Three visionary leaders will address Michigan State University’s newest graduates at this year’s spring commencement ceremonies. From navigating the complexities of state government and pioneering human-centered artificial intelligence to advancing the frontiers of higher education, this year’s speakers embody the spirit of leadership, innovation and resilience that defines what it means to be a Spartan.
“As our graduates prepare to enter an increasingly complex world, they are joined by speakers who have spent their careers at the intersection of leadership and global change,” said MSU President Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Ph.D. “The collective expertise of alumni Gov. Whitmer and Christopher Fernandez, as well as distinguished professor Ann Austin demonstrates that an education from Michigan State University is the foundation to solve our most pressing challenges.”
Christopher Fernandez, founder and principal of Agentic Connect, will address graduates with master’s and educational specialist degrees at 9 a.m. on Friday, May 1. Fernandez holds a master’s degree in human resources and labor relations from Michigan State University and is the former chief HR AI officer and CVP of Microsoft.
At 12:30 p.m., Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will address graduates at the Spring Convocation. Whitmer, who holds a Bachelor of Arts in communication and a law degree magna cum laude from the MSU College of Law, has signed nearly 1,600 bipartisan bills into law and has received numerous accolades, including the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award and the Harry S. Truman Award for Distinguished Service in Support of National Defense.
Finally, at 2:30 p.m., University Distinguished Professor Ann Austin will address doctoral candidates, including doctor of philosophy, education, nursing practice and musical arts. Austin has served on the faculty in Higher, Adult and Lifelong Education in the College of Education since 1991 and was recently named a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, or AAAS — an elite national distinction established in 1874 that is considered one of the most distinctive accolades in the scientific community. AAAS fellows are recognized for their significant contributions to advance science or its applications.
Speaker biographies
Christopher Fernandez is the founder of Agentic Connect and a former senior executive with over 30 years of experience in the technology and automotive industries. Most recently, he served as corporate vice president and chief AI officer for Microsoft Human Resources, where he led the global strategy for responsible AI deployment and developed the concept of “hyper scaled human thought.” His 20-year career at Microsoft was preceded by a decade at General Motors, where he focused on large-scale transformation and systems thinking.
Now, focused on reshaping how individuals thrive in an AI-driven economy, his work sits at the intersection of behavioral science, labor economics and artificial intelligence. Fernandez advocates for human-centered AI that expands capability and creates new economic opportunities. He is a proud graduate of Michigan State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in American public affairs with an emphasis in econometrics from James Madison College and a master’s in human resources and labor relations from the School of Human Resources and Labor Relations. His commitment to MSU remains steadfast through his dedicated service on various boards, his philanthropic efforts and his ongoing contributions to the university’s mission and its students.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is a lifelong Michigander focused on delivering results for Michigan residents. She has signed nearly 1,600 bipartisan bills and six balanced budgets, with key achievements in cutting taxes for seniors and families, improving school funding and repairing over 26,500 lane miles of roads.
By lowering education costs, leading on clean energy and reducing bureaucracy, her administration has positioned Michigan as a top state for business and global investment. Gov. Whitmer remains dedicated to expanding personal freedoms, housing affordability and workforce development. A graduate of Michigan State with both a bachelor’s and a law degree, she resides in Lansing with her husband, Marc Mallory, DDS, and their family.
Ann Austin is a University Distinguished Professor at Michigan State University, where she has held numerous leadership roles, including interim dean of the College of Education and interim vice provost for Faculty and Academic Staff Affairs. A co-founder of the Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching and Learning, or CIRTL, she has also served as a program director at the National Science Foundation and co-chair of the National Academy of Sciences’ Roundtable on Systemic Change in Undergraduate STEM Education.
Her research focuses on organizational change, academic careers and inclusive workplaces in higher education. A Fulbright fellow and past president of the Association for the Study of Higher Education, Austin has worked in over 15 countries and published extensively on faculty development and gender equity. She holds degrees from Bates College and Syracuse University, as well as an M.A. and doctorate from the University of Michigan.
