Occupation / Current Position
Attorney & Trustee, Michigan State University
Education
B.A. Marketing - Michigan State University & Juris Doctorate - Wayne State University Law School
Qualifications and Experience
Incumbent
As a Trustee, I bring a commitment to public higher education, responsible governance, and student success. My vision is to keep MSU a top research university while ensuring affordability and opportunity for Michigan families. I support investing in academic excellence, faculty, research, workforce development, and student support services. Financially, I believe in transparent stewardship of university resources and prioritizing investments in areas that directly benefit students, like scholarships. MSU must stay true to our land-grant mission, while also strengthen partnerships with communities, labor, schools, and employers across MI.
The most pressing issues facing MSU are affordability, student well-being, institutional trust, and maintaining academic excellence in a changing higher education landscape. I support expanding financial aid, controlling costs, and reducing barriers for students from working and middle-class families. We must continue investing in mental health resources, campus safety, and student support services. Trustees must lead with transparency and accountability to strengthen public confidence. At the same time, we must recruit top faculty, support research innovation, and ensure graduates are prepared to lead in Michigan and beyond.
MSU has made meaningful progress in expanding access through financial aid, outreach, and recruitment efforts, but we must continue making college affordable for students from every region and economic background. I support increasing need-based aid, strengthening transfer pathways, and expanding partnerships with Michigan schools. Public universities have a responsibility to protect 1st Amendment rights while ensuring that all students can learn in a safe environment. I support policies that encourage vigorous debate, respect differing viewpoints, protect peaceful expression, and prevent conduct that disrupts the educational mission.
Occupation / Current Position
Director, Government & External Relations at The Henry Ford
Education
BA in International Relations, with a specialization in Muslim Studies; MS in Law Enforcement Intelligence and Analysis with Certificates in Homeland Security and Critical Thinking
Qualifications and Experience
Current Trustee at Michigan State University; District Director and Deputy Chief of Staff to a Member of Congress; Senior Corporate Relations Director at United Way for Southeastern Michigan
I first ran for the MSU Board in 2018 because I wanted to help my alma mater heal and move forward after the Larry Nassar scandal. Over the past 7 years, I've worked to strengthen accountability and improve campus culture. As someone who was still paying off student loans while serving on the Board, college affordability has always been personal to me. That's why I'm proud to have helped make MSU's tuition-free guarantee a reality. I'm seeking re-election because, while we've made progress, there's still important work ahead. I believe MSU's future depends on steady, transparent leadership, collaboration, and a continued focus on our people.
1. Affordabilty: We need to expand the Spartan Advantage Program; increase financial aid; and advocate for more government investment in higher ed.
2. Our People: To retain and attract top faculty and staff, we must continue investing in our people through competitive compensation, strong benefits, improved working conditions, and support for additional bargaining units.
3. Preparing Students: We must create a more supportive student experience by addressing barriers to success - ensuring students feel safe, connected to resources, and proactively meeting their needs rather than expecting them to navigate challenges on their own.
Since I've joined the Board, we've created a program called the Spartan Advantage Tuition-Free Guarantee to help in-state students attend MSU and continue to expand financial aid. We have also strengthened our partnerships with community colleges, so students can take advantage of the state's free community college efforts and transfer to MSU without losing credits. I remain committed to expanding all of these efforts so any student who wants to attend can do so. Free speech is a constitutional right and I will continue to support it on our campus; open dialogue is necessary for critical thinking and preservation of our democracy.
Occupation / Current Position
Retired
Education
BA University of Michigan Dearborn 1993
Qualifications and Experience
Common sense, experienced leader and a Spartan Mom. Former Novi City Councilwoman, former Novi Planning Commission member, and is currently a member of the Novi Economic Development Committee.
I bring experience in local government, including serving on Novi City Council, where I learned the importance of responsible growth, fiscal discipline, transparency and accountability to taxpayers. As a parent of two recent MSU graduates, including my daughter who graduated this year and my son three years ago, I have experienced MSU firsthand as a family. My vision is for an independent Board that provides meaningful oversight, asks difficult questions and puts students, taxpayers and MSU’s land-grant mission ahead of politics.
