Michigan State University President Kevin Guskiewicz announced he’s headed Clemson University on Wednesday, May 27, a move that will set off a new presidential search at MSU — a process that likely will take months, if previous searches are an indication.
The search to replace former MSU President Lou Anna Simon, who resigned in January 2018, was more than a year long. She was followed by former Gov. John Engler, who resigned as interim president within a year, and then finally by President Samuel Stanley Jr. in August 2019.
Stanley himself resigned on Oct. 13, 2022, citing a loss of confidence in the Board of Trustees, and worked his last day at MSU on Nov. 4, 2022.
Before hiring Guskiewicz in a unanimous vote on Dec. 8, 2023, MSU Provost Teresa Woodruff served as the university’s interim president for more than a year after trustees appointed her on Oct. 31, 2022.
The process to find a new president could last months, former MSU Board Chairperson Dianne Byrum told the Lansing State Journal in 2023.
During Woodruff’s tenure, trustees had said in October 2023 that a president would be announced by Thanksgiving that year, but the university was dealing with two major controversies, including the firing of former football coach Mel Tucker and a dispute between Trustee Brianna Scott who accused Trustee Rema Vassar of inappropriate conduct, leading to faculty members calling for Vassar’s removal. Vassar later resigned as the Board of Trustees chairperson, but remains a trustee.
The search process that resulted in Guskiewicz being hired did not conclude until mid-December 2023 and Guskiewicz began his tenure in March 2024.
While the circumstances are different, MSU could be looking at a six- to 12-month search for a new leader.
When did Kevin Guskiewicz resign?
Michigan State University President Kevin Guskiewicz announced on May 27 that he’s leaving the university for a job at Clemson University.
How long did the last search for a president take?
The last search for a president took the university almost a full year.
In January 2023, then board Chairperson Byrum said the first step in the search would be to complete a board review of university governance and bylaws to prepare for the search. The board also created a search committee.
When was Guskiewicz hired?
MSU announced it had chosen Guskiewicz in December 2023. His term started on Monday, March 4, 2024. He had been chancellor of the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill for four years.
How much did Guskiewicz make at MSU? Did he receive any raises?
Guskiewicz was paid a base salary of $975,000 a year and a variety of fringe benefits, according to his initial contract.
In addition to his salary, Guskiewicz received $150,000 a year in deferred compensation, as well as the use of the presidential residence, Cowles House, membership in the University Club and the Lansing Country Club, a vehicle and driver from the police department and a leased vehicle for business and personal use.
He received a 4% raise in the fall of 2024.
MSU’s Board of Trustees also approved a 1.5% raise for Guskiewicz on Oct. 31, 2025, despite making cuts across the university.
Earlier this month, the MSU Board voted to nearly double his salary during a special meeting, in an apparent reaction to his frustration with board members. He apparently did not sign that new contract.
Jalen Williams is a trending reporter at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at jawilliams1@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Recent history suggests search for MSU president could be long process
Reporting by Jalen Williams, USA TODAY NETWORK / Detroit Free Press
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