By The Michigan State Police
LANSING, MICH. – Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division (MSP/EMHSD) Commander Capt. Kevin Sweeney is pleased to announce Ms. Natisha Foster, who serves as the Emergency Manager at Michigan State University (MSU), as the 2025 Michigan Professional Emergency Manager (PEM) of the Year.
The PEM of the Year Award recognizes an emergency management professional who displays outstanding professional ethics, leadership, and innovation, and offers essential contributions to the field of emergency management in the state of Michigan.
“Ms. Foster exemplifies the professionalism, leadership, and dedication that define the emergency management community,” said Capt. Kevin Sweeney, deputy state director of Emergency Management and commander of the MSP/EMHSD. “Through training, planning, and collaboration, she has strengthened preparedness at Michigan State University and across the state. Her leadership and commitment to sharing lessons learned make her truly deserving of this year’s award.”
Ms. Foster has more than a decade of experience in the field of emergency management. Most recently, she led the redevelopment of MSU’s Emergency Operations Plan, expanded Business Continuity Planning efforts, and coordinated a comprehensive training and exercise program that included full-scale active threat exercises and drills. She also played a critical leadership role in advancing the modernization of MSU’s Emergency Operations Center through a federally funded upgrade initiative.
In February 2023, Ms. Foster’s expertise was instrumental during an active shooter incident at MSU, where years of planning, interagency coordination, and training contributed to an effective unified response involving dozens of responding agencies. Beyond campus, she has shared lessons learned and best practices with universities, emergency managers, and public safety professionals across the country, helping strengthen resilience throughout the emergency management community.
Through her strategic vision and collaborative approach, Ms. Foster has strengthened preparedness and response capabilities across the university while building lasting partnerships with local, state, and federal agencies.
For more information on how to prepare before, during and after an emergency or disaster, visit MIREADY and follow MSP/EMHSD on X and Facebook.