MSU needs to restore trust through transparency, accountability and responsible financial management. The Board’s job is to oversee administration—not simply approve its decisions. We need to examine spending, reduce unnecessary administrative costs, avoid costly legal battles and make affordability a priority for Michigan families. MSU also needs stable, thoughtful leadership focused on its academic and land-grant mission. Trustees must be willing to ask difficult questions and speak up when something is not right.
MSU should remain accessible and affordable to Michigan residents while maintaining high academic standards. As a taxpayer-supported land-grant university, MSU has a special responsibility to Michigan families. Controlling unnecessary spending can reduce pressure for tuition increases. Free speech is equally fundamental. Universities should expose students to diverse ideas and teach them how to think, not what to think. The Board should protect constitutional rights and viewpoint diversity while recognizing that threats, violence and vandalism are not protected speech.
Occupation / Current Position
Farmer; State Senator
Education
Bachelor's Degree - Davenport University; Great Lakes Leadership Academy - Michigan State University
Qualifications and Experience
Decades as owner and operator of Victory Farms, a specialty crop farm in West Michigan. Three terms serving in the Michigan House of Representatives, and two terms in the Michigan Senate.
I have served for more than a decade in state government helping to secure critical support for programs at Michigan State University. MSU is our nation's first land grant university, dedicated for the study of agriculture. I have worked in the field of agriculture my entire life as a farmer and business owner, so I understand the critical role that MSU has played in advancing agriculture with game changing research. I bring leadership experience, and a steady hand to provide stability that is so desparately needed at Michigan State. Additionally, I have been a champion for transparency in government and will bring that approach to MSU.
MSU has continued to be on the wrong side of the headlines that have come as a result of the failed leadership on the board of trustees. We have had 7 presidents in the last 8 years at MSU and significant turnover throughout the leadership of the university. We need to stabilize the board, begin to operate like a professional organization, stop the political games, and get MSU back on track. The last eight years have been extremely difficult at MSU, but we have a chance to bring a balanced approach moving forward and get back on track.
I believe MSU can do a better job of supporting free speech on campus. I always say, we must teach students how to think, not what to think. There is a place for structure in free speech on campus, and what is most critical is that those rules must be applied fairly to all viewpoints on campus. As a trustee, I will be a voice for free and fair speech on campus.
Occupation / Current Position
Firefighter; Liaison Officer
Education
Michigan State University, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, B.S. (2), 1994
Qualifications and Experience
Ecologist; US Incident Management Teams; US Dept of Interior (ret.); State Representative (AZ, fmr.); Radio Host, Impact-89FM, WDBM, East Lansing (fmr.)
MSU's Board of Trustees is broken & needs change. 86% of MSU faculty recently voted they're not confident in the Board. Ongoing Board turmoil pushed MSU President Guskiewicz to say it's an 'unsustainable situation'. The Board has failed MSU, derailed by outta touch personal agendas, secrecy & poor leadership. As a firefighter, I'm a problem solver using my independent style, leadership & positive teamwork for change. I'm not a lawyer or lobbyist. I won't sell out. I will listen & work with everyone for a stronger MSU. I'm the only candidate from rural Michigan & Lansing. My knowledge in science, agriculture & natural resources is key for MSU.
MSU generates $9.7B a year for Michigan's economy, a leading driver of research, jobs & innovation. 12,000 MSU employees & 306,000 alumni are in every Michigan county, essential to our communities & economies. Unwise job & budget cuts have hurt MSU & Michigan. My priorities for a stronger MSU include: Affordable tuition; Pro-Labor; Academic & athletic excellence; Rural support; Agriculture, natural resources, energy & water; Pro-science; Sustainable budget; No ICE on campus; Divest from Israel govt/weapons; No data centers/limit AI. I'll bring an independent, transparent & positive visionary style for progress with MSU's President & alumni.
Tuition & cost of living are too expensive & student loan debt is keeping people down. Affordability must be a top priority, working toward a goal of earning free tuition for Michigan high school grads. Trump's madness toward free speech is a threat to us all. MSU should be 'fighting with a vim' against heavy-handed federal attacks on Spartans' independence, but instead we've seen weak capitulation. MSU's Board & President have failed to protect free speech. Students & staff are now being targeted for using the same non-violent strategies that helped bring down racist apartheid in South Africa in the 90s. Free speech at MSU must be defended.
