Dear Spartans,
In October, I announced that Vennie Gore, senior vice president for Student Life and Engagement, would be appointed to executive vice president for administration. I also announced that the Division of Student Life and Engagement would be restructured into two divisions, the Division of Residential and Hospitality Services and the Division of Student Affairs.
I am pleased to announce the interim leadership appointments for key roles within both divisions, effective Jan. 1. These appointments will guide us through this pivotal period as we continue to strengthen our support for the Spartan community and advance our mission of excellence and inclusion.
Dr. Erin Carter will serve as interim associate vice president for Residential and Hospitality Services. Dr. Carter currently serves as chief of staff for Student Life and Engagement and has been a dedicated member of the MSU community since 2008. Her prior roles include serving as a community liaison for the Division of Student Affairs and Services and as a graduate assistant to the department chair for Educational Administration. Dr. Carter earned her doctorate in higher, adult and lifelong learning, or HALE, from Michigan State University. Her deep institutional knowledge and steadfast commitment to student success make her exceptionally well prepared for this role.
Dr. Allyn Shaw and Dr. Genyne Royal will jointly assume interim leadership of Student Affairs in their roles as assistant vice presidents.
Dr. Shaw, currently assistant vice president for Student Development and Leadership and dean of students, has been a key leader at MSU since 2013. With prior roles including associate director of the Office of Faculty and Organizational Development and director of Leadership Development Programs, Dr. Shaw has been instrumental in shaping impactful student initiatives. He earned his doctorate in HALE from Michigan State University. His previous experiences at the University of Richmond and the University of Tennessee further reflect his depth of expertise in higher education.
Dr. Royal, currently assistant vice president for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging and assistant dean for Student Success Initiatives in Undergraduate Education, brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to this role. Dr. Royal started at MSU in 2014 as a neighborhood director and has served in several roles in Undergraduate Education working on student success initiatives. She joined the Student Life and Engagement team in 2021 in an interim role and was later confirmed in that role. A graduate of Texas A&M University, Dr. Royal earned her doctorate in higher education administration. She also holds a master’s degree in counseling from North Carolina A&T State University and a bachelor’s degree in vocal music from Shaw University.
These individuals bring decades of experience, institutional knowledge and a shared vision to their interim roles. Their leadership will be essential as we build on our collective efforts to foster an inclusive, supportive and thriving environment for all Spartans.
Please join me in congratulating Dr. Carter, Dr. Shaw and Dr. Royal on their interim appointments. I am confident in their ability to provide steady leadership during this transition and to help position MSU for continued success. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to our students and our mission.
Sincerely,
Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Ph.D.
(pronounced GUS-ka-wits)
President
Professor, Department of Kinesiology