What could the search for the next MSU president look like?

EAST LANSING, Mich. (NEWS 10) — Michigan State University is now looking for its seventh president in eight years after Kevin Guskiewicz was hired at Clemson University for the same role earlier this week. But what will this search for his replacement look like?

MSU Board of Trustees Chair Brianna Scott said in a statement to News 10 Lansing on Wednesday that a “transition plan” was coming soon.

While officials have not revealed any details about what that process may look like, a look back at the search that resulted in MSU hiring Guskiewicz in 2023 gives some insight.

MSU hired the firm Isaacson, Miller to assist in the search about five months after former president Samuel Stanley officially left the school. MSU said that firm had “significant experience” in helping universities and colleges hire leadership.

The firm also held several virtual open forums for the MSU community to provide feedback and qualities they’d like to see in the next president.

The search ultimately ended with the university hiring Guskiewicz in December of 2023, about eight months after the university named the firm they’d be using in the search.

That means it took a little more than a year to name a new president after Stanley left. Whether the search for Guskiewicz’s replacement follows a similar timeline remains to be seen.

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In the wake of Wednesday’s announcement, some Spartan community members are sharing their hopes for the next leader of the university.

“I’d really like to hire someone who is affiliated with the history of Michigan State University,” Okemos resident Kalifa Bofaris told News 10 Lansing. “They know the background of the school, the history of the school, and I prefer someone who is an alumnus of the school.”

While the last search was happening, Teresa Woodruff stepped into the role as interim president.

The university has not yet named an interim president in this latest search.

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