Occupation / Current Position
Manager at White Bros. Music
Education
MSU undergraduate in Political Science and pre-law
Qualifications and Experience
MSU student, instructor for White Bros. Music apprentice program
As an MSU student, I learned that some degrees are worth more than others, but there was little guidance on which degree would meet my academic and financial goals.
Studying independently I learned that economic development affects all communities in many ways. As a cross-discipline field though, it is not offered as a major. I became a Certified Economic Developer and encourage MSU to develop programs in that field.
For fifty years I have served the Lansing area at White Bros Music, and trained people in our apprentice program to service and restore instruments. Other assets are my experience as an entrepreneur and community activist.
Affordability is the number one issue. Tuition, housing, and food are expensive and many people can’t fund four years of study without big loans. More two-year associate degrees could be offered in high-demand career fields like IT and nursing.
The cost of food is mostly beyond our control, but Trustees can lobby the government to include higher ed in the Farm to School program. Maybe MSU’s agricultural programs could supply more fresh produce, dairy, and meat for its own use than it already does.
As for housing, take a fresh look at rebuilding the abandoned Spartan Village apartments. Brick buildings last a long time if maintained.
MSU is very accessible to Michigan residents. The number of online courses is impressive. The Detroit satellite campus and many clinical medicine campuses are effective too.
Free-speech actions by some Board members ended in lawsuits and executive turmoil. Failing to support leaders and public disagreements are useless. I support a Board focused on leadership, not lawsuits.
The MSU policy summary says: “the student’s most essential right is the right to learn. The student also has duties … to refrain from interference with those rights of others.” The Board must “strive to strike that balance between maximum freedom and necessary order.”
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Occupation / Current Position
attorney -- solo practice & remote document-review work
Education
BA cum laude 1978 Macalester College; JD cum laude 2008 Cooley Law School
Qualifications and Experience
I’ve worked 10+ years each in government, business, non-profits, and law. And I've experienced MSU as a student, too -- took classes to prepare me to teach English in Japan.
EXPERIENCE: I’ve worked 10+ years each in government, business, non-profits, and law. I’ve watched over enough budgets to know how to protect the people’s money – and enough information to know when we need more of it made public.
VISION: MSU was called the nation’s worst-governed major public university in 2023. But the scandals and mismanagement haven’t stopped yet. I will work to rebuild MSU into a truly public university based on its land-grant history (while honoring those who were here first), its natural network with libraries statewide and the Extension Service, and its site ideal for overseeing state government.
A truly public university must be a beacon of transparency and free speech. MSU fails in these essentials: it’s exempt from FOIA, gagging board members, and attacking students and staff who speak out. I’ve pushed for Freedom of Information and Open Meetings as a citizen and a lawyer; as a Trustee, I’ll lead MSU to do better in both areas.
I oppose MSU’s punishing protests against genocide in Gaza, as I deplore historical oppression of others. I’ll represent and serve MSU students, MSU workers and families, and all Michiganders. That will draw better students, faculty, and staff – boosting MSU’s reputation, governance, and economy.
The Green Party platform calls for loan-free public education from pre-K through college, graduate school, and trade schools. If this ambitious plan needs a starting place, MSU is in great position to serve as a model (as it did for the Morrill Act in 1862). MSU can build a statewide network of educational opportunities at all levels, in person and remote, working through the Extension Service and with public libraries and other public schools.
As noted above, MSU is moving in several wrong ways on free speech. The Board should un-gag its members and stop violating the rights of students, faculty, and other community members.
Occupation / Current Position
Graduate Student
As an upcoming graduate of 6 years, I am deeply familiar with the experiences, struggles, and needs of undergraduate and graduate students. As a member of the working class party, I know the future of the university’s academic, financial, and community wellbeing hinges on decisions that need to start thoroughly involving the working class students that fund such priorities.
The university, like many others, continues to use the working class students as free labor and money. The total cost of attendance for all students has increased ~26% since 2015 and yet pay rates have not kept up at all. This is unacceptable and has to change.
Education is a human right. Everyone should have the opportunity to get an advanced degree. I would support any action that aids in breaking down barriers that prevent Michigan residents from pursuing their right to an education. These actions could include lowering tuition rates, offering free meal plans, and providing free childcare to students instead of diverting funds to line the pockets of administrative officials. I support free speech on campus.
