the campus community with the goal of fostering a robust dialogue and greater opportunity for meaningful discussion.

Trustees engaged the following campus leaders as presenters for the five themed discussions:

• Student Health and Wellbeing
  • Alexis Travis, assistant vice president and assistant provost for University Health and Wellbeing
• Community, Civic Engagement and Extension: The Role of MSU Extension and Outreach and Engagement
  • Quentin Tyler, director of MSU Extension and senior associate dean for University Outreach and Engagement
  • Kwesi Brookins, vice provost for University Outreach and Engagement
• Graduate and Professional Training and Research: The MSU Research Enterprise
  • Douglas Gage, vice president for Research and Innovation
• Infrastructure, Technology and Teaching Innovation / Facilities Planning: Opportunities and Challenges
  • Barb Kranz, assistant provost for Institutional Space Planning and Management
  • Dan Bollman, vice president for Infrastructure Planning and Facilities
• Undergraduate Student Experience
  • Mark Largent, vice provost and dean of Undergraduate Education
  • Renata Opoczynski, assistant provost for undergraduate student success

“This inaugural stakeholder engagement forum is the result of thoughtful planning and collaboration,” said Pero Dagbovie, vice provost for Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies and dean of the Graduate School. “Exploring a wide array of topics important to the MSU community and higher education more generally, the sessions promise to lead to insightful dialogues, productive partnerships and strategic thinking.”

Forum participants were selected in a variety of ways, including by invitation, based on outreach to the board, due to experience and affiliations with university organizations, and as a result of leadership positions. Faculty, staff, students and alumni in attendance represent a variety of university affiliations, experience, expertise and perspectives. The contributions of various points of view will help university leaders and the Board of Trustees in their planning as they work together to move MSU forward.

The next regularly scheduled Board of Trustees meeting is Oct. 31.